Rajiv Nayyar stars for Himachal

Chamba: A fine unbeaten knock of 89 by skipper Rajiv Nayyar helped Himachal Pradesh to pile up 219 for three in reply to Jammu & Kashmir's first innings total of 249 on the second day of the North Zone Ranji trophy league match at the Police stadium here on Monday.

Nischal Gaur and Ajay Mannu began the proceedings for Himachal Pradesh on a good note before the latter was bowled by Surinder Singh for 18 with the total on 38. Then skipper Rajiv Nayyar joined Nischal Gaur and both played well to take the score to 185 with a second wicket partnership of 146 runs. Both these batsman scored centuries against Jammu Kashmir last year. Nischal Gaur was unfortunate when he was caught by Ranjeet Bali off Ashwani Gupta for 69. He was at the crease for 312 minutes, faced 227 balls and hit six boundaries.

Arun Verma joined Nayyar but he did not stay long and was brilliantly caught by Dhruv off Surinder Singh for 18 with the total at 217. At stumps Rajiv Nayyar was batting on 89 with the help of 11 hits to the fence and a huge six. He has so far stayed 299 minutes at the crease, facing 228 balls. Medium pacer Surinder Singh took two wickets for 67 runs.