HP makes a strong reply to Haryana's mammoth total

Unperturbed by a mammoth 457 for 5 declared from Haryana and a fine bowling display by Amit Mishra (4 for 72), Himachal Pradesh proceeded to score 231 for 4 on the third day of their North Zone Ranji Trophy clash at the Paddal Ground in Mandi on Sunday.

Resuming at 34 for no loss, overnight batsmen, stumper Arun Verma (37) and Nischal Gaur (64) forged a century stand. With the partnership worth 110, Arun was the first to return to the pavilion, trapped leg before by Mishra. This brought skipper Rajeev Nayyar (4) to the centre. The other opener Gaur did not last long and departed in the 60th over, caught by Jasvir off Mishra after a 232 minute stay at the crease.

Amit Sharma (58 not out) joined his captain and took the score on to 150 when the latter fell to a catch by Ishan Ganda off Mishra. After the fall of Nayyar, Amit and Varindar Sharma (45) put on 70 runs for the fourth wicket. Varindar Sharma was trapped in front of the stumps by Mishra with the score at 220. Chetan Kumar (6 not out) along with Amit ensured that HP went into stumps with no further hiccups.