Ishan Ganda grinds Services attack

Ishan Ganda's undefeated 83 was highlight of the opening day of the North Zone Ranji Trophy league match between Services and Haryana at the Palam Air Force Grounds, Delhi, on Thursday. At close of play, Haryana, put in to bat, were 234/3 off 90 overs.

Padamjit Sehrawat and Jaswir Singh gave Haryana a good start putting on 43 runs. At this stage Haryana lost Jaswir Singh (23 with four boundaries) in the 17th over. At the stroke of lunch, Sehrawat (43 with five boundaries) was adjudged lbw to Arun Sharma in the 35th over and Haryana were now 93/2. Ishan Ganda was looking good on 18.

The second session of play belonged to Haryana as Services failed to make a breakthrough. Ganda completed his half century and was unbeaten on 54 with captain Parinder Sharma batting on 33. Haryana moved on 169/2 in 65 overs as the players went in for their cup of tea.

In the sixth over after the break, S Ghag gave Services the breakthrough as Parinder Sharma was dismissed for 39. and Haryana were 188/3. The skipper and Ganda added 95 runs for the third wicket off 36 overs. Rajesh Puri joined Ganda and played sedately to finish the day at an unbeaten 29 with three boundaries. Though Services took the new ball after 86 overs they failed to make an impression on Ganda who seemed set for a big score. He has already spent 304 minutes at the crease, faced 214 balls and has hit eleven of them to the ropes. S Ghag returned the best figures for Services with 29-7-67-2. But the toast of the day was certainly Ishan Ganda.