Ranji Trophy: Saurashtra No. 9 Parth Bhut haunts Punjab with century

Saurashtra’s Parth Bhut celebrates his century v Punjab yesterday. Pic/BCCI

Batting at No. 9, bowler Parth Bhut shone with the bat and saved Saurashtra the blushes with a gritty century on Day One of their Ranji Trophy quarter-final against Punjab here on Tuesday.

Bhut was yet to open his account when Saurashtra lost their eighth wicket for 147 at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium.

However, thanks to the 25-year-old left-arm spinner's unbeaten knock of 111 and his last-wicket partnership of 95 runs with Yuvrajsinh Dodiya (17), the hosts could stretch their total to 303 before getting bowled out with three overs still remaining in the day.

Akash Deep shines for Bengal

Meanwhile, pacer Akash Deep led Bengal's impressive show with a four-wicket haul as Jharkhand were bowled out for a paltry 173 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.

The Bengal pace trio of Akash Deep, Mukesh Kumar (3-61) and Ishan Porel (1-26) claimed seven wickets between them to revel in bowling-friendly conditions after the home team skipper Manoj Tiwary won the toss.

Bhui, Shinde put Andhra on top

In other match, a fluent century by Ricky Bhui and his association with Karan Shinde helped Andhra overcome the blow dealt by skipper Hanuma Vihari's injury on Day One against defending champions Madhya Pradesh at Indore.

Thanks to Bhui's unbeaten 115 and Shinde's 83 not out, Andhra ended the day at a strong 262 for two.

Also Read: Ranji Trophy: Yashasvi Jaiswal boost for Mumbai ahead of do-or-die Maha clash

Karnataka's Venkatesh claims fifer

At Bangalore, medium-pacer M Venkatesh sizzled with a five-wicket haul as Karnataka produced a sensational bowling effort to bundle out Uttarakhand for a paltry 116. Karnataka were 123-0 at stumps.

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