Ranji Trophy 2026-27 | Ton-up Vihaan keeps Punjab in the hunt against Assam

Punjab’s Vihaan Malhotra (103, 208b, 11x4) struck a century on First Class debut but it was not enough to dispel Assam’s stake at a first-innings lead on day three of their Ranji Trophy round one match at the New PCA Stadium here.

Evidently a first-innings shoot-off after rain washed out the first day, the contest was turning one-sided when Vihaan took the wheel in a 137-run opening partnership with Harnoor Pannu (54, 132b, 7x4). But Punjab lost five wickets for 100 runs on either side of tea.

Salil Arora and Emanjot Singh Chahal arrested the collapse with a 50-run sixth-wicket partnership, but Punjab was at 287 for five at stumps, still 86 behind.

Both Vihaan and Harnoor were true to their kind — languid, left-handed batters — and plundered the off-side in the morning session.

Harnoor had just slogged Amlanjyoti Das through the on-side, shortly after his 121-ball half-century, when he was caught in two minds on a delivery outside off against Sarupam Purkayastha and edged to the ’keeper.

Vihaan blundered on 95, poking a delivery outside off from Mukhtar Hussain but was dropped by the wicketkeeper. Mukhtar made him play with the angle and got the ball to change line and crash into the off-stump but a no ball check got Vihaan another life on 101.

Sandwiched in between was Uday Saharan’s attacking intent, which was cut short by a lapse in concentration. Shortly after a verbal skirmish with Sibsankar Roy, he was trapped in front off Purkayastha.

There was no let-off a third time as Mukhtar pinned Vihaan with a delivery that came in after pitching. Assam gave away just 42 runs in the time it got Ramandeep Singh run out and Jashanpreet Sidhu leg-before off Amlanjyoti.

With the second new ball just two overs old, Assam will walk out on the fourth morning with its tails up, hoping to find a crack in the nagging sixth-wicket partnership and running through the tail that will follow.

The scores: Assam — 1st innings: 373.

Punjab — 1st innings: Vihaan Malhotra lbw b Mukhtar 103, Harnoor Pannu c Ghadigaonkar b Purkayastha 54, Uday Saharan lbw b Purkayastha 30, Jashanpreet Sidhu lbw b Amlanjyoti 22, Ramandeep Singh (run out) Denish 17, Salil Arora (batting) 25, Emanjot Chahal (batting) 28; Extras (b-1, nb-7): 8; Total (for five wkts. in 96 overs): 287.

Fall of wickets: 1-137, 2-195, 3-195, 4-226, 5-237.

Assam bowling: Mukhtar 23-5-79-1, Dipjyoti 9-2-40-0, Amlanjyoti 25-2-54-1, Purkayastha 18-3-52-2, Mohit 21-2-61-0.