Ranji Trophy: Dogra double ton puts Puducherry in command | Cricket News

CHENNAI: Paras Dogra (253, 30×4, 7×6) scored his highest individual score in first-class cricket as Cricket Association of Puducherry (CAP) finished Day 1 of their Ranji clash against Sikkim in Wayanad at 418-4 on Thursday. The 34-year-old, who walked in after the fall of opener Thalaivan Sargunam (0) in the first over of the day, looked in good touch from the start. “There was something in it for the quicks in the first hour and Sikkim’s medium-pacer Ishwar Chaudhary was bowling a tidy line. It was important at that point of time to stitch a partnership which I and Viknesh managed,” Paras told TOI.

In the company of Viknesh, Paras added 285 runs for the second wicket in 60.3 overs that put Puducherry in command. Paras was the aggressor of the two – bringing his 50 in 66 deliveries. In the next 54 balls, Paras had notched up his 22nd first-class hundred at the end of the first session. “Once I gauged the pace of the wicket, it was easy to play my strokes as the outfield was fast,” Paras said.

Paras continued to showcase his aggressive intent in the post-lunch session as well, and reached his double century from 210 deliveries. “This is my 8th double century (in first-class matches) and reaching the landmark is always special. I am pleased with the fact that my knock helped the team finish the day on a strong note,” he said. Despite losing Viknesh in the second session, Paras didn’t show any signs of stopping thanks to a 101-run partnership for the third wicket with skipper Rohit Damodaren (59, 6×4, 1×6) that brought Puducherry close to the 400-run mark. Left-arm spinner Bipul Sharma’s (2 for 103) double strikes in the final session was the only solace for the battered Sikkim.

Brief scores: Puducherry 418 for 4 in 90 overs (Paras Dogra 253, M Viknesh 78, D Rohit 59) vs Sikkim