Ranji Trophy 2026-27: Punjab pacers set the tone against Assam on rain-hit opening day

File photo: Umesh Yadav struck twice on his Punjab debut. | Photo Credit: EMMANUAL YOGINI

Despite bad light and rain curtailing the opening day to just 23 overs, Punjab pacers Umesh Yadav (2/18) and Gurnoor Brar found ample time to call the shots, and their new-ball burst left Assam precariously placed at 68 for three in their Ranji Trophy first-round fixture at the New PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh on Sunday.

Gurnoor needed just six deliveries to entice Nibir Deka into having a poke outside the off-stump line and draw his edge to wicketkeeper Salil Arora.

Umesh had a wicket-maiden of his own when Rishav Das drove through the wrong line and was castled through his gate.

Two down after four overs and without a run on board, Assam was again turning to Denish Das (38, 64b, 6x4) for a rescue.

He picked the first boundary of the innings, smothering a rising delivery from Gurnoor through the cordon.

Rajveer Singh showed intent to hang around but gave in to a tempting outswinger from Umesh and was snaffled by Salil.

Umesh’s marathon seven-over spell would have been even more economical, if not for Denish, who picked two boundaries with a straight drive and a whip past mid-wicket.

After having negotiated with Umesh’s movement, facing Ramandeep Singh would have been a cake walk, and Assam truly broke the rut after that point.

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Sibsankar Roy was streaky in picking runs, but they were just as effective in lifting pressure. He nearly mistimed a late cut off Harpreet Brar but ended up with a boundary.

He went for the same option off left-arm orthodox Emanjot Singh Chahal and saw an edge spray wide of Uday Saharan at first slip.

Saharan’s plea to get his pacers back and curb the runs was shot down twice by the umpires owing to poor light.

By the 23rd over, when Denish jabbed off-spinner Harjas Tandon to the mid-wicket fence, the light was too poor for even the spinners to bowl.

A dust storm followed by an incessant drizzle did not allow a resumption, leaving Assam with a little bit of momentum but still staring at the prospect of another collapse.