Ranji Trophy 2026-27 | Ton-up Vihaan keeps Punjab in the hunt against Assam
Punjab's Vihaan Malhotra scored a century on his First Class debut during a Ranji Trophy match against Assam. Despite his performance, Punjab remains behind in the first-innings contest as Assam's bowlers maintained pressure throughout the third day.
Why it matters
The Ranji Trophy is the premier domestic cricket competition in India, serving as a primary pipeline for national team selection.
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.
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