Railways struggle to 85-5 against Services in Ranji

New Delhi: Services bowlers produced a disciplined bowling display to reduce Railways to 85 for five in their first innings at stumps on a weather-hit opening day of their Ranji Trophy Group B match here Sunday.

After electing to field on a chilly morning, Services didn`t give Railways batsmen much leeway and kept taking wickets in regular intervals on a day when only 40 overs could be bowled due to foggy conditions. For Services, Irfan Khan took two wickets for 14 runs, while Suraj Yadav, Shadab Nazar and Nishan Singh accounted for one each as the bowlers utilised the limited time of play possible. After a delayed start due to bad light, play was again suspended at the fag end because of poor visibility at the Jamia Millia Cricket Ground. Opening the innings after inserted by Services, skipper Murali Kartik could not handle their rivals bowling and was the first to go back to the pavillion when he was trapped infront of wicket by Nazar in the fourth over. Opener Shivakant Shukla (20) and Nitin Bhille (20) tried to steady the ship but the former was sent packing by Nishan in the 15th over with Sarabjit Singh taking the catch as Railways were reduced to 27-2. Irfan then joined the party and got rid of Rongsen Jonathan (11) less then four overs after the second wicket. Arindam Ghosh too was sent back into the hut in the 22nd over by Yadav as Railways slipped to 43-4. A few overs later, wicket-keeper Mahesh Rawat was dismissed by Irfan with Soumik Chatterjee taking the catch to leave Railways at 50 for five in 26.2 overs. Ashish Yadav (19) and Bhille were at the crease when the stumps were drawn today. Brief Score: Railways: 85 for 5 in 40 overs (NS Bhille 20; Irfan Khan 2/14).