Himachal close in on Jharkhand

Ranchi: Opener Prashant Chopra struck a fluent century to help Himachal Pradesh close in on Jharkhand`s first-innings total in their Group C Ranji Trophy match here on Sunday.

At stumps on day two, Himachal were comfortably placed at 201 for four in reply to Jharkhand`s 236 at the HEC International Cricket Stadium Complex. Chopra`s 148-ball 101 contained 14 fours and he got good support from Aakash Chopra who scored 61. The hosts` innings was largely built on Saurabh Tiwary`s knock of 102. Resuming on 65 in a team score of 176 for five, Tiwary hit 12 fours and a six while facing 311 balls. Rishi Dhawan picked up six for 63 for Himachal Pradesh. Brief scores: Jharkhand: 236 all out in 109.4 overs (Saurabh Tiwary 102, Sunny Gupta 62; Rishi Dhawan 6/63) Himachal Pradesh: 201 for four in 67 overs (Prashant Chopra 101, Aakash Chopra 61). PTI