Visakhapatnam: Nikhil Gangta (115) cracked a fine century but still could not save Himachal Pradesh from conceding a 112-run first innings lead to Andhra Pradesh on the third day of their Group C Ranji Trophy match at Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium here on monday.
Gangta blasted 13 boundaries and six sixes in his 251-ball innings and added 152 runs for the ninth wicket with Vikramjeet Malik (83) to help Himachal post 305 in their first innings. Malik had eight hits to the fence and five sixes in his 108-ball innings.
For Andhra, DP Vijay kumar (4/90) and GVS Prasad (3/77) shared seven wickets between them, while D Shivkumar (1/42) scalped one.
Andhra, who had scored 417 runs in their first innings, were 39 for one in their second essay with DB Prasanth and MUB Sriram on 15 and 10 respectively at the draw of stumps.
The only wicket to fall for Andhra was KS Bharat (9), who was trapped infront of wicket by Rahul Dhawan in the 8th over.
Resuming their first innings at 24/3, Himachal Pradesh lost Jarnail Singh (22) in the 19th over when he was adjudged lbw off Vijay Kumar`s bowling. Prasad then got rid off V Bhatia (18) in the 34th over.
Prasad again came back later to dismiss skipper Rahul Dhawan (19) and Bipul Sharma (25). A Bhalaik too was ran out by RK Bhui as HP slipped to 152 for eight in 54.2 overs.
Gangta and Malik then steadied the ship and took HP across the 300-mark.
Brief Score:
Andhra: 417 & 39/1 (DB Prasanth 15; R Dhawan 1/15)
HP: 305 all out in 80.4 overs (N Gangta 115; DP Vijaykumar 4/90).
