J&K openers Suryansh Raina and Abhishant Bakshi put a mammoth unbroken stand of 345 runs as J&K punished Odisha bowlers on the first day of the Under-23 Col CK Nayudu Trophy tournament at Gandhi Stadium, Balangir Odisha on Monday.
J&K won the toss and opted to bat first. At that moment J&K wouldn’t have imagined that they would be in such strong position at the end of first day’s play. The opening duo of Raina and Bakshi put up an unbroken stand of 345 runs for J&K and have already put team in strong position in the match. Both openers punished Odisha bowlers and scored at 3.83 runs per over.
Raina is batting on unbeaten 182 run knock from 267 balls in which he has scored 23 boundaries and two sixes. The flamboyant new comer Abhishant, batting on 151 from 279 balls including 22 boundaries and 2 sixes, had his share of luck early on but he ensured that he makes the maximum out of the chance.
Incidentally, debutant Abhishant Bakshi had featured in U-16 team earlier but for reasons unknown, never featured in any of the U-19 teams afterwards.
As per J&K team official it may be the highest ever opening stand for J&K in any format. There is no official confirmation of the stand yet but the official said at least it is in Under-23 cricket for J&K. Team is playing sixth match of the season in Under-23. In the five previous matches they have suffered three defeats and were held to two draws. They stand at bottom of the elite group-C points table with two points.
With such opening start J&K would be hoping to post a huge total on board and earn a big win against hosts Odisha.