Rajiv Nayyar bats for over 1000 minutes

It is not every time in a first class match that a batsman can be at the crease for over 1000 minutes. But the Himachal Pradesh captain Rajiv Nayyar did just that in his team's four day North Zone Ranji Trophy match against Jammu & Kashmir which ended in a tame draw at the Police stadium in Chamba on Wednesday.

Nayyar batted for 16 hours and 55 minutes in scoring 271, in the process creating a new individual record for Himachal Pradesh.

Resuming at the overnight score of 407 for 6 in reply to J & K's first innings total of 249, Nayyar opted to go for a statistical record instead of trying to obtain full points for his team. But he was successful in his objective and went on to get 271 runs to become the first Himachal batsman to score a double hundred. He occupied the crease for a record time of 1015 minutes. He faced 728 balls and hit 26 fours and a six. J & K who bowled a mainly defensive line were on the field for virtually three days after being all out for 249 just before close on the first day.

Nayyar who came in early on the second day when the first wicket had fallen at 39, was 89 at stumps and raised his score to 170 by the third evening. This was his 61st Ranji Trophy match (113th innings) and the marathon knock was his 13th hundred in the National competition. Incidentally he had also got a hundred against J & K last year. With Nischal Gaur who also hit a century against J & K last season, Nayyar added 146 runs for the second wicket, Gaur's share being a patient 69.

Himachal were ultimately all out for 567 in 255.2 overs half an hour before the close of scheduled time. This total was the highest for Himachal against any team in the national championship. Sanjay Sharma was the most successful bowler with four wickets for 117 runs in 77 overs. Surinder Singh captured two wickets for 107 runs. In the remaining time, J & K scored 16 for one in their second innings.

With this match Himachal Pradesh opened their points tally and have five from two matches. J & K have six from the same number of games.