Jaipur: Manav Suthar did no harm to his growing reputation as one of the most fast-rising all-rounders in the country by cracking his maiden First-Class hundred at the Anantam Ground here on Saturday.However, despite Manav’s fighting knock of 120 runs, Himachal Pradesh took a crucial 64-run first innings lead against Rajasthan on the penultimate day of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group D match.Himachal then stretched their overall lead to 102 as they reached 33 for no loss when the stumps were drawn on Day 3. Both the openers Innesh Mahajan (21) and Ankush Bains (17) looked positive in their approach.After being at the receiving end for the first couple of days, the home team bounced back gallantly.Manav led the fightback strongly in the company of tailenders and helped Rajasthan to take their total to 342, after being precariously placed at 115 for 6 at the halfway stage.The 23-year-old Manav scored a patient 120 off 330 balls. The left-hander batter hit only 7 fours and 4 sixes during his marathon innings. Under pressure, he displayed proper application and determination which the top-order batters failed to do.The young all-rounder, who snapped up three wickets in Himachal’s first innings, was involved in two century partnerships to revive his team’s hopes.He forged 130-run stand for the seventh wicket with Ajay Kookna (55: 120b, 5×4)) and stitched together 101 runs for the eighth wicket with Amol Chelani (52: 146b, 6×4, 1×6), who came in as concussion substitute for the opener Shiva Chauhan, who retired hurt on 15 after fracturing his thumb.Left-arm spinner Aryaman Dhaliwal bagged a five-wicket haul, while off-spinner Mukul Negi returned 4 for 108 for HP.Brief ScoresHimachal Pradesh 406 and 38/0 in 10 overs (Innesh Mahajan 21*, Ankush Bains 17*) vs Rajasthan 342 in 131.2 overs (Manav Suthar 120, Ajay Kookna 55, Amol Chelani 52, Salman Khan 32; Aryaman Dhaliwal 5-101, Mukul Negi 4-108).
