Dharmashala: Himachal opener Prashant Chopra started Ranji Trophy 2017 campaign in style. On the first day of the match against Punjab, one of the best team in tournament, being played at HPCA Dharamshala, Chopra slammed 271 in 289 balls in Himachal Pradesh’s 459 for 2.

He hit 37 boundaries and lone six. This was his second double century. Chopra completed double century in 215 balls. He also surpass his highest First-Class score of 237 runs as well.

Chopra’s knock is also second on the list of most runs scored by a batsman in a single day in the tournament’s history, after Bhausaheb Nimbalkar’s tally of 277.

Earlier, Himachal won the toss and batting first team lost its opener Priyanshu Khanduri (7) to Sandeep Sharma in third over the match, thereafter Chopra and Captain Sumeet Verma played cautiously and added 187 runs. Verma vigilant ended by Abhishek Sharma. He scored 79 in 120 balls. Chopra was joined by dependent batsman Paras Dogra and before the first day of the play, both have made an unbroken third-wicket partnership of 264. Paras Dogra is not out on 99 with 11 boundaries and lone six.

Himachal innings

1st Wicket: 8 runs in 2.1 overs (P S Khanduri 4, P S Chopra 4)
Himachal : 50 runs in 12.3 overs
Drinks break: Himachal – 76/1 in 16.6 overs (P S Chopra 39 off 52, S L Verma 32 off 43)
Himachal : 103 runs in 20.3 overs
S L Verma : 53 runs off 59 Balls
P S Chopra : 50 runs off 69 Balls
Himachal : 150 runs in 32.3 overs
Lunch break: Himachal – 157/1 in 33.6 overs (S L Verma 68 off 96, P S Chopra 84 off 101)
P S Chopra : 101 runs off 111 Balls
2nd Wicket: 195 runs in 42.5 overs (S L Verma 79, P S Chopra 107)
Himachal : 200 runs in 43.6 overs
Drinks break: Himachal – 223/2 in 47.6 overs (P S Chopra 124 off 151, P K Dogra 15 off 10)
Himachal : 250 runs in 51.6 overs
P S Chopra : 150 runs off 172 Balls
Himachal : 300 runs in 60.3 overs
Tea break: Himachal – 308/2 in 61.6 overs (P K Dogra 42 off 48, P S Chopra 180 off 197)
P K Dogra : 50 runs off 55 Balls
P S Chopra : 203 runs off 215 Balls
Himachal : 350 runs in 68.4 overs
Drinks break: Himachal – 398/2 in 78.6 overs (P K Dogra 74 off 95, P S Chopra 237 off 252)
Himachal : 400 runs in 79.2 overs
P S Chopra : 250 runs off 265 Balls
Himachal : 450 runs in 88.6 overs

Stumps Day 1: Himachal – 459/2 in 89.6 overs (P S Chopra 271 off 289, P K Dogra 99 off 124)