Deepak Chougule slammed a masterly unbeaten ton to help Bangalore City gain vital innings lead over Combined City at the conclusion of a two-day match in the Safi Darashah Trophy tournament here at the RSI ground on Tuesday.

Bangalore City, overnight 83 for no loss in pursuit of Combined City’s 307, finished the day at a commanding 344 for six in 101 overs, etching out a 37-run lead. The lead earned Bangalore City three points while Combined had to be content with one point.

Karun Nair, who was unbeaten on 48 on the opening day, fell just short of two runs of a well-deserved century.
The talented teenager, who had been prolific this season, consumed 217 balls for his 98 with the help of 17 fours.

But the man who did the job for Bangalore City was the dimunutive Chougule. The right-hander remained unconquered at 129 that formed the backbone of Bangalore’s successful chase.

Chougule played mere 143 balls for his knock that contained 21 hits to the rope.

In another match, Bangalore Zone anatched 1 61-run lead over President’s XI to pocket three points. Having scored 287, Bangalore Zone restricted President’s to 226 all out in 61.1 overs.

Amit Verma (79) was the top-scorer followed by Barrington Rowland (68).

Left-arm spinner Abrar Kazi was the pick of the bowlers with three for 48 while off-spinner Udit Patel and P Magizhendan picked two each.  

Brief scores:
At RSI: Combined City: 307 drew with Bangalore City: (o/n 83/0 in 30 overs): 344/6 in 101 overs (Karun Nair 98, Deepak A Chougule 129 n.o., Sunil N Raju 31; Arjun Shetty 2-77). Bangalore City: 3 points; Combined City: 1 point.

At IAF: Bangalore Zone: 287 all out in 82.5 overs and 91/4 in 20 overs (DN Manjunath 30, CM Gautam 36; Gaurav Dhiman 2-17) drew with President’s XI (o/n 18/0): 226 all out in 61.1 overs (Barrington Rowland 68, Amit Verma 79; P Magizhendan 2-37, Abrar Kazi 3-48, Udit Patel 2-53). Bangalore Zone: 3 points; President’s XI: 1 point.