Yuvraj’s ton puts Punjab back on track

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 17

A timely century by Yuvraj Choudhary helped Punjab post 320 runs against Haryana on Day 2 of the ongoing Vijay Merchant Trophy tie at the PCA Stadium.

Starting their day at 191/6, Choudhary and Anshul Negi raised 29-run partnership before Negi (17 off 90 balls studded with two boundaries) was cleaned up by Akashdeep Bhakar.

Ayush Goyal and Choudhary then raised a 47-run partnership for the eighth wicket. Goyal (6 off 86 balls including one boundary) was finally cleaned up by Farid Khan. Anurag Watts (1) fell prey to Bhuwan Rohilla with the team’s total of 270/9.

After his departure, Karanpreet Singh joined Choudhary and the duo recorded a 50-run partnership for the last wicket. Choudhary fell prey to Bhakar for 122 off 189 balls studded with 15 boundaries and two sixes. For Haryana, Bhakar (3/53), Khan (3/65) and Bhuwan Rohilla (2/73) claimed wickets.

In reply, Haryana closed their day on 117/2, still trailing by 203 runs in the first innings. Openers Vivek Yadav and Sagar Dahiya failed to give a good start as Yadav (1) was cleaned up by Karanpreet.

Naman Singh along with Dahiya raised an unbeaten partnership of 115 runs for the third wicket. Dahiya was left unbeaten on 79 off 141 balls studded with 12 boundaries while Naman recorded an unbeaten 36 off 134 balls studded with four boundaries. Karanpreet claimed both the wickets for Punjab.

Dahiya-Naman unbeaten partnership 

• After a shaky start, Sagar Dahiya (79 off 141 balls) and Naman Singh (36 off 134 balls) stabilised Haryana’s innings on Sunday. The duo closed the day at team’s total of 117/2. They both were involved in an unbeaten 115-run partnership for the third wicket.