Ranji trophy: Mann’s double ton derails Railways

Tribune News service

Mohali, October 2

The call-up to the ODI team has worked wonders for Punjab's Gurkeerat Singh Mann. Just days after being selected in the squad for the ODI series against South Africa, Mann smashed an unbeaten double hundred for Punjab in their Ranji opener against Railways (Group A) at the PCA Stadium in Mohali.

By the end of the day, the hosts had piled up a mountain of runs (604/5) before declaring their first innings. Mann's unbeaten 201 runs came in just 205 balls with the help of 25 fours and five sixes.

Punjab scored 339 runs on the second day. Wicketkeeper-batsman Gitansh Khera (102) also struck a century with the help of nine fours and a six.

Before Mann scored the first double of the Ranji season, it was Uday Kaul (112) and Mandeep Singh (109) who had scored tons on a placid batting wicket. Skipper Yuvraj Singh (23) offered a simple return catch to Karn Sharma (1/115). Pacers Krishnakant Upadhhyay (0/121) and Ranjit Mali (1/149) bore the brunt of Mann's bat.

The Mohali lad, playing his 29th innings off his 20th Ranji match, surpassed his earlier highest score of 157 against Karnataka at Hublee in the 2013-2014 season. At stumps, Railways were 14 for no loss.

Haryana suffer late order collapse

Pune: Haryana lost their last four wickets for only four runs as only 19.1 overs of play was possible due to inclement weather on the second day of their Ranji Trophy opening group league encounter against Maharashtra. Haryana were all out for 335 in their first innings after starting the day at 303/6.

At stumps, Maharashtra were 7/0 in three overs. The second day was all about bad weather conditions. Himanshu Rana (157) started the day with Jayant Yadav (29) as the duo took the score to 331 having added 87 runs for the seventh wicket. Rana was unfortunately run-out having hit 21 boundaries in 271 balls. Disaster struck Haryana as from 331/6, they slumped to 331 for nine before being bowled out for 335.

Kerala 158/2 in reply to J&K’s 330

Srinagar: Kerala made a positive start after Jammu and Kashmir posted 330 on Day Two of their Group C match at the Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium.

Starting on their overnight score of 247/7, the hosts rode on Bandeep Singh's 82 and his 120-run partnership for the eighth wicket with Waseem Raza (73) before being bowled out in 106.5 overs.

Bandeep hit 10 fours in his 211-ball knock, while Raza found the fence eight times in 106 balls. Vice-captain Parveez Rasool had made 54 yesterday.

For Kerala, Karaparambil Monish was the most successful bowler, picking up three wickets by giving away 63 runs.

In reply, Kerala ended the second day at a solid 158/2 in 68 overs. Opener VA Jagadeesh was run out after scoring 69, with the help of six fours. At stumps, Rohan Prem (67 batting) and Sachin Baby (5) were at the crease.

Brief scores: (Match I) Punjab 604/4 decl (G Mann 201 no, U Kaul 112, M Singh 109, G Khera 102 no) vs Railways 14/0; (Match II) (Haryana): 335 in 106.1 overs (H Rana 157, V Sehwag 92, S Fallah 3/78, N Dhumal 3/55); Maharashtra: 7/0 in 3 overs; (Match III): Jammu & Kashmir: 330 (Bandeep Singh 82, Waseem Raza 73; Monish Kareparambil 3/63, R.V. Gomez 2/33) vs Kerala 158/2 (VA Jagadeesh 69, Rohan Prem not out 67; Ram Dayal 1/32). — Agencies