Yuvi scorches ton to put Punjab in strong position

Pune, December 22

Yuvraj Singh blasted the Maharashtra attack into submission with an attractive 136 to guide Punjab to a commanding position.
On a day when he was dropped from BCCI’s graded retainership, the veteran hit 25 boundaries and a huge six en route his 22nd first-class hundred as Punjab finished the second day at 370 for eight with a healthy first innings lead of 160 runs.
Yuvraj was severe on seamers Anupam Sanklecha (3/75) and Shrikant Mundhe (1/112). Left-arm spinner Akshay Darekar (1/57) got the prized scalp. Yuvraj was involved in two 112-run stands — first for the fourth wicket with opener Jiwanjot Singh (68) and later for the fifth wicket with Gurkeerat Singh Mann (57).
Yuvraj was finally caught by Vijay Zol off Darekar but Punjab’s lead by then had reached 88. Skipper Harbhajan Singh (31) then used the long handle to a good effect as he added 55 runs for the seventh wicket with wicketkeeper Geetansh Khera (38 batting).

Haryana 60/2 after bowling out Vidarbha for 154

Rohtak: Haryana dominated the brief period when play was possible as medium pacer Joginder Sharma helped the hosts bundle out Vidarbha for 154 with a five-wicket haul in their Group B match.
At close of play on the second day, Haryana were 60/2 with opener Nitin Saini batting on 13. Mohit Sharma was yet to open his account. Skipper Sunny Singh raced to a 43-ball 30 with the help of six boundaries before being dismissed by Ravi Jangid at the CH Bansi Lal Cricket Stadium in Lahli.
Only 39.3 overs were bowled on the day due to bad light. Earlier, Vidarbha collapsed from their overnight score of 101 for three with Joginder doing the bulk of the damage. Ashish Hooda picked up 3/40 with his medium pace bowling, as the visitors could add just 53 runs on the day. — PTI

Brief scores

Maharashtra: 210 all out; Punjab: 370/8 (Yuvraj 136, Jiwanjot 68, Gurkeerat 58; Sanklecha 3/75)
Vidarbha: 154 all out in 68.3 overs (Fazal 46; Joginder 5/46, Hooda 3/40); Haryana: 60/2 in 18 overs (Sunny 30)
J&K: 497 in 145.4 overs (Rasool 136, Dayal 124*; Swapnil 6/152); Baroda: 116/0 in 34 overs (Wakaskar 60*, Devdhar 54*)
Goa: 357 all out in 109.2 overs (Misal 97, D’Souza 67; Karanveer 2/54, Raghav 2/55, Gurvinder 2/70); Himachal Pradesh: 172/3 in 68 overs (Kalsi 66*, Parida 55*, Bains 46)