Anmolpreet’s hundred gives Punjab lead

Kolkata, January 8

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Anmolpreet Singh cracked an unbeaten century as Punjab grabbed a firm grip over Bengal, taking a 170-run first innings lead, in their must-win Ranji Trophy Elite Group B clash. Anmolpreet was unbeaten on 124 off 288 balls (13x4, 1x6) in his first century of the season as he guided Punjab to 357/7 on the second day, in reply to Bengal’s first innings total of 187. Shubman Gill (91) seized the initiative earlier in the day, hitting at brisk pace all around the ground with Anmolpreet playing the second fiddle. 

But the youngster missed his century by nine runs when he tried to step out to Bengal seamer Mukesh Kumar only to mishit to mid-off in the first session.

Gill and Anmolpreet put together 89 runs in quick time to set the tone for Punjab before the latter anchored Punjab’s innings and stitched two more fifty-plus stands with Mandeep Singh (44) and Gitansh Khera (42).

Seamer Mukesh (4/89) was the pick of Bengal bowlers, while left-arm spinner Pradipta Pramanik (3/100) took the key wicket of Yuvraj Singh in his first ball. Having come into the crease after the departure of nightwatchman Mayank Markande in the fag end of Day 1, the Punjab No. 3, Anmolpreet, then shouldered the responsibility taking the team past Bengal’s 187 after the lunch break.

At Rohtak, hosts Haryana needed 98 runs to win against Services, with nine wickets in hand. Haryana conceded the first innings lead, but fought back and dismissed Services for just 79 in their second essay to tilt the match in their favour.

At Jammu, the Jammu and Kashmir versus Jharkhand game began on Tuesday after the first day was washed out owing to a wet outfield. Jammu and Kashmir, who chose to bat, were shot out for 151 with Ajay Yadav (5/16) being the wrecker-in-chief for the visitors. — PTI  

Brief Scores: J&K: 151 (Owais Shah 76, Irfan Pathan 15; Ajay Yadav 5/16) vs Jharkhand: 9/0

Himachal Pradesh: 297 all out in 96.1 overs (AR Kalsi 101, Rishi Dhawan 58; MD Nidheesh 6/88) vs Kerala: 219/5 in 64 overs (P Rahul 103*, Mohammed Azharudden 40)

Bengal: 187; Punjab: 357/7 in 110 overs (Anmolpreet Singh 124*, Shubman Gill 91; Mukesh Kumar 4/89, Pradipta Pramanik 3/100)

Services: 170 and 79 (Diwesh Pathania 25, Rahul Singh Gahlaut 12; Tinu Kundu 5/35) vs Haryana: 149 (SG Rohilla 64, Himanshu Rana 19; A Bamal 7/142) and 3/1