Salil keeps Punjab colts in hunt

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 25

Salil Arora hit an unbeaten century to keep Punjab in the hunt after the hosts were reduced to 126/5 while chasing Jharkhand’s first innings total of 329 runs on the second day of their Cooch Behar Trophy match at Dhruv Pandove Stadium in Patiala on Tuesday. 

At the close of the day’s play, Punjab were batting on 226/6, with Arora not out on 103 and Sumit Sharma giving him company on 45. 

The hosts had a disastrous beginning to their chase as they lost their top-four batsmen for just 32 runs. Arjun Azad was cleaned up by Yuvraj Kumar on four, while his opening partner Anshul Chaudhary fell to Sushant Mishra on naught. Nehal Wadhera lasted just six balls. He was caught by Shresht Sagar off Yuvraj on four.   

Skipper Prabhsimran Singh hit three fours and a six to race to 21 before he became Mishra’s second victim. 

Deepin Chitkara and Arora then got together and added 94 runs for the fifth wicket to provide some stability to the Punjab innings. The duo, however, was separated when Yuvraj claimed Chitkara on 35.    

Yuvraj Chaudhary faced 33 balls for his 12 before he was removed by Manishi.

With the hosts tottering at 148/6, it was left to Arora and Sumit Sharma to take the hosts close to the Jharkhand total. The duo batted with purpose and punished all the loose deliveries that came their way to push the total to 226 runs before the draw of stumps. 

Earlier, Jharkhand added 11 runs to their overnight total of 318 before losing their final wicket. Overnight centurion Sahil Raj was finally consumed by Ketan Mankotia on 108 runs. Sushant Mishra remained not out on five.