Ludhiana in sight of victory

Our Sports Correspondent

Ludhiana, June 24

Hosts Ludhiana were in sight of victory on the opening day of the match against Faridkot in the ongoing Punjab Inter-District (U-23) Cricket Championship played at GRD Academy on Hambran Road here on Monday.

Ludhiana skipper Deepin Chitkara won the toss and invited Faridkot to bat first. The visitors were bowled out in the first innings for 94 runs in 37.1 overs.

Deepin Chitkara and Gurmehar Singh shared the bowling honours, chipping in with five wickets each to restrict Faridkot below three-digit mark.

Ludhiana went on to score 246 runs in 51.3 overs for the loss of six wickets before declaring their first innings. Their innings revolved around Jasish Jain and Nehal Wadhera, who contributed 103 and 50 runs, respectively.

Enjoying a lead of 152 runs, Ludhiana forced Faridkot in the second innings struggling at 28 for four after 18 overs, taking a firm grip over the match. Gurmehar and Deepin shared four wickets between them. Gurmehar claimed three wickets, while Deepin accounted for one wicket. Faridkot, still trail by 124 runs with six wickets in hand and one day to go, facing a daunting task to avoid an innings defeat.

Brief scores

Faridkot (first innings): 94 all out in 37.1 overs (Naman Dhir 40, Mehakdeep 10 and Sehaj Dhawan 16; Gurmehar Singh 5 for 19 and Deepin Chitkara 5 for 38).

Ludhiana (first innings): 246 for 6 declared after 51.3 overs (Jaish Jain 103, Nehal Wadhera 50, Gurjot Singh 16, Jaskaranvir Singh 33*, Deepin Chitkara 16 and Ritik Singh 16; Naman Dhir 3 for 86 and Gursarabdeep 3 for 86).

Faridkot (second innings): 28 for 4 in 18 overs (Naman Dhir 8, Mehakdeep 6 and Harmanjit Singh 6*; Gurmehar Singh 3 for 13 and Deepin Chitkara 1 for 10).