Mandeep rescues Punjab, Haryana secure big win

Chandigarh, December 18

Advertisement

Punjab skipper Mandeep Singh led from the front to rescue the home team after they were reduced to 23/3 in pursuit of Hyderabad’s first-innings total of 242 on Day 2 of their Ranji Trophy Group A match in Patiala. Punjab were 167/4 at stumps, with Mandeep unbeaten on an impressive 65, with only 51 overs being bowled today due to rain.

The match has been hit badly by rain — only 132 overs have been bowled across two days — and it’s likely that the points will be decided on the basis of the first-innings lead. In this context, Hyderabad medium-pacer Mohammed Siraj had Punjab in deep trouble when he removed Shubman Gill (0), Gurkeerat Mann (5) and Sanvir Singh (14) within six overs of the innings. Gill, who made 12 and 36 not out in the first Ranji Trophy outing of the season against Rajasthan, lasted only four balls today.

Mandeep and Anmolpreet Singh (54) came together at 23/3 and shared an 82-run partnership for the fourth wicket, bailing the team out of serious trouble. Yudhvir Singh removed Anmolpreet, who faced 92 balls, to end the stand. Mandeep, who faced 135 deliveries and struck nine fours, then added 62 runs with Sharad Lumba (26) for the unbroken fifth-wicket stand. Punjab would want them to bat together at least until the Hyderabad total is overhauled, and then go on to set up a big lead so that Punjab could hope for an outright win.

Himachal hit back at TN

Dindigul: Himachal Pradesh bundled out Tamil Nadu for 96 and reached 133/7 in their second innings to seize the advantage at stumps on Day 2 of their Group B match here. Himachal Pradesh now lead by 195 runs.

Resuming at the overnight 8/0, Tamil Nadu lasted only 46 overs as the Himachal bowlers struck at regular intervals. Vaibhav Arora (3/21) was the most successful bowler for Himachal, while Rishi Dhawan (2/30), Mayank Dagar (2/17) and AP Vashist (2/22) chipped in with key wickets. India star Ravichandran Ashwin was the top-scorer with a 60-ball 24. None of the other batsmen showed the necessary application to pile up a big total. Tamil Nadu were tottering at 43/6 at one stage before Ashwin and J Kousik (21) came up with a brief rescue act, though the team could not touch 100.

In Himachal Pradesh’s second innings, Prashant Chopra (23) and Sumeet Verma (36) batted resolutely to keep the host bowlers at bay for 15 overs. Tamil Nadu hit back with three wickets before Rishi Dhawan (27*) made sure Himachal didn’t allow the advantage to slip away completely.

Nazir puts J&K on top

Pune: Jammu and Kashmir’s right-arm medium-pacer Umar Nazir wrecked Maharashtra with figures of 5/30, bowling out the hosts for 109, before J&K pressed home their advantage by reaching 155/4 at stumps on Day 2 of their Group C match. Jammu & Kashmir lead by 255 runs with six wickets intact, and would hope to notch up maximum points by recording an outright win.

Harshal stars in win

Rohtak: Skipper Harshal Patel starred with career-best match figures of 12/53 as Haryana crushed Tripura by an innings and 125 runs on the second day of their Group C match. Tripura, needing 175 runs in their second innings to make Haryana bat again, were routed for 49 in only 16.3 overs as Patel picked up 5/24, while Ashish Hooda had figures of 5/21 in eight overs. Patel had picked up 7/29 in the first innings. Haryana grabbed seven points for the victory. — TNS