Internet Desk: Punjab is on the verge of winning its Ranji Trophy Group A clash against Uttar Pradesh. Yuvraj Singh led side is just 51 runs away from clinching its first win of the season at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Monday.
Uttar Pradesh surrendered meekly in their second innings as they were bowled out for a paltry 95 runs thereby setting Punjab a target of 112 runs to win.
Earlier in the day Punjab lost their remaining seven wickets quickly to be bowled out for 319 runs. Punjab medium pacer Sidharth Kaul changed the complexion of the match with a match winning spell of 6/27. It was due to his efforts with the ball that Uttar Pradesh could manage only 95 runs in the second innings.
Sandeep Sharma and Gurkeerat Mann picked up one wicket each to wrap up UP’s innings in just 38.5 overs.
Chasing a target of 112 runs, Punjab at stumps on Day 3 are 61/2. Manan Vohra (34) and Jiwanjot Singh (27) shared a 59-run partnership in 15.4 overs, A total of 19 wickets fell on the third day.
In another match Rajasthan grabbed the crucial first innings lead but Odisha got their act together in the second essay to be 244 for two on the third and penultimate day of their Ranji Trophy Group B match at Patiala.
Overnight 143/8, Odisha folded for 172 in the first innings in reply to Rajasthan’s 323. For Rajasthan, Pankaj Singh and Aniket Choudhary snared four wickets apiece to wreck Odisha’s batting in the first innings.
However, Odisha put up an improved performance in the second innings with a solid performance from the top order.
Stars of the day were Subhranshu Senapati (90) and Ranjit Singh (89), who were holding fort for Odisha when stumps were drawn for the day.
Opener Sandeep Pattnaik also made a notable contribution with a 40-run knock.
Brief Score:
Uttar Pradesh: 335 & 95 (Rinku Singh 43; Siddharth Kaul 6 for 27)
Punjab: 319 (Yuvraj Singh 85; Saurabh Kumar 4 for 71) & 61 for 2 (M Vohra 34; Kuldeep Yadav 1 for 9)
Rajasthan: 323
Odisha: 172 and 244/2 (f/o) in 75 overs (Subhranshu Senapati 90 batting, Ranjit Singh 89 batting).