Punjab cruise to mammoth victory over Himachal Pradesh

Punjab completed an emphatic victory over Himachal Pradesh by an innings and 235 runs at the Indira Gandhi Stadium at Una. Having followed on yesterday, Himachal Pradesh were bundled out for 161. Ajay Sharma, recently in the midst of the matchfixing controversy, retired hurt after he made just 13 yesterday and did not return to the crease. This meant that Himachal Pradesh had lost, even as they reached 161/9.

Punjab needed just 20 overs and two balls to wrap up the game on the fourth day. Harbhajan Singh, former India offspinner claimed 3/39 off 21 overs and was the pick of the bowlers on the day. Earlier in the match, Punjab had piled on the runs thanks to an innings of 203 from skipper Vikram Rathour and centuries from Ravneet Ricky and Reetinder Singh Sodhi. If the current batting form is anything to go by, the Punjab side can look forward to a fruitful season ahead of them.