Punjab opt for batting practice after gaining big lead

Mohali: Fine medium fast bowling by Reetinder Sodhi (5 for 30) and Sandeep Sharma (3 for 46) put Himachal Pradesh on back foot as they were bundled out 46 minutes after tea for a paltry total of 129 runs in their first innings in reply to Punjab's total of 354 on the second day of the North Zone Ranji Trophy match here on Monday.

Punjab started their first innings from the overnight total of 317 for 8. Sarandeep Singh (57) was the first to depart in the seventh over of the day when he was bowled by Shakti Singh's inswinger with the total 330. He added 72 runs for ninth wicket with Navdeep Singh (36 not out). Shakti Singh finished with six wickets at a cost of 107 runs. This was tenth time he had claimed five or more wickets in an innings in his 42nd match.

The Himachal batsmen were never in the hunt to come anywhere near the Punjab total. The wickets fell at regular intervals. Most of the damage was done by medium pacers Reetinder Sodhi (5 for 30) and Sandeep Sharma (3 for 46). Navdeep Singh and Sandeep Sawal got a wicket each.

Yashwant Pal Singh(32), Nischal Gaur (29) and Jaswant Rai (20) showed some resistance. Yashwant was impressive as he hit four boundries while facing 102 balls.

Punjab who got a 225 run first innings lead instead of enforcing the follow on opted for some batting practice. They started their second innings on a disastrous note as Vikram Rathore and Navjot Sidhu, both former Indian opening batsmen threw their wickets cheaply. Rathore (3) was the first to depart in the second over while trying to pull a short delivery of Parveen to caught at square-leg by Shakti Singh. Sidhu (2) was out in the same manner of the first innings when he was caught by Sangram Singh off Shakti Singh. At close of play Punjab were 38 for 2 with Dinesh Mongia (15) and Amit Sharma (12) at the crease.