Punjab quickly in command

Punjab wasted little time in bowling and batting themselves into a commanding position in their Ranji Trophy Super League match against Hyderabad on Sunday. At stumps on the second day at the PCA stadium in Mohali, Punjab, after dismissing Hyderabad for 117 runs in their first innings, had replied with 127 for two.

Play on the opening day on Saturday had been restricted to 32 minutes because of rain. Resuming at 17 without loss, Hyderabad found the seam attack of Sandeep Sharma and Gagandeep Singh too hot to handle and they were shot out in just 49.3 overs. Nandakishore was the first to go and he was followed by VVS Laxman. Skipper Md Azharuddin was run out for one off seven deliveries. Thereafter wickets fell in a heap and only a gallant 31 by Vanka Pratap at No 7 saw Hyderabad cross the three figure mark. Pratap, who came in at 54 for five, was ninth out at 114. Sandeep Sharma finished with three for 36 while Gagandeep Singh had figures of five for 49.

When Punjab batted, they lost the in form skipper Vikram Rathour (15) and Under-19 World Cup hero RS Sodhi (20) with only 56 runs on the board. Both wickets were taken by medium pacer NP Singh. However, RS Ricky and Pankaj Dharmani added 71 runs for the unbroken third wicket off 26 overs to give Punjab the lead. Ricky, another prominent member of the Under-19 World Cup squad, was unbeaten with 50 at close. He has so faced 127 balls and hit five of them to the ropes. Dharmani, a consistent run getter this season, has so far faced 81 balls for his 33, hitting two fours.