Ricky's century puts pressure on Hyderabad

Opening batsman Ravneet Ricky, fresh from his exploits for the victorious Indian Under-19 team in Sri Lanka, hit a splendid 134 as Punjab piled on the pressure for Hyderabad at the end of the third day's play in their Group B Ranji Trophy Super League match at the PCA stadium in Mohali on Monday.

Punjab were already in command at stumps on the second day with a first innings lead of ten runs with eight wickets still in hand. They consolidated their position on Monday, taking their score to 363 for eight before declaring. Hyderabad, 246 runs in arrears, were 15 for no loss at stumps.

Ricky, 50 overnight and Pankaj Dharmani (46) added 90 runs for the third wicket off 34 overs. Then Narendra Pal Singh caused a middle order collapse and at 156 for five, Punjab had lost some ground.

However Ricky continued to bat confidently and first with Harminder Jagnu (32) and then with Sandeep Sharma (68 not out) put Punjab back in command. He and Jagnu added 57 runs for the sixth wicket off 23.1 overs. This was followed by a seventh wicket stand of 99 runs off 31.3 overs between Ricky and Sharma. Ricky was finally out for 134, bowled by Azharuddin. He batted 449 minutes, faced 342 balls and hit 15 fours. At the declaration, Sharma had faced 116 balls and had hit five of them to the ropes. NP Singh finished with five for 69.