Dharmani slammed unbeaten ton.

Mohali, 31 October : Pankaj Dharmani (106*) scored a unbeaten century as Punjab piled up a big total of 334 for the loss of four wickets on the first day of their second Ranji trophy 4-day league match being played at Punjab Cricket Association stadium here today.

Vikram Rathore once again proved lucky with coin for Punjab and opted fotr batting on a batsmen friendly wicket. Rathore and Sodhi opened the innings and give their team a solid start as both added 66 runs before Rathore 47 was caught at first slip by Thapa off Javed while playing a casual shot out side the off stump. His knock of 52 balls was studded with six boundaries and one six. Reetinder Sodhi (32) was next to depart at team total of 91 in 19.3 overs. He unnecessarly jumped out to left arm spinner Pankaj Maitrey and was stumped by Sarabjeet Singh.

Pankaj Dharmani played a gallant knock of 106* as he hits Services bowlers at all part of the ground. He was lucky to be droped by Thapa at second slip off Syed Javed at his individual score of zero. After this he never looked back and take the Services bowlers on leathal hunt. He smashed 12 power packed hits to fence and a mighty six at long on. Amit Sharma(35) and Dharmani added 45 runs in 67 balls for third wicket. Amit was clean bowled by right arm leg spinner Kulkarni as he missed a juicy drive.

At the fall of third wicket seasoned compainer Dinesh Mongia joined Dharmani. Mongia was looking very confident from the first ball he faced. He too like his senior partner ride on Services bowlers and scored splendid 79 runs which included six boundaries and two sixes. This pair added 155 runs for the fourth wicket. Playing a two minded drive Mongia gave a simple caught to Thapa at slips of Maitrey.

Pankaj Dharmani while playing his 46th innings of his 35th match, completed sixth century. He also completed 2000 runs today when he reached at 53.His unbeaten knock was consisted of 206 balls and he was at crease for 280 minutes today. Sanjay Kumar (22*) who replaced Mongia, is playing very gracefully. He and Dharmani contributed 43 runs for the unbeaten fifth wicket and are yet on crease.

Pankaj Maitray was pick of the bowlers today as he captured two wickets by giving away just 79 runs during his marathon bowling spell of 32 runs. Sachin Kulkarni and Syed Javed shared a wicket each giving away 86 and 67 runs respectively.