Punjab in trouble despite Ricky's 97

After winning the toss and electing to bat first at the Karnail Singh stadium in Delhi, Punjab were in some manner of strife at the end of the day against Railways.

Captain Vikram Rathour was the first to go after the scored just 3 runs. Caught by Goud off the bowling of opening bowler Rawat, Rathour gave way to young sensation Yuvraj Singh. Coming off a successful tournament in Sri Lanka, Yuvraj joined another youngster who is making waves in Indian cricket - Ravneet Ricky.

Between them the two youngsters put together what was to be the only useful partnership of the day. Ricky batted slowly, not hurrying himself in any manner. At the other end, Yuvraj, a natural stroke maker went about things in a much quicker manner. As is often the case, the faster scoring batsman perished first. Yuvraj was dismissed soon after he made his fifty, being cleaned bowled by Devendra Singh when he was 54.

After that, it was very much a one-man show as Ricky attempted to bring some semblence of decency to the Punjab innings. Pankaj Dharmani made a first ball duck and the rest of the Punjab batsmen did not show much initiative. Dinesh Mongia and (31) and wicketkeeper Jagnu (30) got starts but could not go on top play innings of substance. When Ricky was dismissed just three runs short of what would have been a well deserved century, Punjab were in trouble at 216/6.

At the end of the first day's play, Punjab were badly off at 246/7. From here on it will be a fight to stay alive in the game.