Punjab consolidates as Railways crumble

Railways were staring at the prospect of surrendering the first innings lead to Punjab as they were reduced to 176 for 9 at stumps on the third day of the Ranji Trophy Super League group B match at the Karnail Singh Stadium at New Delhi on Tuesday.

Earlier, some good batting by tail-enders Sharandeep Singh (44 not out) and Navdeep Singh (42) saw Punjab push their score to 355. Ending day one on 246 for 7 there was very little chance that Punjab could salvage the situation. However, the two Singhs combined well, adding 65 runs for the eighth wicket. While 355 is not the score they would have been looking at when they began their innings, it is a score they would settle for given the fact that they were 164 for 5.

Punjab's Kulamani Parida bowled his off breaks to good effect and ended with the more than respectable figures of 6/84 off his 36.2 overs.

In response, Railways were neck deep in trouble. Losing their top five batsmen before tea was taken, Railways were reduced to 90 for 5. Opening the bowling, Gagandeep Singh was both economical and effective initially as he picked up 2/17 off his 9 overs. In the post tea session Yere Goud (64 of 151 balls) and Kilamani Parida (34 of 46 balls) added 46 runs in 13 overs between them for the ninth wicket . But Railways were to end the day with the score of 176 with only the last pair at the crease, as Punjab consolidated on their first innings total.

Navdeep Singh was easily the pick of the Punjab bowlers as he ended the day with an analysis of 4 for 46 from 21 overs.