Debutant Malhotra scythes through Assam line-up

Hosts Punjab established early domination over Punjab at the end of the first day their match against Assam at the Punjab Cricket Association stadium at Mohali. First, they dismissed the visitors for a meagre 170 after inserting the latter in; this they followed up by racking up an impressive 130 for three in reply before stumps were drawn.

The star of the day, most obviously, was 17-year-old Ishan Malhotra, a right-arm fast bowler born in Jammu and Kashmir. He scythed through the Assam batting-order in an impressive bowling display that saw him return 7 for 59 in the 17 overs that he bowled. His new-ball partner H Puri, another debutant, also bowled commedably, chipping in with two wickets. Assam's plight would have been pathetic but for a 44 from wicket-keeper Syed Zuffri and a 33 from J Gokulakrishnan.

The Punjab reply got off to a great start with openers Ravneet Ricky and Manish Sharma putting on 64 runs before Sharma was out after a rapid-fire 50 off 64 balls. India discard Yuvraj, who followed, did not last for long. The home team captain Pankaj Dharmani also had to return after a brief stint when Gokulakrishanan trapped him in front of the wicket. Punjab, though, continue to remain in the driver's seat; Ricky is looking good on 46 and there is a fair bit of batting to follow with the Assam score on the horizon.