Ranji Trophy: Punjab takes first innings lead over Gujarat

Mohali: Punjab produced an inspired bowling display to bowl out Gujarat for a paltry 127 and take the vital innings lead on the second day of a Ranji Trophy Group A match, here on Friday.

Pace trio of Sandeep Sharma (4/59), Siddarth Kaul (2/31) and Manpreet Gony (2/26) effectively used the pace and bounce of the Mohali wicket to take a crucial 45-run first innings lead. Starting at the overnight score of 61 for six, it was always expected to be a difficult task for Gujarat to overwhelm Punjab 172-run first innings score as the visitors had already lost their entire top-order. Even though Gujarat`s tail showed some resistance, unlike their top-order, the asking was too tall. Gujarat`s batsmen`s struggle can be gauged from the fact that no. 10 batsman Bhavesh Baria (43) top-scored for the visitors. At stumps, Punjab were 127 for the loss of two wickets in their second essay, thus taking an overall lead of 172 runs. Openers Jiwanjot Singh (51) and Ravi Inder Singh (47) gave a solid start to Punjab`s second innings with a century stand. Taruwar Kohli (14 not out) and Mandeep Singh (8 not out) were at the crease at the close of play. Left-arm spinner Akshar Patel picked up both the Punjab wickets to fall today. Brief Scores: Punjab: 172 & 127 for two in 59 overs (Jiwanjot Singh 51, Ravi Inder Singh 47; Akshar Patel 2/22). Gujarat: 127 all out in 43.3 overs (Bhavesh Baria 43; Sandeep Sharma 4/59).