Ranji Trophy: Punjab take control over Gujarat

Mohali: Taruwar Kohli (50) and Uday Kaul (52 not out) notched up half centuries as Punjab put themselves in the drivers` seat by posting 309 all out in their second innings on the third and penultimate day of their Ranji Trophy Group A match against Gujarat here on Saturday.

Resuming at 127 for two, Punjab added another 182 runs today with Kohli and wicketkeeper Kaul playing a major role. Mandeep Singh (46) was the other batsman who chipped in with a substantial score at the PCA Stadium. Kohli was solid in his 146-ball innings which was studded with five fours and a six while Kaul played an attacking innings by hitting 10 boundaries in his 93-ball knock. For Gujarat, Jasprit Bumrah and Mehul Patel grabbed three wickets apiece while Rakesh Dhruv took two wickets. Set with a victory target of 355, Gujarat were reduced to 33 for three from 24.5 overs at the draw of stumps. The visitors need another 322 runs with seven second innings wickets in hand. Opener Samit Gohel was batting on 20 while Rujul Bhatt was giving him company on four. The other opener Smit Patel, Manpreet Juneja and Bhargav Merai were out cheaply for 0, 3 and 6 respectively. Out of the three Gujarat wickets that fell today, Sandeep Sharma (Jr) grabbed two while Siddarth Kaul took one. Brief Scores: Punjab: 172 & 309 all out in 111.5 overs (Taruwar Kohli 50, Uday Kaul 52 not out; Jasprit Bumrah 3/63, Mehul Patel 3/79). Gujarat: 127 & 33 for 3 in 24.5 overs (Samit Gohel batting 20; Sandeep Sharma (Jr) 2/7).