Punjab reach 212 for 3 on day one against Railways

Mohali: Riding on two unbeaten half-centuries by Uday Kaul and Mandeep Singh, Punjab posted 212 for three against Railways on the first day of their Ranji Trophy Elite division Group A match on Tuesday.

After a poor start, Kaul (batting on 82) and Mandeep (batting on 61) not only steadied the boat but also remained unbeaten till the stumps were drawn. Opting to bowl, Railways` bowlers struck early to get rid of openers -- Manan Vohra (5) and Ravi Inder Singh (20) -- cheaply. Ravi though managed to put up a crucial 42-run stand with Karan Goel for the second wicket before he fell to JP Yadav bowling to be caught by wicketkeeper Mahesh Rawat. After Singh`s departure, Goel continued in the able company of Kaul and the duo shared a 46-run stand. Railways` decision to field first, meanwhile seemed to have worked as they also managed to see off Goel for 142-ball 36, studded with four boundaries, to leave Punjab at 97 for three. However, Kaul and Mandeep rebuilt the innings by stitching together an unbeaten 115-run fourth-wicket partnership. In his 234-minute stay at the wicket today, Kaul faced 183 deliveries, striking 11 fours in his patient knock, while Mandeep`s 110-ball knock included eight fours. For Railways, JP Yadav (one for 36), Krishnakant Upadhyay (one for 41) and Anupreet Singh (one for 57) chipped in with a wicket each. Brief Scores: Punjab 1st Innings: 212 for three in 90 overs (Uday Kaul batting 82, Mandeep Singh batting 61; JP Yadav 1/36). PTI