Jiwanjot strikes double ton on debut; Punjab close in on win

Mohali: Young batsman Jiwanjot Singh struck a double hundred on his first class debut as Punjab strengthened its position against Hyderabad by taking a massive 307-run first innings lead in their Ranji Trophy match, here on Sunday.

Resuming at 243 for no loss, the hosts scored a mammoth 565 for six declared as Jiwanjot (213) became only the fifth Indian to score a double hundred on debut. The hosts then reduced Hyderabad to 46 for three in their second innings to be seven wickets away from an outright win with a full day at their disposal. Young Punjab medium pacer Siddarth Kaul took all the three Hyderabadi wickets to fall. The visitors had scored just 258 in their first innings. Punjab dominated the proceedings on the third day as well as Jiwanjot, who will turn 22 on Tuesday, batted splendidly after resuming at his overnight score of 116. His opening partner Karan Goel (129) though could add only 23 runs to his overnight total. Jiwanjot scored at a brisk pace today, scoring 213 runs off just 368 balls. He struck 33 boundaries before being bowled by Pagadala Naidu. Jiwanjot and Goel added 288 runs for the first wicket before Hanuma Vihari had the latter caught behind to break the stand. New-man in Mayank Sidhana (8) did not last long as he was trapped by Naidu but Mandeep Singh (33) supported Jiwanjot well. Uday Kaul (54 not out) and skipper Harbhajan Singh (48 not out) carried on the with the momentum after Jiwanjot went back to pavilion. The two batsmen ensured that the lead was in excess of 300 and declared their innings to give the bowlers chance to get 10 wickets. Siddarth had Hyderabad opener D Ravi Teja (16) and Hanuma Vihari (0) caught behind in a single over and then also removed Pagadala Naidu (0) in the same fashion. The other opener Akshat Reddy was unbeaten on 24 along with skipper VVS Laxman, who is yet to open his account. Brief Scores: Hyderabad: 258 and 46 for 3 in 15 overs. (A Reddy 24 batting; S Kaul 3/7). Punjab 1st innings: 565 for 6 declared. (Jiwanjot 213, Karan Goel (129); P Naidu 2/85). PTI