Punjab post 597 for 8 decl against Rajasthan

Jaipur: Karan Goel made a career-best 167 while Mayank Sidhana and Amitoze Singh too struck fluent centuries to help Punjab declare their first innings on 597 for eight on the second day of the Ranji Trophy Elite Division match against Rajasthan on Wednesday.

In reply, Rajasthan were 50 for one at the close of play with Aakash Chopra (18) and skipper Hrishikesh Kanitkar (20) remaining unbeaten. Vineet Saxena (6) was the lone Rajasthan batsman to fall, caught behind by Uday Kaul off Manpreet Gony (1/22). Earlier, resuming at 283 for three, Goel and Sidhana (122) looked at ease against the Rajasthan bowlers before their 108-run fourth-wicket stand was broken by Vineet Saxena, who had Goel caught by Chopra. Goel struck 21 fours and a six in his 378-ball stay at the crease. Punjab lost skipper Uday Kaul (7), who was retired hurt on first day, just before lunch when medium pacer Sumit Mathur had him caught by wicketkeeper Dishant Yagnik. But there was no end to the woes of Rajasthan bowlers as Sidhana and Amitoze (103) played some attacking cricket to leave the defending champions clueless. Both added 157 runs for the sixth-wicket partnership to help Punjab cross 500-run mark. Sidhana fell to right-arm spinner Vivek Yadav after completing his well-deserved hundred that came off 198 balls laced with 17 fours and a six. The 26-year-old stocky spinner Yadav ended Amitoze`s innings when he had him trapped lbw with a quicker delivery that kept a bit low. Amitoze hit 17 fours and a six in his breezy 97-ball innings. Punjab declared their innings after the fall of pacer Manpreet Gony, whose timbers were disturbed by Yadav. Brief Scores: Punjab first innings 597 for 8 decl (Karan Goel 167, Ravi Inder Singh 133, Mayank Sidhana 122, Amitoze Singh 103; Vivek Yadav 3/172, Sumit Mathur 2/114). Rajasthan first innings: 50 for one in 16 overs (Hrishikesh Kanitkar 20 batting, Aakash Chopra 18 batting; Manpreet Gony 1/22). PTI