Bisht, Parida show gives hosts hope

Rajasthan needed to pull off something special to chase Punjab's huge total and Robin Bisht and seasoned Rashmi Parida took on the challenge. The duo stitched a 185-run unbeaten fifth-wicket partnership to give the defending champions a fleeting hope of taking the first innings lead. Ashutosh Sharma reports. Elsewhere in Ranji

Rajasthan needed to pull off something special to chase Punjab's huge total and Robin Bisht and seasoned Rashmi Parida took on the challenge. The duo stitched a 185-run unbeaten fifth-wicket partnership to give the defending champions a fleeting hope of taking the first innings lead.

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Rajasthan finished the day on 321/4 but are still 276 runs behind Punjab. "If we manage to bat through the day tomorrow, I think we will overhaul the target," Rajasthan skipper Hrishikesh Kanitkar said. They still need 126 runs to save the follow on with six wickets in hand.

Earlier, Punjab had gained the upper hand, reducing the hosts to 136/4 in the 50th over but were later hampered by the unavailability of medium pacer Manpreet Gony. Gony bowled just 11 overs and then sat out with a side strain. It all probability, he won't be available on the last day, which might affect Punjab's chances.

Brief scores: Punjab 597/8 decl vs Rajasthan 321/4 in 106 ovs (R Parida 71 no, R Bisht 104 no).