Punjab captain Harbhajan Singh led from the front as his four-wicket haul brought Punjab right back in the hunt on the penultimate day of their Ranji Trophy semi-final against Saurashtra in Rajkot.
Harbahajan grabbed four for 60 — his best figures in the current Ranji season as Saurashtra were bowled out for paltry 170 which meant Punjab were required to chase 349 in 109 overs as the hosts had a commendable 178 run first innings lead.
The visitors were 45 for two, needing another 304 runs with eight wickets in hand. In-form Jiwanjot Singh and Taruwar Kohli were dismissed by Jaydev Unadkat.
Brief Scores
Saurashtra 477 and 170
(S Kotak 53, S Jackson 44*, Harbhajan 4/60, S Kaul 3/53).
Punjab 299 and 45/2 (J Unadkat 2/20).
No play possible despite sunshine
New Delhi: Bright sunshine throughout the day wasn’t good enough to ensure even a single ball on the fourth day at the Palam grounds pitch which was badly affected after Thursday night’s heavy rains.
No play on the second successive day means that Mumbai have been put in a fix and will have to alter their gameplan against hosts Services.
{{/usCountry}}No play on the second successive day means that Mumbai have been put in a fix and will have to alter their gameplan against hosts Services.
{{/usCountry}}“It depends on when the match starts tomorrow. If we get 180 overs of play in the next two days (if the first innings don’t finish, provision for a sixth reserve day is there), a result is definitely possible,” coach Sulakshan Kulkarni said.