Manpreet Gony (5 for 47) bowled another fiery spell to hand Punjab the initiative at the end of Day One against Himachal at the PCA Stadium on Tuesday.
Winning an important toss for the second consecutive time, Punjab skipper Pankaj Dharmani had no hesitation in putting the opposition in on a lively wicket. Punjab opened with the medium pace of Love Ablish and Harmeet Bansal and the hosts straightaway reaped the benefits of bowling in overcast conditions.
Ablish cleaned up opener Bhavin Thakkar in the third over with the scoreboard on eight. Himachal got another jolt when Ablish disturbed Paras Dogra’s wickets.
At 24 for two, the visitors’ hopes hinged on Sangram Singh and Vinit Indulkar. In the 11th over, Ablish had Sangram poking at a ball outside off and Himachal slid further. With Ablish doing the damage in the first hour, the stage was set for Punjab to launch an all-out attack. Gony replaced Bansal and peppered the batsmen with bouncers and swung the ball both ways.
The combination of Gony and Uday Kaul ended Mukesh Sharma’s (12) stay when Kaul took a sharp catch at silly point. Ajay Mannu and Rishi Dhawan departed in quick succession and Himachal were tottering at 77 for six.
At the other end, Indulkar kept the scoreboard ticking and found an able partner in Kuldeep Diwan. The duo applied
themselves to realize a 87-run partnership. Indulkar fell to Gony for well-made 60 while Diwan carried his bat through and ended with 56.
At the other end, Indulkar kept the scoreboard ticking and found an able partner in Kuldeep Diwan. The duo applied
themselves to realize a 87-run partnership. Indulkar fell to Gony for well-made 60 while Diwan carried his bat through and ended with 56.
After Indulkar’s departure, wickets fell at regular intervals and Himachal were bundled out for 197.
In reply, Punjab openers Ravi Inder Singh and Vishwas Bhalla fell to seamers Vikramjeet Malik and Ashok Thakur as the hosts slumped to 24 for two.
Brief scores: Himachal 1st inn: 197 all out (V. Indulkar 60, K Diwan not out 56; M Gony 5-47, L Ablish 3-57) vs Punjab 1st inn: 37 for 2.