As the teams retired after the day's play,the visitors' dressing room was markedly more animated than the hosts,and with enough justification. Tamil Nadu were up against not only their opponents but also obviously uncomfortable conditions,but by the time play was called off,they had their noses ahead after Day One of the crucial tie. The Tamil Nadu bowlers not only managed to restrict the Punjab batting,they also managed to overcome the cold. Punjab were 212 for seven when stumps were drawn at the Gandhi Grounds and,except for the seasoned Pankaj Dharmani,who scored an unbeaten 74,TN bowlers held the upper hand all day. Last-match's centurion Vishwas Bhalla opened with Ravi Inder Singh as Punjab decided to bat first but the move backfired as Bhalla was dismissed for six. And when Punjab lost Ravi,it was obvious that being too defensive against the new ball wasn't working. Uday Kaul was run out and Punjab were 62 for 3 before Dharmani steadied the innings. He added 58 for the fourth wicket with Chandan Madan but just when the two looked comfortable,Madan was dismissed for 36,bowled by left-arm spinner Aushik Srinivas. Dharmani found able support in Gaurav Gambhir,and a life when Dinesh Karthik missed a stumping,but that was the only blemish in his knock. Brief Scores: Punjab 1st Innings: 212 for 7 (Pankaj Dharmani batting 74,Chandan Madan 36; Yo Mahesh 2/6,L Balaji 1/30) vs Tamil Nadu
