On target,Praveen sets the pace

Uttar Pradesh had all the time in the world to get their innings going and openers Tanmay Srivastava and Shivakant Shukla took quite a while to get going.

Uttar Pradesh had all the time in the world to get their innings going on Tuesday and openers Tanmay Srivastava and Shivakant Shukla took quite a while to get going,content with gauging the Victoria Park wicket. With Praveen Kumar skittling the remaining four Punjab wickets early in the morning to finish with a five-wicket haul,UP knew they had time on their side. And Kumars performance only added to the hosts confidence.

Karan Goel,overnight on 58,was Kumars first victim,and it took the paceman two overs to act on his plan. Feeding Goel repeated inswingers,he forced Goel to edge an outgoing delivery,then scalped Rajwinder off a rising delivery. I enjoyed bowling on this wicket. The pitch was offering bounce and movement,which meant all I had to do was to stick to my plans, Praveen Kumar said,talking to The Indian Express.

With 27 overs in the entire innings,Praveen Kumar struck at crucial junctures to stifle Punjab. Though considered a limited-overs bowler for long,Kumar was confident of succeeding in the longer format. I have been bowling a lot for UP in the recent past. I had a feeling I can bowl for long periods. I just need to bowl on the right areas, he said.

Ask him about bowling against good players and he explains: I just bowl with full power,concentrating on bowling in the same area without thinking about what the batsman would do. I also keep experimenting with my deliveries.

Kumars Tuesday morning spell was instrumental in raising the spirits of RP Singh as well. After a disappointing first day,RP began by testing Harmeet Singh with a couple of bouncers upfront,but the latter refused to succumb to the pressure. However,Harmeets grit was unable to add much to the Punjab score,with wickets falling at the other end to leave him unbeaten on 29. RP Singh picked up two to restrict Punjab to 288.

Brief scores: Punjab 1st inngs 288 Karan Goel 58,Yuvraj Singh 52; Praveen Kumar 5/72,Piyush Chawla 2/51,RP Singh 2/82; UP 1st inngs 221/5 Mohd Kaif 58,Shivakant Shukla 39,Digvijay Singh 38;Rajwinder Singh 2/42