Punjab spinners contain Services

The three Punjab bowlers struck in tandem to torment and tease the home team batsmen. Only a 47-run partnership for the fifth wicket between Chinmaya and C D Thomson (21: 3×4) saved the Services further embarrassment.

Punjab, which has gained 16 points from their two games against J-K and Himachal, are in the re-building process, with several youngsters getting an opportunity to make their mark. Left-arm Navdeep Singh, making his Ranji debut this season, was the most impressive, finishing with four for 30 from his 17.1 overs.

Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, playing his first match after being cleared of his `bowling action’ by England’s Fred Titmus, bowled smoothly in spells to claim three for 54 off 32 overs, although Chinmaya did not hesitate to punish his loose deliveries, which were not many.

Teenage leg-spinner Sandeep Sawal, despite an unorthodox action, was impressive enough to return two for 19.

Vidarbha recover
New Delhi: Paresh Sutane (88) and Yogesh Ghare (batting 61) helped Vidarbha reach 177 for three against Railways on the second day of the Central Zone Ranji Trophy league match at the Karnail Singh Stadium here today.

Morning downpour in the Capital, however, made the ground remain soggy even at the time of the start of play. But the sun came out and the day’s proceedings took off 20 minutes after lunch allowing 62 overs to be bowled.

Resuming the overnight score of 13 for one with Paresh Sutane and Abhay Kale, Vidarbha lost their second wicket eight runs later when Kale (4) was caught by wicketkeeper Abhay Sharma off medium pacer Zakir Hussain.

Yogesh Ghare joined Sutan to put up 96 runs for the third wicket. Sutane made a brilliant 88 before being caught by Yere Goud off Kulamani Parida with the score on 118. At the fall of the third wicket, Vidarbha captain Lalchand Rajput took the rein with fluent-going Ghare and the two contributed 59 runs for the fourth wicket.

Both Ghare (61) and Rajput (16) were at the crease when play was called off well before the scheduled time due to bad light.

Brief Scores: Vidarbha: 177 for 3 (Paresh Sutane 88, Yogesh Ghare batting 61, Lalchand Rajput batting 16).