The game-plan was evident. Twice, Chirag Jani tested Yuvraj Singh with a bouncer. Unfrazzled, he ducked, allowing it to sail over into wicketkeeper Sagar Jogyani’s hands. Jani, though, would not give in. In the following over, he bowled another short one. This time, Yuvraj went for the pull. It took the top edge and skied over the keeper’s head. The two slips gave it a chase, with Jani hoping he got his man. But to his frustration, the ball dropped in no mans land. The Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium pitch has traditionally been a batsman’s paradise. But Yuvraj’s weakness against short ball is well documented and the hosts were keen to exploit it. The India discard, however, did not flinch and won the battle, scoring an unbeaten 95 on Day One of the Ranji Trophy tie at Khanderi here. Yuvraj’s stroke-filled knock along with Mandeep Singh's brilliant century (154 not out) set Punjab on course to recording a high first innings score, having ended the first day against Saurashtra at 327 for 3. Such was the focus around Yuvraj’s knock that Mandeep’s innings was pushed to the background. More than his time in the middle, the circumstances around it made the left-hander’s knock special. If getting a constant cold shoulder for the national team was not enough, he was omitted by the BCCI in the annual contract list released last week. Restrained Yuvraj If that was still playing on his mind, Yuvraj did well to conceal it when he was out in the middle on Sunday. He did not get carried away by the flat track, he showed commendable composure and calmness, like he has in his previous two innings. Yuvraj’s tons in last two matches too personified patience, scoring 136 from 160 balls against Maharashtra and 130 in 160 balls against Haryana. Against Saurashtra too, he restrained himself when the bowlers tested him with bouncers while exhibiting his trademark cover drives when they bowled full length. He brought up his half century in 83 balls, 38 of those runs coming in boundaries (8x4, 1x6). His only challenge then was to prolong his stay at the crease, having been accused of throwing his wicket too cheaply in the past. Though Yuvraj remained the centre of attraction, Mandeep silently went about his job, posting his first big hundred of the season. Mandeep, whose highest score of the season before this match was 34, came in with score at 64 for two. Sudeep Tyagi had removed openers Jiwanjot Singh and Amitoze Singh. He showed equal measure of aggression and cacalmnes, scoring boundary almost every over without taking unnecessary risk. He brought up his century with a push towards mid-wicket off Arpit Vasavada. Despite his sturdy innings, all eyes remained fixed on Yuvraj, who will be aiming for his third century when he walks into bat on Monday morning. Brief scores: Punjab 327 for 3 in 90 overs (Mandeep Singh batting 154, Yuvraj Singh batting 95; Sudeep Tyagi 2/51, Kamlesh Makwana 1/81) against Saurashtra.
