Jiwanjot Singh (131, 250b, 19x4) and Taruwar Kohli (151 not out) hit centuries to help Punjab take the crucial first-innings lead over Jharkhand on the fourth and penultimate day of their Ranji Trophy quarterfinal match here on Wednesday.
In reply to Jharkhand’s first innings total of 401, Punjab reached 435 for three at stumps. The match looks headed for a draw with the visitors, in all probability, making the next round on basis of their first innings total.
Besides Jiwanjot and Kohli, Mandeep Singh also chipped in with valuable 96 (230b, 12x4).
Resuming at 150 for one, Jiwanjot (starting at 77) and Kohli (on 26) did not have any trouble in facing the Jharkhand attack on a flat Keenan Stadium wicket.
The duo put on a 156-run stand before the host’s captain and left-arm spinner, Shahbaz Nadeem, got the breakthrough by dismissing Jiwanjot. It was the fifth century for Jiwanjot who had made debut in the first class cricket this season.
Kohli was then joined by Mandeep and they together stitched a 204-run stand. Kohli’s unbeaten knock came off 381 deliveries and included 16 fours and a six. Playing with four regular bowlers, Jharkhand brought in part timers — Ishank Jaggi, Akash Verma and Manish Vardhan — to break Kohli-Mandeep partnership.
Vardhan managed to strike in the first delivery of his second over when he got Mandeep caught in the mid-wicket.
The scores:Jharkhand — 1st innings: 401.
Punjab — 1st innings: Jiwanjot Singh b Nadeem 131, R. Inder Singh c Vardhan b Nadeem 37, Taruwar Kohli (batting) 151, Mandeep c Jaggi b Vardhan 96; Extras (b-4, lb-4, nb-12): 20; Total (for three wkts. in 155.1 overs): 435.
Fall of wickets: 1-75, 2-231, 3-435.
Jharkhand bowling: Ajay Yadav 16-4-37-0, Shankar Rao 24-5-89-0, Shahbaz Nadeem 57-17-121-2, Sunny Gupta 51-7-149-0, Akash Verma 1-0-5-0, Manish Vardhan 1.1-0.2-1, Ishank Jaggi 5-0-24-0.
