Batsmen put Punjab in position of strength against Railways

Karan Goel put up a 42-run stand with for the second wicket with Ravi Inder Singh for Punjab © Getty Images

 

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Mohali: Nov 29, 2011

 

Riding on two unbeaten half-centuries by Uday Kaul and Mandeep Singh, Punjab posted 212 for three against Railways on the first day of their Ranji Trophy Elite division Group A match on Tuesday.

 

After a poor start, Kaul (82*) and Mandeep (61*) not only steadied the boat but also remained unbeaten till the stumps were drawn.

 

Opting to bowl, Railways’ bowlers struck early to get rid of openers — Manan Vohra (5) and Ravi Inder Singh (20) — cheaply.

 

Ravi though managed to put up a crucial 42-run stand with Karan Goel for the second wicket before he fell to JP Yadav bowling to be caught by wicketkeeper Mahesh Rawat.

 

After Singh’s departure, Goel continued in the able company of Kaul and the duo shared a 46-run stand.

 

Railways’ decision to field first, meanwhile seemed to have worked as they also managed to see off Goel for 142-ball 36, studded with four boundaries, to leave Punjab at 97 for three.

 

However, Kaul and Mandeep rebuilt the innings by stitching together an unbeaten 115-run fourth-wicket partnership.

 

In his 234-minute stay at the wicket, Kaul faced 183 deliveries, striking 11 fours in his patient knock, while Mandeep’s 110-ball knock included eight fours.

 

For Railways, JP Yadav (one for 36), Krishnakant Upadhyay (one for 41) and Anupreet Singh (one for 57) chipped in with a wicket each.(PTI)

 

Brief Scores: Punjab 212 for three (Uday Kaul 82*, Mandeep Singh 61*; JP Yadav 1 for 36) vs Railways