Published: Dec 22, 2012, 08:05 PM (IST)
Edited: Dec 22, 2012, 08:05 PM (IST)
Harbhajan Singh bagged three wickets for 61 runs to script Gujarat s fall on Saturday © Getty Images
Valsad: Dec 22, 2012
Struggling India spinner Harbhajan Singh on Saturday regained some of the lost touch with a three-wicket haul as Punjab restricted Gujarat to 261 for nine on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy Group A match.
Not only Harbhajan but paceman Sandeep Sharma and Siddarth Kaul also took three wickets each after Punjab opted to field at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Stadium.
None of the Gujarat batsmen could score a half-century but some gritty batting by the lower-order players ensured that the hosts have something on the board to fight for.
At the top, opener Samit Gohel (41) and Manprit Juneja (42) batted well but Harbhajan caused a middle-order collapse by dismissing Gohel, rival skipper Parthiv Patel (22) and Y Venugopal Rao (13).
Gohel and Juneja had added 79 runs for the second wicket when Kaul had Juneja caught behind for his second wicket. Kaul had earlier provided the first breakthrough by bowling opener Smit Patel (18)
Harbhajan then sent back Gohel and Patel and later Rao.
From a comfortable 107 for two, Gujarat were struggling at 173 for seven but Jasel Karia (40) and Rush Kalaria (40) rescued the side with a 84-run stand.
Kaul broke the partnership and took his third wicket when he had Karia caught behind. Punjab stumper Uday Kaul took four catches behind the wicket.
Brief Scores: Gujarat 261 for nine (Manprit Juneja 42, Samit Gohel 41; Sandeep Sharma 3 for 40, Harbhajan Singh 3 for 61) vs Punjab
