In another exciting day’s action of the Ranji Trophy, it was Punjab who took control against Delhi, but it was an event filled day at the Feroz Shah Kotla where the umpires also had to intervene in a tussle between Nitish Rana and Siddharth Kaul. Uttarakhand moved closer to the knockouts after securing a healthy lead against Arunachal Pradesh.
Here are the major Ranji takeaways from Day 2 of the fourth round action:
Yuvraj Fails, Gambhir Fires Even as Tempers Flare at Kotla
Yuvraj Singh scored a painstaking 24 off 88 balls but Punjab still took charge against Delhi, taking a 175-run first innings lead at the Kotla. Delhi started well in their second innings, with Gautam Gambhir scoring 60. Delhi openers - Hiten Dalal and Gautam Gambhir - put on a 72-run partnership for the first wicket but the home side collapsed from 72/0 to end day at 106/6. The visitors will be eyeing seven points with a big victory. Punjab fast bowler Siddharth Kaul also got into an heated exchange with Delhi captain Nitish Rana, after dismissing him for 10. The umpires had to intervene and the match-referee is likely to take a stern view of the same.
Rajasthan took charge against Uttar Pradesh, as Robin Bist’s 96 helped them reach 311 in first innings. Uttar Pradesh were struggling at 146/7, with Suresh Raina top scoring with 33.
Tamil Nadu, Mumbai and Karnataka Take Control
Other big guns in action, Tamil Nadu, Mumbai and Karnataka were all in commanding positions in their respective games. Rahil Shah picked five and M.Mohammed picked four as Tamil Nadu dismissed Bengal for 189. Tamil Nadu were 12/1, taking a 86-run lead at stumps.
Karnataka took a 76-run first innings lead against Maharashtra, after late fightback led by Shreyas Gopal’s gutsy 40 helped them end at 186.
Rajat Bhatia Leads From the Front for Uttarakhand
Rajat Bhatia scored an unbeaten 152 off 142 balls as Uttarakhand declared at 470/4, helping them take a 365-run lead against Arunachal Pradesh. Uttarakhand look set for their fourth successive win and that moves them closer to the knockout stage.
Meanwhile, in other plate matches, rain played havoc again as the game between Pondicherry and Mizoram was washed out without a ball being bowled on the day. Mizoram is the 17th team against which Pankaj Singh has taken a five-wicket haul in the Ranji Trophy.
Meghalaya moved closer to victory after securing a 115-run first innings lead against Mizoram, before restricting them to 125/8 at stumps.
Bihar ended the day with a 357-run lead after dismissing Sikkim for 81.
Scores
Assam 310 vs Haryana 97 and 78/7
Manipur 211& 125/8 vs Meghalaya 326
Odisha 212 vs Tripura 122 & 130/5
Arunachal Pradesh 105 & 98/2 vs Uttarakhand 470/4d
Bihar 288 & 150/4 vs Sikkim 81
Chhattisgarh 232 vs Vidarbha 119/3
Karnataka 186 vs Maharashtra 113 & 48/3
Mumbai 297 vs Gujarat 232/8
Saurashtra 521 vs Baroda 10/0
Delhi 107 & 106/6 vs Punjab 282
Hyderabad 146/1 vs Himachal 351
Kerala 63 & 38/4 vs Madhya Pradesh 328
Tamil Nadu 263 & 12/1 vs Bengal 189
Goa 364 vs Jharkhand 147/2
Services 252 vs J & K 95 & 115/6
Uttar Pradesh 146/7 vs Team Rajasthan 311/9
Pondicherry 163/3 vs Mizoram 92