Dharmani guides Punjab to 212/7 against TN

Amritsar:

Pankaj Dharmani's patient 74 gave some respectability to Punjab as the hosts struggled to 212 for seven on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy Super League Group A match against Tamil Nadu on Tuesday.

At stumps, Dharmani was holding fort with tailender Bharat Loomba (0) for company.

Off to a slow start after opting to bat first, Punjab had put just 38 runs on board when they were dealt the first blow by R Sathish, who castled Vikas Bhalla (6) in the 11th over.

Wickets kept tumbling at regular interval thereafter with the opener R Inder Singh too was clean bowled by Yo Mahesh.

Inder scored 26 runs off 55 balls and hit three fours.

Uday Kaul's run out after a painfully slow 11-run knock, that came off 48 deliveries, added to Punjab's misery before Chandan Madan and Dharmani combined to steady the rocking ship.

The two put on 58 runs before Aushik Srinivas ended the partnership by removing Madan, who added 36 valuable runs to the total. However, Dharmani put together brief partnerships with Ankur Kakkar (14) and Gaurav Gambhir (28) to lend some respectability to the Punjab total.

For the visitors, Yo Mahesh returned the day's best figures of 60 for two from 16 overs. L Balaji, Sathish, Srinivas and R Ashwin took a wicket apiece.

Brief Scores: Punjab 1st Innings: 212 for 7 in 90 overs (Pankaj Dharmani 74 batting, Yo Mahesh 2/60).