Ranji Trophy: Punjab Pin Hope on Yuvraj Singh Against Baroda

Hardik Pandya and Pinal Shah struck half centuries to take Baroda to 475 all out before the home side reduced Punjab to 112 for three on the second day of their Group B Ranji Trophy cricket match here on Monday. (Baroda Dominate Punjab on Opening Day)

Resuming at 344 for 3, Baroda added 131 runs in 40.5 overs with Pandya (59) and Shah (55) doing most of the scoring as wickets fell at regular intervals.

To the credit of Punjab bowlers, they restricted Baroda to below 500. Considering the strong show by Baroda batsmen on the first day yesterday, the score could have gone above 500. Kedar Devdhar (186) and Aditya Waghmode (96) had given Baroda the platform for a big total on Sunday.

For Punjab, Deepak Bansal grabbed three wickets while Brainder Sarn and Gurkeerat Singh got two wickets apiece. Harbhajan Singh and Siddharth Kaul bagged a wicket each.

In reply to Baroda's big first innings total, Punjab made a horrible start as they were reduced to 19 for 3 in the sixth over before Uday Kaul (47 batting) and Yuvraj (43 batting) stitched 93 runs for the unbroken fourth wicket to take the visiting team to 112 for 3 in 36 overs.

Kaul has faced 102 balls so far from which he hit seven boundaries while Yuvraj has struck eight fours from 93 balls he has faced so far before the draw of stumps.

For Baroda, Irfan Pathan took two wickets while Munaf Patel got one.

Punjab now trail by 363 runs with seven first innings wickets in hand.

Brief Score: Baroda 1st Innings: 475 all out in 130.5 overs (Kedar Devdhar 186, Aditya Waghmode 96, Hardik Pandya 59, Pinal Shah 55; Deepak Bansal 3/57) Punjab 1st Innings: 112 for 3 in 36 overs (Uday Kaul 47 batting, Yuvraj Singh 43 batting; Irfan Pathan 2/33)