Madhya Pradesh batters Shubham Sharma and Himanshu Mantri did precisely what Punjab had hoped to do in its first innings. On Tuesday, MP seized the lead with a classical century from Shubham (102 n.o., 210b, 9×4, 1×6) alongside Mantri’s 241-ball 89 to complete day two of the Ranji Trophy quarterfinal on a excessive right here on the Alur (3) floor.
Starting from in a single day 5 for no loss, MP imperceptibly silenced the Punjab bowlers over three periods and walked into stumps with Shubam and Rajat Patidar (20) unbeaten at 238 for 2 with a 19-run lead.
Openers Yash Dubey and Himanshu Mantri remained dedicated to their process of seeing off a potent Punjab new-ball assault in Sidharth Kaul and Baltej Singh. The seamers gave nothing away from both finish nor did the batters flinch for a second within the first 13 overs the place Kaul (5-2-3-0) and Baltej (7-3-7-0) have been on the high of their recreation.
While the lanky Baltej hit the deck laborious to extract bounce on a floor that had regained solidity publish the showers on Sunday, Kaul diversified his lengths and continuously flipped sides.
The openers virtually efficiently dead-batted via your entire session earlier than Punjab struck via leg-spinner Mayank Markande. Dubey, who scored a match-winning 289 towards Kerala in his final First Class outing, miscued an uncharacteristic slog-sweep straight to Baltej at mid-on.
Mantri and Shubham joined arms at 64 for one and led MP to lunch earlier than injecting gradual venom on Abhishek Sharma’s males.
Punjab had an early probability within the second session when Mantri chipped Markande to substitute fielder Prerit Dutta, who did not latch onto a regulation catch at mid-on. Punjab’s deplorable physique language quickly turned to unfavourable techniques, with six fielders being employed on the on-side halfway into the session.
One dimensional
The innings turned one-dimensional with Mantri and Shubham pummeling and caressing the ball upon advantage. Both batters accomplished their half-centuries by tea. However, in a momentary lapse of judgement, Mantri squandered an opportunity for his maiden First Class three-figure knock by stepping out to a flighted supply from Markande. The left-hander misinterpret the size and was out stumped.
MP didn’t deviate from its method as Shubham switched gears with the boldness of an in-form Patidar on the different finish. Shubham notched up his third century of the match from 5 innings, minutes earlier than shut of play as MP quietly tugged the momentum its method.
The scores: Punjab — 1st innings: 219.
MP — 1st innings: Yash Dubey c Baltej b Markande 20, Himanshu Mantri st. Anmol b Markande 89, Shubham Sharma (batting) 102, Rajat Patidar (batting) 20; Extras (lb-6, w-1) 7; Total (for 2 wkts. in 99 overs): 238.
Fall of wickets: 1-64, 2-184.
Punjab bowling: Baltej 15-7-22-0, Kaul 14-5-25-0, Vinay 23-6-57-0, Sanvir 9-2-19-0, Gurkeerat 6-0-16-0, Markande 23-2-70-2, Abhishek 7-0-18-0, Shubman 2-0-5-0.
Source: www.thehindu.com
