Punjab back in the hunt

Rajkot, Jan. 19: Punjab captain Harbhajan Singh led from the front as his four-wicket haul brought Punjab right back in the hunt on the penultimate day of their Ranji Trophy semifinal against Saurashtra here on Saturday.

Harbahajan grabbed four for 60 — his best figures in the current Ranji season — as Saurashtra were bowled out for a paltry 170, which meant Punjab were required to chase 349 in 109 overs as the hosts had a commendable 178 run first innings lead.

The visitors were at 45 for 2, needing another 304 runs with eight wickets in hand. In-form players Jiwanjot Singh and Taruwar Kohli were dismissed by left-arm seamer Jaydev Unadkat.

However Punjab’s chances will depend on how the trio of Ravi Inder Singh, Mandeep Singh and Uday Kaul negotiate spin twins — offie Kamlesh Makvana and left-arm spinner Vishal Joshi.

Punjab made a spirited comeback after being dismissed for 299 in the first innings with Harbhajan opening the bowling attack alongside Siddharth Kaul, who snapped 3 for 53.

It was the senior spinner who removed the stodgy veteran Shitanshu Kotak (53), Aarpit Vasavada (6) and Kamlesh Makvana in one of his spells as Saurashtra lost seven wickets for the addition of 28 runs.

Harbhajan got appreciable turn and bounce on the fourth day as Saurashtra looked ucomfortable during the 26 overs that he sent down. — PTI