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Punjab in strong position

By Our Sports Reporter

PALAKKAD NOV. 8. Punjab captain Dinesh Mongia could not have asked for a better day in domestic cricket. The World Cupper made a sterling 151 (228 balls, 22x4) and later happily watched his team-mates Reetinder Singh Sodhi (57, 90 balls, 1x6, 4x4) and Chandan Madan (67, 112 balls, 8x4) collect some quick runs in the Ranji Trophy Elite Group `A' cricket match against host Kerala at the Fort Maidan here on Saturday.

With Punjab piling up a huge 541 for seven on a rain-hit second day, everything seems to be moving as per Mongia's plan. Even the heavy rain which stopped play four minutes before tea, seemed to favour the visitor. For Punjab is in a position from where it can dictate the proceedings.

"It's time to declare tomorrow morning. It's a good score to declare. And now that it's raining, it should help the bowlers tomorrow. It should be a big plus for us,'' said Mongia.

The left-hander, who completed his century last evening, was a picture of confidence this morning, cutting and chipping the ball cleanly and going for neat placements. And Punjab, overnight 305 for two, progressed at a quick pace.

Mongia's was the first wicket to fall this morning, bowled by the young fast bowler John Grandbell. The Kochi-based Grandbell, who comes from the Swantons Club where Tinu Yohannan was initiated into cricket, collected another prized scalp half hour later, forcing Pankaj Dharmani (30, 88 balls, 4x4) to edge a catch to wicketkeeper C.M. Deepak.

"I've got four Ranji wickets from four matches now, but these two were my best ones,'' said the 24-year-old Grandbell who made his Ranji debut last year. And for the second successive day, his more popular team-mate Tinu went empty-handed.

The exit of the Mongia and Dharmani brought former junior India captain Reetinder Singh Sodhi and Chandan Madan on stage. And the pair gambled gamely, went for some quick runs and put on a 115-run stand for the fifth wicket.

With dark rain clouds hanging ominously and with their target achieved, Reetinder, Chandan Madan and Amit Uniyal made their exit in quick succession, the three falling within the space of 20 minutes. Reetinder was bowled by left-arm spinner M. Suresh Kumar, Chandan Madan was run out by a direct throw from Sujith Somasunder and Amit was stumped by Deepak, off left-arm spinner Sreekumar Nair.

Kerala vice-captain Sreekumar Nair, who picked two wickets on the opening day, added one more to his kitty today. This afternoon's heavy rain could force a late start tomorrow. And clearly, Kerala has a lot of work to do.

The scores: Punjab - 1st innings: 541 for seven in 153 overs (Ravneet Ricky 125, Samrat Sharma 38, Dinesh Mongia 151, Pankaj Dharmani 30, Reetinder Singh Sodhi 57, Chandan Madan 67, Sreekumar Nair three for 110) v Kerala.

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