Kakkar hits century as Punjab take two points

Punjab secured two points on the basis of their first innings lead as their four-day Elite Group 'A' Ranji Trophy match against Railways ended in a draw in Delhi on Friday.

After Railways' first innings folded up at 390, Punjab did well to overtake the target, scoring 472 in reply.

The two points they earned from the match, took their points tally to six from five matches.

For Punjab, overnight batsman Ankur Kakkar completed a well-deserved century on the fourth morning today and remained not out on 124.

Navdeep Singh stayed close to three hours at the crease for his 35 to frustrate Railways, which used as many as nine bowlers in a bid to restrict the opposition.

J P Yadav, who took both the Punjab wickets this morning – that of Navdeep Singh and Rajesh Sharma,  trapped leg-before in the space of four balls -- finished with five for 82.

In their second innings, Railways were 114 for four with opener Amit Pagnis unbeaten on 51 and Siddharth Verma on four when the match ended.

Railways must be quite disappointed about not being able to garner any point on home ground. They have ten points from five outings.

After making 390, Railways bowled really well to reduce the visitors to 196 for six, brightening the chance of taking the first innings lead. But Kakkar, partnering the lower-order batsmen, proved their nemesis. The rearguard action saw the visitors not only pulling themselves out of the woods but also earn a 82-run lead.

Two points here could have made Railways' task of qualifying for the semi-finals from the group easier as they will be playing their next match against defending champions Mumbai, undoubtedly the toughest side to beat in the competition.

Their seventh and last round match is against 2000 Ranji champions Baroda, who are not in their best form and struggling at the moment.

Punjab, on the other hand, after the morale-boosting draw here, could look forward to beat Railways in the race in their last league match is against Mumbai.

Punjab's sixth round match will be against Andhra at home from December 17-20.

Railways (1st innings): 390

Punjab (1st innings): (overnight 295 for eight)
R Ricky lbw Harvinder 2
Yuvraj Singh c & b Khanolkar 80
D Mongia c Khanolkar b Parida 33
P Dharmani c Bangar b Yadav 43
Retinder Sodhi lbw Yadav 31
Ankur Kakkar not out 124
Chandan Madan lbw Yadav 0
Amit Uniyal c Yadav b Harvinder 45
Gagandeep Singh run out 50
Navdeep Singh lbw Yadav 35
Rajesh Sharma lbw Yadav 0

Extras: (b-13, lb-11, w-4, nb-1) 29

Total: (all out, 182.5 overs) 472

Fall of wickets: 1-26, 2-105, 3-135, 4-191, 5-194, 6-196, 7-281, 8-385, 9-472.

Bowling: Harvinder Singh 31-9-74-2, J P Yadav 26.5-9-82-5, Bangar 21-8-59-0, Parida 58-16-125-1, Khanolkar 38-10-84-1, Goud 5-0-16-0, Siddharth Verma 1-0-5-0, T P Singh 1-0-2-0, Santosh Sahu 1-0-1-0.

Railways (2nd innings):
S Bangar c Madan b Gagandeep 17
A Pagnis not out 51
T P Singh lbw Sodhi 11
J P Yadav b Gagandeep 11
Y Goud b Navdeep 15
S Verma not out 4

Extras: (lb-1, nb-3, w-1) 5

Total: (for 4 wkts, 44 overs) 114

Fall of wickets: 1-18, 2-37, 3-48, 4-106.