Punjab skipper Vikram Rathour led from the front as they posted amammoth 526 for 7 declared against Himachal Pradesh at the IndiraStadium at Una
Anand Vasu31-Oct-2000Punjab skipper Vikram Rathour led from the front as they posted amammoth 526 for 7 declared against Himachal Pradesh at the IndiraStadium at Una. Resuming on a healthy 321 for 1, the Punjab side putthe Himachal attack to the sword. Batting at one drop, Reetinder SinghSodhi too joined the party. Although he lost his skipper with thescore on 385, he soldiered on singlehandedly.Rathour meanwhile had begun the Ranji season in exemplary fashion witha stroke-filled 203. His innings paved the way for Punjab and wasdotted with twenty five hits to the fence. Keen to make an impression,Reetinder Singh Sodhi helped himself to a comfortable unbeaten 125.Although the middle order lost its way a bit, hundreds at the top ofthe innings, Ravneet Ricky (113), Vikram Rathour (203) and ReetinderSingh Sodhi (125) saw them post a challenging score.In response, Himachal Pradesh began badly, losing their first wicketwithout any runs being scored. Rahul Panta was snared by Ravneet Rickyoff the bowling of Sodhi. The pairing was in action again when theycombined to get rid of the other opener – Nishchal Gaur. Rajiv Nayyar,at his patient best, was unbeaten on 23 when the day ended. In themean time, Ranji veteran Ajay Sharma, now playing for Himachal Pradeshmanaged just four before he was caught behind off Sodhi. With anunbeaten 125 while batting and 3/23 with the ball, the day clearlybelonged to Sodhi. Himachal Pradesh ended the day on 75/3 and tomorrowcould prove to be a crucial phase in this encounter.