Inder Singh's ton helps Punjab score 242-9 against Mumbai

Chandigarh, Nov 3: Left-handed batsman Ravi Inder Singh scored a resolute century as Punjab posted 242 for 9 in 86 overs on the opening day of the four-day Ranji Trophy Super League Group A match against formidable Mumbai being played at the sector 16 Cricket Stadium here today.

Despite losing opener Sunny Sohal (2) early, with scoreboard reading just 12, Punjab were propped by brilliant century by opener Inder Singh, who scored a magnificent 104 runs off 251 balls with the help of 17 fours and a six.

India discarded pacer Ajit Agarkar ended Inder's resolute innings as the opener offered a catch to Abhishek Nayar.

After Punjab skipper Ankur Kakkar won the toss and elected to bat, pacer Zaheer Khan, who is returning to competitive cricket after a shoulder injury, struck the first blow Zaheer had Sohal caught by Samant. Uday Kaul joined Inder and both took the total of 80 with a 68-run partnership for the second wicket.

Agarkar broke this partnership when he had Uday caught by Samant. Kaul contributed 28 runs with the help of four fours during his 100-minute vigil at the wicket.

While wickets continued to fall at regular intervals, Inder Singh batted with a resolution and scored 104. His innings was laced with 17 sweetly-timed boundaries and one six.

Inder faced 251 balls and stayed at the wicket for 373 minutes. His wicket fell at 233 for 8 in 81.4 overs. He was the eighth batsman out.

Manpreet Gony was batting on 30 when the stumps were drawn for the day. So far Gony has faced 47 balls and has hit five boundaries.

Giving him company was Love Ablis who has yet to open his account.

Agarkar (4/41) and Zaheer (3/45) was the pick of the bowlers for the visitors while another pacer Dhawal Kulkarni also made his mark by claiming two wickets.

--UNI

(c) 2009 Published with permission from United News of India.
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