Ranji Trophy: Mayank Markande, Anmolpreet Singh keep Punjab in the hunt

Earlier, resuming on the overnight score of 240 for seven, the Hyderabad lower-order, anchored by Himalay Agarwal, reached 317.

Punjab leg-spinner Mayank Markande claimed a career-best haul of six for 84 against Hyderabad in the Ranji Trophy match in Hyderabad on Sunday.

Leg-spinner Mayank Markande's career-best haul of six for 84 in only his fourth Ranji match combined with Anmolpreet Singh's disciplined 85 (149b, 12 x 4) helped Punjab stay in the hunt for a vital first innings lead against Hyderabad on the second day of the four-day Ranji Trophy Group B match at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium here on Sunday.

Earlier, resuming on the overnight score of 240 for seven, the Hyderabad lower-order, anchored by Himalay Agarwal, reached 317.

The first hour belonged to Markande, who cleaned up the lower-order in an excellent spell, to end the Hyderabad innings in the 20th over of the day. In reply, Punjab scored 202 for four at the close of play.

As it happened: Ranji Trophy 2018-19: Round 7, Day 2 Highlights

Anmolpreet leads riposte

Punjab lost opener Shubman Gill cheaply; he was trapped lbw by pacer T. Ravi Teja. Teja could've had his second when the latter had Anmolpreet caught behind on zero but it was called a no-ball.

At the other end, fast bower Md Siraj induced an edge from Jiwanjot Singh to leave Punjab reeling at 18 for two in the sixth over.

Meanwhile, the home team suffered a serious setback with injured pacer Ravi Kiran walking off the field in the second over of the innings. He came back in the afternoon session only to walk back again in serious pain after bowling just 1.3 overs in total.

However, for Punjab, Anmolpreet, Sanvir Singh and captain Mandeep Singh chipped in with useful contributions to keep Hyderabad at bay.

At Hyderabad: Hyderabad 317 in 109.3 overs (Tanmay Agarwal 60, Akshath Reddy 77, Himalay Agarwal 79, Mayank Markande six for 84) v Punjab 202 for four in 68 overs (Amolpreet Singh 85, Mandeep Singh 46 batting).