Ranji Trophy: Sanvir hits maiden double hundred as Punjab piles on runs against Andhra on Day 2

File Picture: Sanvir Singh scored his maiden double century (205) as Punjab declared its first innings at 592 for nine against Andhra. | Photo Credit: DEEPAK KR

New Chandigarh

Short-pitched deliveries — dealt with; good-length balls — left alone patiently; fuller ones — caressed with finesse. And after playing out the first session, even the good deliveries were dispatched with disdain in the second and third sessions.

That was how Sanvir Singh brought up his maiden double century (205, 375b, 22x4, 1x6) before Emanjot Singh Chahal struck his second hundred of the season (122, 150b, 7x4, 9x6) as Punjab buried Andhra under an avalanche of runs on the second day of the Ranji Trophy Elite Group B clash at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium here on Tuesday.

Punjab declared its first innings at 592 for nine.

The day began with overnight batter Salil Arora (144, 252b, 16x4, 3x6) playing second fiddle to Sanvir, who looked assured from the outset. The duo appeared comfortable until Salil, attempting a cheeky reverse sweep off left-arm spinner Saurabh Kumar, got a top edge and was caught behind, ending the 272-run sixth-wicket partnership.

In walked Emanjot amid constant chirping from the Andhra fielders and its dugout. The Punjab camp responded with louder cheers, egging him on.

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Sanvir initially took charge, finding the gaps and rotating the strike as the field spread. Once Emanjot settled in, the pair broke the shackles, driving through the covers and stepping out to loft the spinners.

Emanjot had lady luck smiling on him when, on 12, he appeared to edge a flighted delivery from Saurabh, but the umpire remained unmoved.

Thereafter, the duo took the attack to the bowlers. Sanvir reached his double ton with a six before falling to off-spinner T. Vijay.

Emanjot continued to score freely, using the sweep and slog-sweep and clearing the ropes before reaching a well-deserved landmark.

Andhra ended the day at 20 for no loss in nine overs, but with a mountain of runs still ahead, the visitor will have to bat out of its skin to get anywhere near the host’s total.

THE SCORES

Punjab — 1st innings: Vihaan Malhotra lbw b Raju 30, Prabhsimran Singh lbw b Raju 24, Jashanpreet Singh Sidhu c Vijay b Sai Teja 1, Uday Saharan c Rasheed b Saiteja 0, Ramandeep Singh c Rahul b Sai Teja 0, Salil Arora c Revanth b Saurabh 144, Sanvir Singh c Rasheed b Vijay 205, Emanjot Singh Chahal c Ricky b Saurabh 122, Harpreet Brar b Vijay 12, Sukhdeep Bajwa 38 (not out), Gursimran Singh 1 (not out); Extras (b-4, lb-1, w-3, nb-7): 15; Total (for nine wkts. decl. in 156 overs): 592.

Fall of wickets: 1-35, 2-51, 3-51, 4-51, 5-71, 6-343, 7-497, 8-511, 9-586.

Andhra bowling: Saiteja 28-3-110-3, Raju 26-5-70-2, Sasikanth 22-5-101-0, Vijay 27-3-127-2, Saurabh 45-5-144-2, Rasheed 8-0-35-0.

Andhra — 1st innings: C. Gnaneshwar (batting) 16, Revanth Reddy (batting) 3; Extras (lb-1): 1; Total (for no loss in nine overs): 20.

Punjab bowling: Harpreet 3-1-5-0, Gursimran 3-0-13-0, Sukhdeep 2-1-1-0, Emanjot 1-1-0-0.