Prabhsimran, Salil and Ramandeep take Punjab to 289 for 6 on Ranji Trophy opening day

On Monday at the Gymkhana in Hyderabad, Punjab closed the opening day of their Ranji Trophy match against Hyderabad on 289 for six, powered by contributions from Prabhsimran Singh, Salil Arora and Ramandeep Singh.

A pitch expected to turn offered fewer rewards for the tweakers than anticipated; windy conditions helped the pacers and most wickets fell to seamers as the afternoon progressed.

Hyderabad drew first blood when Rakshann Readdi struck early, Ruthik Yadav pouching a catch at deep fine leg to send Vihaan Malhotra back for 12 (20b). Harnoor Brar’s dismissal soon after the drinks break came against the run of play when a sweep produced a top edge that wicketkeeper Pragnay Reddy held.

Prabhsimran rode a reprieve — Abhirath Reddy put down a chance at short cover — and made the most of it, reaching 50 in 82 balls and eventually scoring 81 off 126 balls, with 9 fours and a six; Rakshann’s inswinger in the second session later uprooted his off stump.

Just before lunch captain Uday Saharan fell while attempting to up the tempo, Rahul Singh taking the catch at mid-off for 16 (29b). Shortly after Prabhsimran’s exit, Salil’s keenness to steal a risky single resulted in Jashanpreet Singh Sidhu being caught short of his crease; Sidhu had made 45 (run out).

Salil and Ramandeep then dug in, adding 93 runs for the sixth wicket before C.V. Milind breached Ramandeep’s defence to end the partnership; Ramandeep finished on 52 (79b). Mohammed Siraj was noted on the roller watching after a net session as Milind provided the breakthrough.

The full first-innings figures: Punjab — Vihaan Malhotra c Ruthik b Rakshann 12 (20b), Harnoor Singh c Pragnay b Tanay 17 (49b), Prabhsimran Singh b Rakshann 81 (126b), Uday Saharan c Rahul Singh b Aniketh 16 (29b), Jashanpreet Singh Sidhu (run out) 45, Salil Arora (batting) 57, Ramandeep Singh b Milind 52 (79b), Emanjot Singh (batting) 5; Extras (b-2, nb-1, w-): 4; Total (for six wkts. in 90 overs): 289. Fall of wickets: 1-14, 2-62, 3-105, 4-139, 5-182, 6-275. Hyderabad bowling: Milind 10-1-41-1, Rakshann 15-1-53-2, Ruthik 6-1-18-0, Tanany 30-0-85-1, Aniketh 25-1-84-1, Varun 4-0-6-0.

Punjab’s 289 for six was compiled across 90 overs by the close of play on the opening day.