Vihaan Malhotra’s four-for gives Punjab the edge over Hyderabad in Ranji Trophy at Gymkhana Ground

Vihaan Malhotra’s four-wicket spell helped Punjab claim a 51-run first-innings advantage over Hyderabad at the Gymkhana Ground in Hyderabad on Wednesday during their Ranji Trophy match. Hyderabad were dismissed for 380 and Punjab resumed their second innings 57 without loss.

The contest took a setback for Punjab early on day three when Umesh Yadav appeared to pick up a groin injury in the seventh over. Hyderabad had earlier rebuilt after early jolts, with Rahul Radesh contributing 86 off 195 balls (9 fours) and K. Himateja reaching a half-century in 108 balls. About 15 minutes before lunch Harjas Singh trapped Varun Goud lbw.

The match turned in the second session after captain Uday Saharan introduced 19-year-old Vihaan Malhotra into the attack; Vihaan struck with his second delivery to trap Himateja lbw for 81 (168 balls, 5 fours, 3 sixes). Vihaan later removed C.V. Milind, Emanjot Singh accounted for Ruthik Yadav, and Vihaan also had Tanay Thyagarajann caught, prompting a loud reaction from the Punjab dugout.

Pragnay Reddy resisted a collapse with a 65-run innings that included a six over extra cover to bring up his fifty. Aniketh Reddy was dismissed after a sharp catch by Uday at first slip, and Pragnay was eventually holed out to substitute Sanveer Singh at long-on as Hyderabad’s tail folded.

Punjab — 1st innings: 431. Hyderabad — 1st innings: Tanmay Agarwal c Jashanpreet b Harpreet 2, Abhirath Reddy c Salil b Umesh 97, Rahul Radesh c Salil b Harjas 86, K. Himateja lbw b Vihaan 81, Varun Goud lbw b Harjas 25, Pragnay Reddy c Sanvir b b Emanjot 65, C.V. Milind b Vihaan 2, Ruthik Yadav b Emanjot 1, Tanay Thyagarajann lbw b Vihaan 2, Aniketh Reddy c Uday b Vihaan 1, Rakshann Readdi (batting) 0; Extras (b-10, lb-7, nb-1): 18; Total (in 119.5 overs): 380. Fall of wickets: 1-15, 2-169, 3-234, 4-279, 5-343, 6-347, 7-348, 8-383, 9-365.

Punjab bowling returns were Umesh 15.4-4-32-1, Harpreet 36-2-139-1, Emanjot 34.5-7-86-2, Harjas 25.2-3-85-2, Uday 2-0-6-0 and Vihaan 6-0-15-4. Punjab’s second innings stood at 57 without loss in 24 overs, Vihaan Malhotra 26 and Harnoor Singh 27; Extras (b-4): 4. Hyderabad bowling in that innings: Milind 3-1-9-0, Ruthik 6-0-14-0, Tanay 9-0-21-0, Rakshann 4-1-7-0, Aniketh 2-0-2-0.

By stumps Vihaan Malhotra and Harnoor Singh had taken Punjab to 57 for no loss in 24 overs, doubling the visitors’ lead to 108 runs.