Ranji Trophy 2024: Punjab vs Kerala – A Battle on a Testing Track
The Ranji Trophy 2023-24 season has delivered another gripping encounter, with Punjab gaining a slight upper hand over Kerala on a seamer-friendly pitch at Mohali’s IS Bindra Stadium. After two days of play, Punjab trailed by just 47 runs with four wickets remaining, setting the stage for a tense Day 3.
Mohali Pitch Tests Batsmen’s Mettle
The green-tinged Mohali track proved a nightmare for batters, offering lateral movement and uneven bounce. Kerala, electing to bat first, collapsed to 85/5 before Sachin Baby (47) and the lower order lifted them to 227. Punjab’s Siddarth Kaul (4/52) and Arshdeep Singh (2/49) exploited the conditions expertly, while left-arm spinner Vinay Choudhary provided crucial breakthroughs.
Punjab’s Fightback Led by Mandeep Singh
In reply, Punjab’s top order showed resilience:
– Prabhsimran Singh (35) and Naman Dhir (28) survived the new ball.
– Captain Mandeep Singh (62) anchored the innings with a gritty half-century.
– Kerala’s spinners, led by Jalaj Saxena, kept the game alive with timely wickets.
At 180/6, Punjab’s Anmol Malhotra (22*) will aim to erase the deficit on Day 3.
Key Takeaways from Day 2
- Pitch Dominates: Batters struggled as seamers and spinners thrived.
- Kaul’s Masterclass: The veteran’s 4-wicket haul reaffirmed his red-ball prowess.
- Mandeep’s Leadership: His 62 under pressure kept Punjab in contention.
- Kerala’s Spin Duo: Saxena and Sijomon Joseph prevented Punjab from taking full control.
Day 3 Preview: Who Will Seize Control?
- Punjab’s tail must narrow the deficit to unleash their seamers on a deteriorating pitch.
- Kerala needs quick wickets to set up a defendable target.
With the pitch unlikely to ease, adaptability will decide the winner.
