Ranji Trophy: 17 wickets fall on Day 1, Punjab-Andhra match evenly poised

Patiala: As many as 17 wickets fell on the opening day as Punjab finished at 128 for seven after bowling out Andhra for a paltry 80 in a Ranji Trophy Group B match, here.\

Andhra's decision to bat first after winning the toss completely backfired as Punjab picked up wickets at regular intervals to bundle out the visitors under the 100-run mark in 45 overs.

Andhra's batting misery can be ascertained from the fact that only three of their batsmen could reach double digit scores with opener D B Prasanth Kumar (33) being the highest.

Off-spinner Gurkeerat Singh Mann (4/14) was the highest wicket taker for Punjab while Siddharth Kaul (2/11), Rajwinder Singh (2/12) and Sarabjit Ladda (2/25) sharing six wickets between them.

In reply, Punjab failed to capitalise on the initiative as the hosts lost their top seven batsmen with just 128 runs on the board in 42 overs, a lead of 48 runs. Besides opener Jiwanjot Singh's (59) half-century, Udal Kaul (27) was the other significant contributor for Punjab. Prasanth (3/36) picked up three wickets for Andhra. 

With three full day's play remaining in the match and the pitch showing its colour from the first day, first innings lead will hardly matter as the match is headed for an outright result. 

Brief Scores:

Andhra 1st innings: 80 all out in 45 overs (D B Prasanth 33; Gurkeerat Singh Mann 4/14).

Punjab 1st innings: 128 for seven in 42 overs (Jiwanjot Singh 59; Prasanth 3/36).