Mumbai-Punjab Ranji match evenly poised

Sahil Kukreja's 90 and Abhishek Nayar's fluent 53 helped Mumbai reach 244 for the loss of seven wickets against Punjab on the second day of the Ranji Trophy Super League Group A match here today.

Earlier, starting at the overnight score of 242 for nine, Punjab's last wicket could add just 17 runs as they were bowled out for 259. Mumbai too got off to a disastrous start to their innings, losing the first three wickets cheaply with the scoreboard reading 65.

However, Kukreja and Nayar stitched together a valuable 115 runs for the fourth wicket to stabilise the Mumbai innings. Kukreja struck 14 hits to the fence en route his 90 before being held up by wicketkeeper Uday Kaul of the bowling of Love Ablish.

Nayar soon followed suit, caught behind by Kaul off Manpreet Gony. Nayar's 138 minute stay at the crease was studded with eight fours. Ablish was the chief destroyer of Mumbai innings, claiming four wickets, while Gony took two wickets and Harmeet Singh scalped one victim.

Mumbai pacer Ajit Agarkar, who claimed four wickets, failed to excel with the bat as he could manage just 11. At draw of stumps, Romesh Powar was not out on 10 and giving him company was O Khanvilkar on 16.