Ranji Trophy: Bowlers put Pondicherry in command

CHENNAI: Cricket Association of Pondicherry (CAP) were in a commanding position against Manipur on Day 1 of their Ranji clash at Anantapur on Sunday. After having inserted Manipur in, Pondicherry’s medium-pacer duo — Pankaj Singh (4 for 32) and Raiphi Vincent Gomez (4 for 58) — wreaked havoc on Manipur batsmen.
Barring Manipur’s skipper Yashpal Singh (50, 5x4), no one showed the application needed to negotiate the Pondicherry attack.
Once Manipur’s first innings concluded at 132 in 39.2 overs, Pondicherry replied strongly to end the day on 150 for 2. Their opening pair comprising S Karthik (55, 5x4) and T Saiju (42, 6x4) added 100 runs in 31.5 overs. Once they departed, Rohit (22 batting, 2x4) and M Viknesh (26 batting, 3x4, 1x6) continued the good work with their unfinished third wicket stand of 47 runs.
Pondicherry began to take charge of the proceedings from the 8th over when Gomez trapped opener P Prafullomani (9) leg-before with the team’s total reading 21 for 1. Gomez, drafted in the side as the third outstation player in place of injured Abhishek Nayar, was rewarded for his consistent line and length.
“Both Pankaj and Gomez bowled in tandem and didn’t allow the Manipur batsmen to settle in. The two made full use of the early morning dew on the wicket. We had dismissed half of their side by lunch and that gave us the momentum. Gomez, playing his second game for us, looked threatening each time he was given the ball,” Rohit told TOI.
Brief scores: Manipur 1st innings 132 in 39.2 overs (Yashpal Singh 50, Pankaj Singh 4 for 32, Gomez 4 for 58). Pondicherry 1st innings 150 for 2 in 47 overs (S Karthik 55, T Saiju 42).