All-round Mayank Markande gives Punjab the lead

Mayank Markande shines with bat and ball

After frustrating Kerala with his batting (37 not out), Mayank Markande destroyed the hosts with his primary skill, bowling, (6/59) to wrest the first innings lead for Punjab on the third day of the Ranji Trophy match at the KCA-St. Xavier’s College ground here on Sunday.

However, Kerala hit back with late wickets to reduce the visitors to 23 for three in the second innings to set up an interesting finish on the final day on Monday.  

Markande bowled with guile and control on a track of variable bounce and preyed on the indecision on the batters’ mind to take his wickets. Medium-pacer Gurnoor Brar (3/18) was hostile and lent good support to Markande.  

Opener Rohan Kunnummal’s watchful innings came to an end when he went back to cut to a ball that bounced a bit higher than he expected and was caught behind for 15. Captain Sachin Baby (12) played back to a ball that kept low and was trapped in front. Aditya  Sarwate (three) and Basil Thampi (zero) were foxed by deliveries that kept low and fizzed off the wicket.

In between, B. Aparajith (three) drove Markande tentatively and was snapped up by Nehal Wadhera at short cover.

Opener Vathsal Govind (28) looked assured during his stay in the middle and played the spinners with confidence until Emanjot Singh Chahal extracted turn and bounce and forced the batter to edge a catch to the slips.

Brar made an immediate impression after his late introduction and broke the promising stand of 32 between Akshay Chandran and Jalaj Saxena for the fifth wicket