Salil and Sanvir hit unbeaten tons to rescue Punjab after Saiteja’s triple strike in an over

Salil Arora and Sanvir Singh produced a brilliant counter-attack after pacer Kavuri Saiteja had struck thrice in an over as Punjab reached 276 for five at stumps on the first day of their four-day Elite Group B Ranji Trophy match at the PCA International Cricket Stadium, Ground A, in New Chandigarh on Monday.

Andhra skipper Ricky Bhui won the toss and promptly asked Punjab to bat first as they wanted to make use of the early conditions and try to make inroads.

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However, openers Vihaan Malhotra and Prabhsimran Singh took on the Andhra attack and added 35 before KS Narasimha Raju struck by trapping Prabhsimran leg before for 24 off 21 balls with five fours.

Saiteja then took over and struck three lethal blows in the 16th over of the innings. Saiteja had Jashanpreet Singh (1) caught by T Vijay off the third ball. A ball later, Saiteja packed off Punjab skipper Uday Saharan by having him caught by Shaik Rasheed for a duck.

Saiteja struck again off the last ball by having Ramandeep Singh (0) caught by Sreeram Rahul and Punjab were in deep waters at 51 for four.

Twenty runs later, Raju trapped Vihaan leg before after the Punjab opener had made 30 off 65 balls with five fours. Punjab were 71 for five and the Andhra bowlers had their tails up.

Salil and Sanvir take charge of the proceedings

But Salil, who has been in the pink of form this season, was back in his elements again. The wicketkeeper bat and Sanvir defied the Andhra attack and took Punjab to safety.

The duo then put the Andhra attack to the sword as they compiled a double century partnership for the unbroken sixth wicket.  They have already added 205 off 349 balls with Sanvir contributing 100 off 183 balls and Salil making 98 off 166 balls.

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At stumps, Salil was batting on 111 off 186 balls with 11 fours and three sixes and Sanvir was on 100 off 183 balls with 10 fours.

This is Salil’s fourth consecutive century from four matches in the championship. Salil had begun the season with 110 against Assam in New Chandigarh and followed it up 107 in the first innings against Chhattisgarh at the same venue. Salil then struck 151 in the first innings against Hyderabad at the Gymkhana Ground in Secunderabad.

Brief scores: Punjab 276 for five in 80 overs (Vihaan Malhotra 30, Prabhsimran Singh 24, Salil Arora 111 batting, Sanvir Singh 100 batting; K Saiteja 3/65, KS Narasimha Raju 2/41) vs Andhra.