da bet sport： Mohali 30 October : Fine Centuries by Vikram Rathore (103) andReetinder Sodhi (102*) enabled Punjab to beat Services by 109 runs inthe second league encounter of their North Zone Ranji Trophy one-daymatch played at Punjab Cricket Association
Rajesh Arora31-Oct-1999Mohali 30 October : Fine Centuries by Vikram Rathore (103) andReetinder Sodhi (102*) enabled Punjab to beat Services by 109 runs inthe second league encounter of their North Zone Ranji Trophy one-daymatch played at Punjab Cricket Association stadium here today.Vikram Rathore won the toos and opted to bat first on a flat track.Sandeep Sharma (20) with his skipper opened the innings. He was caughtat short covers off M.V.Rao at team score of 33. Test discarded NavjotSidhu also departed at same total as he was traped in front of wicketby Rao of very next delivery. Reetinder Sodhi came in at hat-trick anddenied for M.V.Rao. Sodhi and Rathore make the marry of Servicesbowlers as they score at will. Rathore while playing 23rd innings ofhis 24th Ranji one day match completed his second century. His centurycame of 135 balls with the help 10 boundaries and two mighty sixes. Hewas caught at mid wicket by Amit Nadkarni off the bowling of Ghagwhile trying to acclerate the run rate in last ten overs.Sodhi also hit a splendid ton for the first time in Ranji one dayerswhile playing 11th innings of his 13th match. His unbeaten knockconsisted of four hits to fence in 114 balls. He established hisinnings with single and doubles. Rathore and Sodhi were very quick inwickets as both converted two’s into three frequently. This pair added182 runs for the third wickets in 217 balls. Dinesh Mongia alsocontributed quick 20 not out runs in 23 balls. Punjab scored 278 forthe loss of four wickets in 50 overs. M.v.Rao and Sudhakar Ghagcaptured two wickets each by giving away 49 and 47 runs respectively.Chasing a big total Services started off well as opener Narender Singh(38) and K.K.Dixit (37) added 68 runs for the opening wicket. Left armspinner Navdeep Singh who replaced Vineet Sharma give the breakthrough in his second over as he got Dixit caught at point bySodhi.Navdeep Singh and Lakhbir Singh put breaks on Services scoringas they both bowled a tight line and length. Both captured two wicketsat the cost of 18 and 22 runs respectively. Services batsmen werenever looking in chase as their wickets fell at regular intervals andtheir scoring rate was reducing over by over.At the end of 50 overs Services could managed only 169 runs for theloss of seven wickets and fell short by 109 runs. With this Punjab ishaving four points from their two games.