Patiala: Punjab scored 351 in 96.3 overs at close of first days play against Bengal in the third round league match in the 3rd All India U-19 Invitation Tournament for Dhruv Pandove Trophy between Punjab and Bengal got underway at Dhruv Pandove Cricket Stadium, Patiala on Monday. 

Being put into bat, Punjab opened with Prabhjot Singh and Mandeep Inder Bawa but lost Prabhjot Singh for 16 and Mandeep Inder Bawa for 21. Anmolpreet Singh perished for 14, reducing Punjab to 73 for 3.

Thereafter, Navneet Singh and Nikhil Chaudhary put on 43 runs for the 4th wicket before Navneet Singh was caught by by Agnipan off Pritam Chakarvorthy. Arjun Kumar was the next to go when he was castled by Pritam Chakarvorthy before opening his account. Punjab at this stage were looking down the barrel with half the side back in the pavilion for 119 in 43.4 overs.

Thereafter, Nikhil Chaudhary in company of Harsrup Singh rattled up a six wicket partnership of 171 runs in 43 overs to take the team’s total to 290 for 6 when Harsrup Singh was caught by Agnipan off Ritwick Roy Chaudhary for 57 inclusive of 6 boundaries.
Nikhil Chaudhary went on to smash a century (157) off 190 balls studded with 13 sweetly timed boundaries and four huge sixes. He was the 7th man out with the team’s total reading 328. Punjab innings ended soon after at 351 for all in 96.3 overs.
For Bengal Pritam Chakarvorthy 4 for 104 and Anurag Tiwari 2 for 53 were the main wicket takers.

Brief Scores: Punjab first innings: 351 all out in 96.3 overs (Prabhjot Singh 16, Anmolpreet Singh 14, Mandeep Inder Bawa 21, Navneet Singh 30, Nikhil Chaudhary 157, Harsrup Singh 57, Pritam Chakarvorthy 4 for 104 and Anurag Tiwari 2 for 53).