Ludhiana: An unbeaten 214 by Pankaj Dharmani and skipper Vikram Rathore's 114 helped Punjab to score 452 for six at close of play on the second day to get a lead of 281 runs with four first innings wickets still in hand in their four day North Zone Ranji Trophy league match against Jammu & Kashmir at the Punjab Agriculture University stadium here on Sunday.

In reply to J & K's first innings total of 171, Punjab resumed their first innings from the overnight score of 97 for two and added 355 runs losing four wickets, those of Vikram Rathore (114), Dinesh Mongia (31), Sanjay Kumar (36) and Sandeep Sharma (8). Two of the wickets were claimed by Pardeep Bali who has so far taken four for 119. A wicket each went to Dhurv Mahajan and Kanvaljit Singh.

Dharmani and Harminder Jugnu (30) were at the crease when stumps were drawn. Dharmani his 26 boundaries. He batted 451 minutes and faced 325 balls. Rathore got his 114 with the help of 11 boundaries and two sixes. He batted 248 minutes during which he faced 170 deliveries. Rathore scored his 16th century playing the 104th innings of his 67th Ranji match while Dharmani scored his second successive double century. He made 202 not out in the last league match against Services at Mohali.

Dharmani has scored four double centuries in the National championship. This was his 47th innings in his 36th match. In all he has scored seven centuries. Rathore added 229 runs for the third wicket with Dharmani before he was caught by Shashi Kumar off Dhruv Mahajan at 253.