A fighting knock of 94 from captain Reetinder Singh Sodhi notwithstanding, Punjab found itself struggling at the close of play at 269/9 against Jammu and Kashmir in their Ranji Trophy league tie against Jammu.

The home side, with their wider knowledge of the conditions, opted to bowl first; they struck immediately with the wicket of Manish Sharma with the score on six. Yuvraj Singh fell soon, but the only significant partnership of the innings then developed between Ravneet Ricket and Sodhi.

Ricky fell for 68, with the score on 165. Wickets then fell at regular intervals, with Ashwani Gupta (3-72) and Jagtar Singh (2-74) cleaning up the middle-order.

At stumps, Gagandeep Singh was unbeaten on 28 and Sanjay Dhull on one. Only one wicket remains to fall in Punjab's first innings, and they will have to bowl well to avoid losing face to a less-endowed opponent.

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