Punjab took on a strong Hyderabad side at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium at Mohali in a crucial Ranji Trophy encounter. On winning the toss, Punjab captain Vikram Rathour put Hyderabad in to bat. A good spell of bowling from Gagandeep Singh (5/49) reduced the visitors to 117 all out.

Having dismissed Hyderabad so cheaply, it was important that Punjab put together a good batting performance and secure a first innings lead. When the captain was dismissed with just 20 on the board, a few shivers must have gone down the Punjab cricketers' spines. Luckily for Punjab, Ravneet Ricky chose this match to showcase his batting skills. In an innings that spanned 7 partners, Ricky held together the Punjab innings.

Striking the ball well, Ricky blunted an attack that included the wily spin duo of Venkatapathy Raju and Kanwaljit Singh. In an innings that was peppered with 15 boundaries, Ricky made 134. Easily the top score of the Punjab team. After Ricky, the next highest score came from Sandeep Sharma (68) at the end of the innings.

Ricky was finally dismissed by Azharuddin. Not someone you get out to every day. By this time, Punjab were 312/7 and had put the match well beyond Hyderabad. Although the visitors managed 244/3 in their second essay there was no way for them to force a result in the game. By virtue of their first innings lead, Punjab picked up 5 points.

Ricky's innings had made all the difference. Without his steady 134, there was no way Punjab would have gotten to safety.