Ranji Trophy: Shubman given caught behind, Punjab cry foul again

MOHALI: Shubman Gill became the talking point of the day again in the Ranji Trophy match between Punjab and Delhi at the IS Bindra PCA stadium on Sunday.
Two days after he was called back after being given caught behind off Subodh Bhatti following an argument with the umpire in the first innings, the Punjab opener was given out again off the same bowler in the same manner by the same umpire Mohamed Rafi.
This time, however, Shubman walked off with a wry smile and shaking his head. The Punjab camp was livid with the decision, claiming their star batsman had not edged the ball. Hosts Punjab are in deep trouble after having conceded a first-innings lead of 26 runs as Delhi folded for 339 after Delhi vice-captain Nitish Rana scored 92. At stumps, Punjab were reduced to 44/4 with slender lead of 18.
A dejected Shubman Gill smiles after being given caught behind by the umpire
A Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) official claimed that Shubman was at the receiving end of a poor decision again. "Such decisions in elite group are just not acceptable. Level of umpiring in this match has been very poor. For someone like Shubman, who is pushing for his place in the India team, these matches matter a lot," the official told TOI after day's play.
However, the Delhi camp was not on the same page as their coach Bhaskar Pillai said, "It was a very faint edge. Yes, he did nick it."
When Punjab openers came out to bat, Delhi's seamers made the most of the overcast conditions. The new-ball bowlers Subodh Bhati and Simarjeet Singh knocked over the top order. Shubman Gill (4), Sanvir Singh (11), Gurkeerat Mann (15) Anmolpreet Singh (0) were back in the hut.
However, Punjab's in-form captain Mandeep Singh's still at the crease. There is also a prediction of heavy rain on Monday.
Earlier, Punjab bowlers started the day by leaking too many boundaries in the first hour of the game but they pulled back to restrict Delhi's lead. Rana, who was looking in a sublime touch, edged one to wicketkeeper Anmol Malhotra off Baltej Singh's bowling. Just The left-hander batsman struck 13 boundaries in his innings.
Punjab left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh showed why Punjab coach and captain Mandeep Singh rate him highly. After a dull outing with the first new ball, Arshdeep corrected his line and length in the second. He cleaned up Jonty Sidhu (42) with a peach of a delivery.
The youngster also ended the resistance of Lalit Yadav (39) and Kunwar Bidhuri (17). Bidhuri was caught at first slip by Sharad Lumba. For Yadav's dismissal, the credit must go to wicketkeeper Anmol Malhotra, who took a stunner one-handed catch. Thereafter, leg spinner Mayank Markande cleaned up the tail by removing Subodh Bhati (6) and Vikas Mishra (3). For Punjab, Arshdeep Singh (3/73), Mayank Markande (3/77) and Baltej Singh (2/74) were the pick of the bowlers.
Scoreboard
Punjab 1st innings: 313 all out
Delhi 1st innings: Anuj Rawat c Anmol Malhotra b Baltej Singh 0, Kunal Chandela c Anmol Malhotra b Sanvir Singh 31, Dhruv Shorey c Mayank Markande b Akul Pandove 96, Nitish Rana c Anmol Malhotra b Baltej Singh 92, Simarjeet Singh lbw Mayank Markande 1, Jonty Sidhu b Arshdeep Singh 41, Lalit Yadav ct Anmol Malhotra b Arshdeep Singh 39, Kunwar Bidhuri c Sharad Lumba b Arshdeep Singh 17, Subodh Bhati lbw Mayank Markande 6, Vikas Mishra b Mayank Markande 3, Tejas Baroka not out 6
Extras: 7 (w 1, b 3, lb 3)
Total: 339 all out in 115.5 overs
Bowler: Baltej Singh 25-3-74-2, Arshdeep Singh 26-5-73-3, Sanvir Singh 18-8-40-1, Mayank Markande 26.5-4-77-3, Akul Pandove 11-1-37-1, Gurkeerat Mann 9-1-32-0
FOW: 1-2 (Anuj Rawat, 0.2 ov),2-64 (Kunal Chandela, 23.3 ov), 3-186 (Dhruv Shorey, 62.3 ov), 4-195 (Simarjeet Singh, 67.3 ov), 5-257 (Nitish Rana, 86.2 ov), 6-274 (Jonty Sidhu, 91.5 ov), 7-305 (Kunwar Bidhuri, 102.4 ov), 8-330 (Lalit Yadav, 110.2 ov), 9-330 (Subodh Bhati, 111.1 ov), 10-339 (Vikas Mishra , 115.5 ov)
Punjab 2nd Innings: Shubman Gill c Anuj Rawat b Subodh Bhati 4, Sanvir Singh c Anuj Rawat b Simarjeet Singh 11, Gurkeerat Mann c Subodh Bhati b Simarjeet Singh 15, Mandeep Singh not out 8, Anmolpreet Singh b Kunwar Bidhuri 0, Sharad Lumba not out 6
Extras: 0
Total: 44 for 4 in 13 overs
Bowling: Subodh Bhati 5-0-18-1, Simarjeet Singh 6-0-21-2, Kunwar Bidhuri 1-0-2-1, Vikas Mishra 1-0-3-0
FOW: 1-10 (Shubman Gill, 2.4 ov), 2-20 (Sanvir Singh, 5.2 ov), 3-37 (Gurkeerat Mann, 9.6 ov), 4-37 (Anmolpreet Singh, 10.5 ov)