Ahead of Hyderabad’s Ranji Trophy clash with Punjab, all the talk was of turn. The Gymkhana was expected to spin its tale. Instead, the pitch kept its secrets from the tweakers, with pacers making the most of the windy conditions to take the majority of the wickets on Monday.

Fortune favoured the batters who stayed and fought. Prabhsimran Singh (81, 126b, 9x4, 1x6) set the platform, and half-centuries from Salil Arora and Ramandeep Singh carried the visitor to 289 for six at the close of the opening day.

A lost toss momentarily stung less when Hyderabad drew first blood early. Rakshann Readdi struck, Ruthik Yadav pouching a good catch at deep fine leg to send Vihaan Malhotra back. Harnoor Brar’s dismissal, soon after the drinks break, came against the run of play. Looking to attack the gap in the field with a sweep, he managed only a top edge, and wicketkeeper Pragnay Reddy gathered it safely.

Prabhsimran, meanwhile, rode his luck. Abhirath Reddy put him down at short cover, and he made the reprieve count, bringing up his half-century in 82 balls with a well-timed boundary over midwicket.

Just before lunch, skipper Uday Saharan fell while trying to up the tempo, Rahul Singh making no mistake at mid-off.’

Hyderabad started the second session with a flourish. A beauty of an inswinger from Rakshann sent Prabhsimran’s off stump cartwheeling. Soon after, Punjab lost another when Salil’s keenness to steal a risky single ended with Jashanpreet Singh Sidhu caught short of his crease.

Ramandeep and Salil then dug in, intent on grinding out the rest of the day, until C.V. Milind broke through. He breached Ramandeep’s defence to end a 93-run stand, with Mohammed Siraj, perched on the roller, watching along after a net session.

Hyderabad tried to wring one more wicket with the new ball but the evening gave them only the sound of the stumps being called.

The scores - Punjab 1st innings: Vihaan Malhotra c Ruthik b Rakshann 12 (20b), Harnoor Singh c Pragnay b Tanay 17 (49b), Prabhsimran Singh b Rakshann 81 (126b), Uday Saharan c Rahul Singh b Aniketh 16 (29b), Jashanpreet Singh Sidhu (run out) 45, Salil Arora (batting) 57, Ramandeep Singh b Milind 52 (79b), Emanjot Singh (batting) 5; Extras (b-2, nb-1, w-): 4; Total (for six wkts. in 90 overs): 289.

Fall of wickets: 1-14, 2-62, 3-105, 4-139, 5-182, 6-275.

Hyderabad bowling: Milind 10-1-41-1, Rakshann 15-1-53-2, Ruthik 6-1-18-0, Tanany 30-0-85-1, Aniketh 25-1-84-1, Varun 4-0-6-0.

Toss: Punjab.