Resuming at 256 for four, Himachal went on to score a huge 473 before folding as Manvinder Bisla (71), Mukesh Sharma (50) and Kuldeep Diwan (61) struck half-centuries. The hosts then reduced Punjab to 54 for two in their first innings by removing openers -- Ravi Inder Singh (13) and Vishwas Bhalla (15).
Uday Kaul (14) and Rahul Sharma (4) were at the crease for the visitors at stumps on day two at HPCA stadium. They are still trailing by 419 runs and would aim to avoid follow-on.
Himachal continued the good batting show as both the overnight unbeaten batsmen -- Bisla and Sharma -- completed their fifties and added 100 runs for the fifth wicket. Bisla was the highest scorer for his side with his 71-run knock, coming off in 111 balls with nine shots to the fence.
Sarabjit Ladda broke the partnership by trapping Bisla and soon Jaskaran Singh removed Mukesh Sharma but there was no end to the woes of Punjab. Batting at number seven, Kuldeep Diwan struck an impressive 61 and with Rishi Diwan (41) added 89 runs for the seventh wicket.
Even the lower order batsmen -- Vikramjit Nalim (19) and Ashok Thakur (21) -- had a ball spending a good time at the crease. Jaskaran Singh was the most successful bowler with three wickets for Punjab.