His seven-under 65 in the Solaris Chemtech Open second round included eight birdies and one bogey, and it took him to tied second at seven-under 137, along with Arjun Singh.

“My driving was really good today, but my putting was exceptional. I hadn’t been doing well with the putter over the last few tournaments, but it has started to come good,” Gaurav said.

M Dharma kept his lead at the Golden Greens golf club, his three-under 69 taking him to eight-under 136. The Bangalore golfer had a fairly interesting round that saw seven birdies and four bogeys.

Arjun Singh shot a two-under 70 to join Gaurav in second. Anirban Lahiri and Mukesh Kumar are a further stroke behind in tied fourth at six-under 138.