Utter Pradesh in command against Saurashtra

UP in command against Saurashtra at stumps on Day 3

MEERUT: Uttar Pradesh dismissed Saurashtra for 281 to get the first innings lead of 81 runs and then scored 175/4 in their second essay as the lead swelled to 256 at stumps on third day of the Elite Group Ranji Trophy match on Saturday.

Starting the day at 209/4, Saurashtra batsmen couldn't show stomach for fight save skipper Jaydev Shah (112, 155 balls, 16x4, 1x6) who scored his fourth first-class century.

After Praveen Kumar (2/72) castled the seasoned Sitangshu Kotak (38) early in the day, Saurashtra's middle and lower order simply caved in. Bhuvaneswar Kumar (3/26) and leggie Piyush Chawla (2/22) were the most successful bowlers.

In their second innings, UP slumped to 81/4 with India's ODI specialist Ravindra Jadeja (3/40) removed Ekalavya Dwivedi (36), Parvinder Singh (2) and rival skipper Suresh Raina (3) cheaply. First innings centurion Tanmay Srivastava (23) was trapped leg before by Sandeep Maniar.

However former skipper Mohammad Kaif (53 batting, 8x4) and Arish Alam (55 batting, 8x4) added 94 runs for the unbroken fifth wicket partnership as the lead increased to 256.

On Sunday, UP will be aiming for a sporting declaration in order to at least try and get full points from the match. May be the UP batsmen will try and bat till lunch and then Raina's bowlers will get two sessions to get 10 Saurashtra wickets.

Brief Scores: UP 362 and 175/4 (Arish Alam 55 batting, Mohammad Kaif 53 batting, R Jadeja 3/40).

Saurashtra 281 (Jaydev Shah 112, Bhuvaneshwar Kumar 3/26, Praveen Kumar 2/72, Piyush Chawla 2/22).