Updated: October 15, 2016 7:19 pm
Sarfaraz Khan gave Umang Sharma company in the middle with the duo adding 139 runs for the fourth wicket. (Source: Express file photo)
Bengal on Saturday earned vital first innings lead of 56 runs against Uttar Pradesh despite a commendable effort from centurion Umang Sharma and Sarfaraz Khan. In reply to Bengal’s first innings lead of 466, Uttar Pradesh were all out for 410 in 112.4 overs. Umang (136) and the burly Sarfaraz (85) added 139 for the fourth wicket but that wasn’t enough to ensure at least three points for UP. At stumps, Bengal were 30 for no loss with a consolidated lead of 86 runs with a day’s play left.
Starting the day at 126 for 3, the duo took the score to 188 before the RCB batsman was caught by Abhimanyu Easwaran off Sayan Sekhar Mondal’s bowling. He faced 124 balls. Skipper Ekalavya Dwivedi (17) didn’t stay long as he was cleaned up by Sayan Ghosh.
Once Umang became the seventh batsmen to be dismissed as he failed to read a flighted delivery from Pragyan Ojha (2/101) offering a simple return catch. UP were 321/7 then. Kuldeep Yadav (63, 100 balls) also tried his best with Piyush Chawla (34) and Imtiaz Ahmed (26 batting) also making contributions but off-spinner Aamir Gani (3/72) both Chawla and Yadav.
Brief Scores: Bengal 1st Innings: 466 and 30/0 UP 1st Innings: 410 in 112.4 overs (Umang Sharma 136, Kuldeep Yadav 63, Sarfaraz Khan 85, Amir Gani 3/72, Pragyan Ojha 2/101).
Kedar Devdhar keeps Baroda in fray vs Mumbai
Opener Kedar Devdhar hit a stroke-filled 145 as Baroda took a sizeable lead of 303 runs, despite narrowly falling short of Mumbai’s first innings total, on the third day of their Ranji Trophy Group A match.
Devdhar’s knock came of 235 balls that included 16 fours as Baroda finished the day at 321 for five.
With a day’s play left, Baroda will try for an outright win as Mumbai have already ensured three points by virtue of 18-run first innings lead.
With Aditya Waghmode (66), Baroda added 177 for opening stand before Deepak Hooda (66 batting, 75 balls) attacked the Mumbai bowlers with six boundaries. Devdhar and Hooda added 57 runs in 12.4 overs to up the ante. Pathan brothers Irfan (12) and Yusuf Pathan (2) were dismissed cheaply.
The day belonged to Devdhar, who was brilliant and was especially severe on Shardul Thakur (0/57) and Balwinder Singh Sandhu Jr (1/71), treating any width offered with disdain. Just when Devdhar was looking good, he edged one off Sandhu Jr’s bowling.
Brief Scores: Baroda: 305 & 321/5 (Kedar Devdhar 145, Deepak Hooda 66, Aditya Waghmode 66). Mumbai 1st Innings: 323.
