Uthappa puts Delhi under the pump, Mumbai ride Rahane 79

THUMBA, KERALA: Delhi’s ploy of using four-pronged spin attack backfired badly as Kerala comfortably reached 276 for 3 riding on a patient hundred from Robin Uthappa here on the first day of their Ranji Trophy encounter.

Uthappa, who has endured a slump in form during the past few seasons, scored 102 off 221 balls with seven fours and three sixes, adding 118 runs for the second wicket with opener Ponnam Rahul (97).

Rahul missed his ton by three runs but Uthappa completed his 22nd hundred before being dismissed in the final over of the day by comeback-man Pradeep Sangwan (1/31 in 9.1 overs). In the process, he also added 90 runs for the third wicket with skipper Sachin Baby (36 batting).

On a slow track, Kerala skipper Baby called correctly and his decision to bat was vindicated by the top-order, also aided by poor team selection from the Delhi team management.

RAHANE, SHAW SHINE

VADODARA: Test specialist Ajinkya Rahane and young opener Prithvi Shaw struck gritty fifties as Mumbai ended day one of their Ranji Trophy lung opener against Baroda at 362/8 here on Monday.

While Rahane’s patient 79 off 145 balls pulled Mumbai out of the rubble, bowlers Shardul Thakur (64) and Shams Mulani (56 not out) contributed with the bat slamming half centuries as they ensured Mumbai ended the first day with a decent score on the board. This was Shaw’s first firstclass game after serving a eightmonth ban for doping, and he made optimum use of the opportunity. Shaw, who is eyeing the third opener’s slot in Tests, made 66 off 62 balls. After opting to bat, openers Jay Bista (18) and Shaw conjured a 74-run stand for the first wicket. After Bista fell, allrounder Shubham Ranjane was promoted to number three, but he failed to convert his start.