Siddarth’s ton puts UP in command
LUCKNOW:In innings cricket batsmen need to have patience as it allows them to stay long in the middle and score runs on ease. This was what young Siddarth Yadav did for Uttar Pradesh on Sunday, and helped the side dictate terms in Allahabad.
Despite team losing two wickets before lunch, left-hander Siddarth kept his cool and waited for the lose deliveries to hit. His unbeaten 139, which came off 199 balls so far with the help of 14 fours and a six, enabled hosts and former champions Uttar Pradesh take 37-run first innings lead.
On the second day of the threeday Central Zone Under-16 Vijay Merchant Trophy encounter against Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh lost both the overnight openers Aardhaya Yadav (21) and Satnam Singh (16) by the 27th over, and MP’s first innings total of 218 at this moment looked quite big.
But gutsy Shivam Kumar along with Siddarth Yadav kept the scoreboard rotating, hammering Madhya Pradesh bowlers all-around the ground at consummate ease. The two batsmen stitched together 192-run for the third wicket, helping the side post 255/4 in 95 overs at the end of the game on the penultimate day.
Right-hander Shivam Kumar too played with a lot of cautious and patience and scored 68 in 211 balls with the help of seven hits to the fence before being caught and bowled by Vineet Singh Baghel at the Madan Mohan Malviya Stadium.
Though UP lost one wicket just before the close of day’s play, both Siddarth and Mohd Amaan (1*) continued to bat. Shubhanker Shukla (0) couldn’t open his account, giving a simple catch to Shubham Kushwah off Vineet Singh Baghel after playing nine balls.
What UP now need is to continue batting and stretch their lead further as three points on the basis of the first innings lead would help them continue leading the points table in the Central Zone.
BIG MATCH
It’s going to be a big match for former champions Uttar Pradesh when they take on Rajasthan in a quarterfinal match of the Under-19 Vinoo Mankad Trophy one-day at the VCA Stadium Jamtha in Nagpur on Monday.
Uttar Pradesh must have learnt from their loss to Bengal in their last league match, and would be hoping to launch their knockout campaign in style. “It’s going to be fresh start for us and every match from now onwards are equally important,” team’s coach Mohd Aamir said on Sunday.
SUPER LEAGUE
For under-19 girls too, Monday will see them playing against Odisha in their second Super League match in the one-day event, at the Chukkapalli Pitchaiah Cricket Ground in Mulapadu. After winning all their matches in the league phase, UP eves mauled Assam by 48 runs in their first opening match on Saturday, and must be looking to continue their winning streak.