Akshdeep, Saif hit tons, help UP seize control
LUCKNOW: People hardly come to see the future lot of the Indian cricket in action in domestic matches, and that’s what BCCI’s premier event Ranji Trophy has been facing for the last many years.
But it doesn’t make a different to the cricketers, who are eager to make a mark for themselves by batting and bowling well. In his debut match as skipper Akshdeep Nath too didn’t care much about the fans and stroked an unbeaten century on Friday.
Being the face of a drastic change in UP cricket, where things take too much time to happen, Akshdeep stood firm to lead the side by example, helping hosts and former champions Uttar Pradesh seize control over proceedings against visitors Goa in Kanpur.
The green top wicket at the Green Park Stadium hardly created any problem for the hosts batsmen, who continued to dominate the second day of their four-day Elite Group C encounter, stretching the first innings lead to 321 runs with seven wickets still in hand.
After debutant Madhav Kaushik’s onslaught, overnight batsman Mohd Saif and skipper Akshdeep made mockery of Goa bowling, enjoying big partnerships to guide Uttar Pradesh finish the day at 473/3 in 139 overs while chasing Goa’s 152 in the first innings.
First it was Saif and Kaushik, who stitched together 143-run for the second wicket, and then Saif and Akshdeep added 123-run for the third wicket and finally it was Akshdeep and other debutant Priyam Garg, who scored unbeaten 181-run for the fourth wicket. Kaushik missed his maiden ton on debut by just eight runs as he edge a regulation catch for Keenan off Lakshay A Garg after hitting 10 hits to the fence.
For Saif, it was his second first class century in 11th match, and he too gave a simple catch to stumper Keenan off Felix Alemao after scoring 250-ball 126, which contained 14 hits to the fence. Akshdeep though looked a bit shaky before lunch, transformed himself after that.
While playing some shots with soft hands in the points and cover regions, Lucknow’s Akshdeep kept striking Goa bowlers with consummate ease, hitting his third first class century.
He consumed 254 balls to hit 13 fours in his unbeaten 155. But it was young Priyam Garg, who justified his presence in the team in place of Suresh Raina, with a sparkling knock. His unbeaten 82, which came off 114 balls with the help nine hits to the fence was a treat to watch.