UP on backfoot, staring first innings deficit
LUCKNOW: For the first time this season, former champions and hosts Uttar Pradesh are on the backfoot in Ranji Trophy as they trail by 165 runs in the first innings against table toppers Rajasthan in Kanpur on Thursday. Needing 312 to take first innings lead, Uttar Pradesh were struggling at 146/7 in 43.5 overs at close of stumps on day two of the four-day Elite Group C encounter, at the Green Park Stadium.
After losing opener Mohd Saif (0) in the very first over, Uttar Pradesh never looked comfortable and kept losing wickets on regular intervals. By the end of the ninth over, two other batsmen opener Shivam Chaudhary (2) and skipper Akshdeep Nath (1) were sent back to pavilion. Raina and Rinku Singh stitched together 66-run for the fifth wicket. Former skipper Suresh Raina top scored with 33, which came off 57 balls with the help of six hits to the fence, before being bowled by TM Haq. Rinku Singh (31) and Priyam Garg (29) were the other main run getters.
At close of stumps, keeperbatsman Upendra Yadav (21, 56b, 2x4) and Shivam Mavi (9, 21b) were at the crease. Top seamers AV Choudhary and TM Haq left the UP batsmen struggling, bagging four and three wickets, respectively.
Earlier, resuming at the overnight score of 221/5, Rajasthan ended their first innings at 311/9 in 112.4 overs with Robin Bist being retired hurt even on day one. RD Chahar (32*) remained unbeaten.
Ankit Rajpoot finished with 5/61, whereas Yash Dayal had 2/67. Shivam Mavi, Saurabh Kumar and Shivam Chaudhary shared three wickets between them.
UNDER-23 TIE
Former champions Uttar Pradesh will be aiming for a high against mighty Mumbai in their four-day Elite Group Under-23 Col CK Nayudu Trophy, beginning Friday, at the Kamla Club Ground in Kanpur. With just one win Uttar Pradesh are at the fifth position in the table, whereas Mumbai with all three wins in as many as matches are leading with 19 points.