Mumbai batsmen keep UP bowlers at distance
LUCKNOW : Mumbai opener Bhupen Lalwani smashed an unbeaten century to deny hosts and former champions Uttar Pradesh to dictate terms against them on the penultimate day of their four-day Under-23 Col Ck Nayudu Trophy match in Kanpur on Sunday.
Resuming at the overnight score of 15/1 after Uttar Pradesh piled up 621 in the first innings, Mumbai batsmen kept UP bowlers at distance with some fascinating batting at the Kamla Club Ground.
Bhupen struck an unbeaten 156 in 276 balls with the help of 21 hits to the fence as mighty Mumbai finished the day at 295/4 in 95 overs. He along with Hardik Jitendra Tomar (33, 55b, 7x4) added 73-run for the second wicket.
Bhupen also had 80 runs for the third wicket with Ashay Sar- desai (37, 85b, 6x4) and then 60 runs for the fourth wicket with Yashasvi Bhupendra Jaiswal (27, 57b, 5x4). Siddarth Akre (32, 95b, 4x4) was giving company to Bhupen at the close of stumps on Sunday.
A desperate Uttar Pradesh’s captain Shubham Chaubey used as many as seven bowlers, including himself to distract Bhupen’s attention, but to no avail as the seasoned opener continued to defy them with perfect hitting all-around the ground.
Mumbai still need 327 runs to take the first innings lead, and at this stage it looks almost uncertain to have an outright win for either side in the game.
RESUMING AT THE OVERNIGHT SCORE OF 15/1 AFTER UTTAR PRADESH PILED UP 621 IN THE FIRST INNINGS, MUMBAI BATSMEN KEPT UP BOWLERS AT DISTANCE WITH SOME FASCINATING BATTING AT THE KAMLA CLUB GROUND
COOCH BEHAR TROPHY
Uttar Pradesh, which had an innings and 153-run win against Chhattisgarh in their opening encounter this season, would be hoping for yet another similar win over hosts Mumbai when they begin their three-day Under-19 Cooch Behar Trophy match at the Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy ground on Monday at Mumbai.
Uttar Pradesh with seven points in one match are at the fifth place in the Elite Group points table, Mumbai with nine points in two matches are at the third position.