UP on verge of losing Merchant Trophy semis

LUCKNOW:It seems uncertain for last year’s runners-up Uttar Pradesh making it to the final of the Under-16 Vijay Merchant Trophy as they still need 156 runs to take first innings lead against Haryana with just two wickets in hand on Monday.

Needing 481 to take the first innings lead, Uttar Pradesh were 325/8 in 117.2 overs at the end of the penultimate day’s play on Monday, at the Gokulbhai Somabhai Patel Stadium in Nadiad in Gujarat.

Resuming at the overnight score of 57/0, Uttar Pradesh looked certain for a good going with openers Satnam Singh and Deepanshu Chaudhary stitching together 105 runs for the first wicket.

But as soon as the two departed, things began changing dramatically even though there was a 96-run fourth wicket stand between Shivam Kumar and Siddarth Yadav.

Satnam made 178-ball 78 with the help of 14 fours, whereas Deepanshu’s 127-ball 40 contained nine boundaries. Shivam Kumar too struck nine boundaries to score 153-ball 50 before being caught by Parth Vats off Piyush Dahiya, whereas Siddarth scored 72 in 103 balls with the help of 12 fours and two sixes.

Down in order, Aaquib Khan though struck a breezy 36 in 43 balls with the help of seven fours and a six, to no avail as Haryana bowlers kept removing Uttar Pradesh batsmen on regular intervals.

For Haryana, slow bowler Nishant Sindhu remained the wrecker-in-chief, bagging 4/59, whereas Piyush Dahiya had 2/51. Vivek Kumar and Parth Vatas too chipped in with a wicket each.

Now, Uttar Pradesh would be hoping for a miracle to happen with Siddarth Jain batting at four when the final day proceedings begin on Tuesday.

NEEDING 481 TO TAKE THE FIRST INNINGS LEAD, UTTAR PRADESH WERE 325/8 IN 117.2 OVERS AT THE END OF THE PENULTIMATE DAY’S PLAY ON MONDAY, AT THE GOKULBHAI SOMABHAI PATEL STADIUM IN NADIAD IN GUJARA

MOHIT EXCELS

Speedster Mohit Jangra took 6/40, whereas Kunal Yadav finished with 3/42 as hosts Uttar Pradesh managed to skittle out Vidarbha for 177 on the opening day of their four-day Elite Group Under-19 Cooch Behar Trophy match on Monday.

At the Choudhary Charan Singh Sports Stadium in Muzzafarnagar, Jangra ripped through Vidarbha’s batting line-up with his pace and swing on a cool day even after some fine start given to the visitors by their openers Mandar Mahale (24) and Sanket Khdekar (38).

A Mokhade (43), Yash Kadam (20) and Harsh Dubey (20*) remained the other batsmen, who could touch the double figure mark.

In reply, Uttar Pradesh were sitting pretty at the 101/2 in 36 overs and now need only 77 runs to take the first innings lead. Rishav Rai (37) and captain Aryan Sharma (36) added 73-run for the opening wicket. At close of stumps, Ansh Yadav (13) and Shivam Sharma 94) were at the crease.