UP sitting pretty Vs TN

UP sitting pretty Vs TN

Ali Murtaza’s 7 for 80 helped Uttar Pradesh take a lead of 213 runs against Tamil Nadu on the third day of the Group B Ranji Trophy tie at IIT-Chemplast grounds on Monday. Tamil Nadu were bundled out for 179 in their first essay. In the second innings, UP batted poorly to be bowled out for 207. Chasing a mammoth 421 in a minimum of 91 overs for victory, TN were 5-0 at stumps.

After a good start in the second innings, UP lost their way with their top order getting out to non-percentage shots. Openers Mukul Dugar (65) and Tanmay Srivatsava (27) laid the platform, but got little support from the middle order.

Barring Umang Sharma, who made 41, rest of the batsmen did not apply themselves. Skipper Mohd Kaif fell cheaply to Aushik Shrinivas, while first-innings centurion Ali Murtaza fell to Sunil Sam. While trying to increase the scoring rate, Ali snicked to Dinesh Karthik, who pouched the catch.

Sam (3 for 27) bowled his heart out and was the most effective TN bowler. He had good bounce and carry and troubled the lower order batsmen of UP. Aushik (4-37) was accurate, while Malolan Rangarajan was unlucky as several catches were dropped of his bowling. TN fielding was not up to the mark and one saw several fielders going through the motions. UP coach Venkatesh Prasad was not happy the way UP went about their task in the second essay. “I was unhappy with the way we batted in the second innings. We should have scored a minimum of 275 runs,” said Prasad.

“Our batsmen went into a shell and they did not take calculated risks to score runs,’’ added Prasad.

Prasad said his team will play positively and go for a outright win. “We still have a chance to go for an outright win. Our bowlers need to bowl in the right areas to get purchase,’’ said Prasad.

Earlier in the morning, UP bowlers bowled tightly to wrap up the remaining four wickets of TN for the addition of just 30 runs. The last recognised batsman R Prasanna too fell to Murtaza’s guile. It was meek surrender by last year’s Ranji finalists.

HARSHAL SCALPS FIVE

Hubli: Seamer Harshal Patel wreaked havoc as Haryana enforced follow-on on hosts Karnataka in a Group B league game here.  In reply to Haryana’s 587 for nine decl, Karnataka were all out for 272 with Kunal Kapoor scoring his maiden first-class hundred as Harshal picked up five for 79. Having conceded a lead of 315, Karnataka batted safely in the second innings reaching 63-0 withIndia discard Robin Uthappa hiting 37 and partner Lokesh Rahul scoring 24.

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