Ranji Trophy 2015-16: Madhya Pradesh fight back against Uttar Pradesh on Day 4

Ranji Trophy 2015-16: Madhya Pradesh fight back against Uttar Pradesh on Day 4

Aditya Shrivastava and Devendra Bundela ensured that Madhya Pradesh continued to give tough fight to Uttar Pradesh on Day Four of the Ranji Trophy 2015-16 Group B match at Moradabad. UP’s gargantuan 686 for 7 was set up by the combined efforts of Tanmay Srivastava (75), Almas Shaukat (128), Mohammad Saif (198), and Mumbai import Sarfaraz Khan (155). However, MP’s batsmen ensured that they did not cave in without a fight, as Shrivastava and Naman Ojha helped MP reach 234 for 3 at stumps on Day Three. Shrivastava and Bundela then combined for another huge partnership to keep the UP bowlers at bay. Live Cricket Score, Uttar Pradesh vs Madhya Pradesh, Ranji Trophy 2015-16, Group B match, Day 4 at Moradabad

Shrivastava remained unbeaten on 150 off 377 balls with 19 fours and one six at lunch on Day Four. Bundela remained not out on 55 off 114 with 11 boundaries. Praveen Kumar was the most economical bowler for UP, conceding a mere 32 off his 17 overs with 10 maidens, though he did not take a wicket. Ankit Rajpoot (2 for 50) and Kuldeep Yadav (1 for 111) were the only men to take any wickets for UP, as the flat pitch continued to produce runs for the batsmen and long, fruitless spells for the bowlers.

Kuldeep, who is on First-Class debut, bowled considerably well but sadly was unable to find much in what proved to be a highway-flat track. Only Rajpoot was able to get the ball to play a few tricks, but even that was not enough to stop the dour pair of Shrivastava and Bundela.

Brief scores:

Uttar Pradesh 686 for 7 decl. (Almas Shaukat 128, Mohammad Saif 98, Sarfaraz Khan 155; Ishwar Pandey 3 for 75) lead Madhya Pradesh 344 for 3 (Aditya Shrivastava 150*, Naman Ojha 88; Ankit Rajpoot 2 for 50) by 342 runs.