Ranji Trophy: Hanuma Vihari bats left-handed, helps Andhra reach 379 against MP

Andhra skipper Hanuma Vihari

In an act of bravery, Andhra skipper Hanuma Vihari batted left-handed and defied the speedy Avesh Khan to add 26 runs for the 10th wicket to help the team reach 379 against Madhya Pradesh on the second day of the Ranji Trophy quarter-final here on Wednesday.

Andhra then reduced the defending champions to 144 for four at stumps to seize control of the match.

Sunny memories

Previously, Sunil Gavaskar in a Ranji Trophy match in 1982 against Karnataka, batted left-handed to counter Raghuram Bhat, a left-arm spinner.

Resuming at the overnight score of 262 for 2, things did not go Andhra's way as the hard-working MP bowlers hit back after toiling hard during the massive 251-run stand between Ricky Bhui (149) and Karan Shinde (110). Shinde reached his ton off 254 balls even as Bhui kept going to frustrate the home team's bowling attack.

Earlier, the Madhya Pradesh innings got off to a solid start with opening batters Mantri and Yash Dubey putting on 42 runs. KV Sasikanth (2-37) delivered the first strike for Andhra when he had Dubey caught by CR Gnaneshwar.

Gopal hits 103 not out

Meanwhile, riding on veteran all-rounder Shreyas Gopal's unbeaten 103, Karnataka took a massive 358-run lead against Uttarakhand on Day Two of their Ranji Trophy quarter-final match in Bangalore on Wednesday.

On a day when runs flowed freely for the hosts, skipper Mayank Agarwal (83) was involved in a 159-run opening partnership with Ravikumar Samarth (82) before Devdutt Padikkal (69) and Nikin Jose (62) too scored half centuries as Karnataka ended the day at 474 for five.

Also Read: Tanush Kotian delighted to get Hanuma Vihari in both innings

Punjab openers shine

In the other match, openers Prabhsimran Singh and Naman Dhir struck sparkling centuries to give Punjab the upper hand on the second day of their Ranji Trophy quarter-final against Saurashtra in Rajkot on Wednesday.

Resuming the day at three for no loss in reply to Saurashtra's first innings total of 303 all out, Punjab were 327 for 5 from 91 overs at the close of second day for a lead of 24 runs with Prabhsimran and Naman scoring 126 and 131 runs respectively.

Bengal take 65-run lead

In Kolkata, skipper Abhimanyu Easwaran and Sudip Gharami struck half centuries as Bengal took a slender first innings lead against Jharkhand on Wednesday. After bowling Jharkhand out for 173, Bengal were 238 for 5 at the end of the second day with a crucial 65-run first innings lead.

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