Rajasthan v Uttar Pradesh (Ranji Trophy, Central Zone League)

O P Sharma, CricInfo
7-10 November 1998

Gangan Khoda (82) and Rahul Kanwat (99) played good knocks for Rajasthan on the first day of the four-day Ranji Trophy League match at Mansarover Ground, Jaipur.

Rajasthan, once in a very strong position before tea, were 282 for 8 wickets (90 overs) when stumps were drawn. Debutant Mohammad Wasim, a middle-order bat, and Devendrapal Singh were at the crease. Earlier, both teams rung in the selection changes, Rajasthan making two, and Uttar Pradesh making three.

Rajasthan's captain Aashish Kapoor won the toss and elected to bat. Opener Anshu Jain was out in the second over. Gagan Khoda and Rahul Kanwat added 166 runs for the second wicket to steady the Rajasthan innings. Khoda was out in the 50th over, as he hit a full-toss from off-spinner Moosi Raza, to substitute fielder Rakesh Sharma at long on. Rajasthan progressed from 114 for 1 at lunch to a comfortable 201 for 3 at tea, losing both Khoda and Kanwat in the process. Kaushal Devra on 4 and Aashish Kapoor on were at the crease at tea.

After tea Uttar Pradesh struck back and claimed five wickets, Moosi Raza taking four of them.

Day 2 Report

Due to heavy overnight rain and bad light, only 133 minutes of play was possible today. Earlier Rajasthan resumed from their overnight total of 282 for 8. Thanks to debutants Mohammad Wasid and Devendra Pal Singh, 80 runs were added for the ninth wicket. Left-hander Devendra Pal Singh completed his maiden Ranji fifty.

Play was possible only after tea. Umpires S Balachandran and KG Laxminarayana inspected the pitch three times during the course of the day. The one-hour extension was enforced, and 37 overs were bowled. Once the ninth wicket partnership was broken (Mohammed Wasid was bowled by a ball that kept low), the Rajasthan innings folded in the 17th over of the day.

In reply, Uttar Pradesh made a brisk start scoring 18 for no loss with 5.1 overs to go, when bad light brought a premature end to the day's proceedings.

Day 3 Report

Rajasthan skipper Ashish Kapoor, and all-rounder Devendra Pal Singh put their team right on top as they claimed three and two wickets respectively, to put pressure on Uttar Pradesh.

Earlier Uttar Pradesh openers Mohammed Kaif and Jyoti Yadav scored half-centurys each. Mohammed Kaif and Jyoti Yadav added 98 runs for the first wicket. Saurabh Shukla did not last long, bowled by Devendra Pal Singh's arm-ball. UP skipper Gyanendra Pandey and Rizwan Shamshad added 90 runs for the fourth wicket, before Rizwan was brillantly caught at square leg off Aashish Kapoor. Rahul Sapru was out in the last over of the day, caught by a diving Gagan Khoda at forward shortleg. Gyanendra Pandey remained unbeaten on 49 runs.

Day 4 Report

Rajasthan's bowlers performed well at a crucial time to wrest a 29-run first innings lead, and take first innings points.

Rajasthan's captain Aashish Kapoor bowled magnificently and took 6 wickets for 111 runs. He was ably supported by Devendra Pal Singh who took 3 wickets for 83 runs. Uttar Pradesh skipper, Gyanendra Pandey was the top scorer for his team scoring 72 before he was lbw off a ball from Shamsher that kept low. Wicket-keeper Manoj Mudgal chipped in with a useful 48 runs. Uttar Pradesh were all out for 309.

In their second innings, Rajasthan were 77-4 at when the match ended. Both captains and the Umpires decided to call off the match in the 8th mandatory over. Uttar Pradesh's left arm spinner Shivdhar Bajpai took three wickets. Rajasthan's opened its points tally with the five points they garnered in this match. They now have 5 points from two matches.