Inspiring batting performances by skipper Karan Sharma (160, 256b, 21×4, 2×6), Sameer Choudhary (67), Vineet Panwar (61 n.o, 112b, 5×4, 2×6), Jasmer Dhankhar (48, 125b,4×4, 2×6), enabled Uttar Pradesh to score 434 in 140 overs in their first innings and at close of play took control of the proceedings by reducing hosts Karnataka to 75/4 in 33 overs, at the end of the second day’s play in the four-day Col. C.K. Nayadu Trophy 2019-20 match being played at SDNR Wadiyar Platinum Jubilee University Grounds here on Thursday.

Resuming at their overnight score of 285/4 in 90 overs, Uttar Pradesh lost skipper Karan Sharma (160) bowled by Abhilash Shetty. At one stage, Uttar Pradesh were 325/8, but a good rear-guard action by Vineet Panwar (61 n.o) and Jasmer Dhankar (48) who added 109-runs for the ninth wicket, enabled them to post 434 in 140 overs.

Medium-pacer Abhilash Shetty impressed with figures of 4/79. M.N. Bhandage (2/43), Rishi Bopanna (2/67), Thushar Harikrishna (1/67) and Vyshak Vijaykumar (1/88) were the wicket-takers for Karnataka.

In reply, Karnataka started badly losing opener B.U. Shivakumar (1) and K. Abheet (0) and were struggling at 2/6, but recovered to some extent when N. Jayesh (38, 69b, 5×4) and skipper Kishan S. Bedare (32, 4×4) added 57-runs for the third wicket, before Jayesh was dismissed off Shiva Singh. Uttar Pradesh are ahead by 359-runs and an interesting day’s play is in the offing.

Scores

Uttar Pradesh 434 in 140 overs (Karan Sharma 160, Sameer Choudhary 67, Vineet Panwar 61 n.o, Jasmer Dhankhar 48, Sawan Singh 45, Abhilash Shetty 4/79, M.N. Bhandage 2/43, Rishi Bopanna 2/82) Vs Karnataka 75/4 in 33 overs (N. Jayesh 38, Kishan S. Bedare 32, Kunal Yadav 2/16, Shiva Singh 2/23).