Kanpur: Yashu Pradhan, Aman and captain Bhavya Goyal batted with determination to place UP in a commanding position against Rajasthan as hosts posted a score of 7 for 336 in their second innings on the penultimate day of their four-day quarter-final tie of Cooch Behar Trophy on Monday.
UP now leads by 340 runs and will bat for at least one hour on the final day, or until captain Bhavya Goyal, currently batting on 76 runs, achieves his century.
Earlier, first innings' hero Aman once again showcased his batting prowess, scoring precisely 100 runs. Yashu Pradhan was unfortunate to miss his century by merely 9 runs, contributing 91 runs.
UP might utilise this opportunity for batting practice under match conditions, having essentially secured their semi-final berth. However, should Rajasthan dismiss UP's innings early morning, they would pursue victory, being their sole route to advance. This scenario could potentially produce aggressive batting.
The hosts' innings primarily centred around these three batsmen, who formed three crucial partnerships. Yashu and Aman resumed the second innings from the overnight score, constructing a 128-run partnership off 208 balls for the second wicket.
Yashu, approaching his century, fell nine runs short when Jatin trapped him leg before wicket while playing off his back foot. His innings included 13 boundaries and a six from 113 deliveries. Subsequently, Aman and S Rai established a substantial third-wicket partnership of 65 runs from 136 balls, focusing on capitalising on loose deliveries.
Yash Yadav terminated their partnership, dismissing Rai leg before wicket for 38 runs. UP then lost Bhavi Sharma and aggressive batsman Karthikeya Singh in quick succession, both falling leg before wicket. Captain Bhavya Goyal provided excellent support to Aman, who achieved his century after facing 250 balls, including just 10 boundaries. Goyal subsequently took charge, remaining unbeaten on 76 runs, with Aditya Kumar Singh batting on 5 runs.
For Rajasthan, Jatin and Yash Pradhan claimed three wickets each.
Brief score: UP first innings-258 and second innings-7 for 336 (Yashu Pradhan 91, Aman 100, S Rai 38, Bhavya Goyal batting 76, Jatin 3 for 66, Yash Yadav 3 for 94, Toshit 1 for 44).
Rajasthan first innings-254