UP in command against Vidarbha despite Badani's knock

Uttar Pradesh's bowlers did enough to give their team the edge after the batsmen posted a mammoth total in their Group B Ranji Trophy match against Vidarbha, in Nagpur, on Monday.

With the hosts still trailing by more than 300 runs at 237 for 6 at stumps on the third day, Uttar Pradesh are certain to take the first-innings lead and three points from the outing.

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Resuming on 524 for 7, Uttar Pradesh declared after adding 24 runs to their overnight score, for the loss of Arish Alam's wicket, but not before the batsman knocked off the required seven runs to get to the three-figure mark at the Vidarbha Cricket Association ground.

Alam, who was batting on 93 when stumps were drawn on Sunday, scored exactly 100 off 217 balls, and spent 255 minutes in the middle, hitting nine fours.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar was not out on 47 when the innings was declared.

Sandeep Singh was the best bowler for the hosts, returning figures of four for 89, while Gaurav Upadhyaya finished with three for 141.

After being on the field for more than two days, Vidarbha failed to impress with the bat as none of their batsman, save Hemang Badani, could get a big score.

Badani battled his way to an unbeaten 69 off 120 balls, which included eight fours and a six.

Buvnesh Kumar and Imtiaz Ahmed took two wickets apiece while Ankit Rajpoot and Alam one each.

Brief Scores:

Uttar Pradesh: 548-8 in 186.4 overs (M Dagar 116, A Alam 100, M Kaif 85, P Chawla 85; Sandeep Singh 4-89).

Vidarbha: 237-6 in 80.4 overs (H Badani batting 69).