A superb all-round display by their players has taken Andhra Pradesh to a dominating position against Uttar Pradesh on Day 2 of the Group B Ranji Trophy cricket encounter here today.
Starting on their overnight score of 77 for no loss in response to UP's first innings score of 170, the Mohammed Kaif-led Andhra posted 297.
Getting behind the 127-run trail UP lost three wickets for 39 runs to stay in neck deep trouble at stumps. The visitors still trail by 88 runs.
The day though belonged to the Andhra openers, who managed an 85-run stand to give the hosts a solid start. If Prasanth Kumar top-scored with 67 runs then Srikar Bharat contributed with a fine 62. Kaif also made a 33-run contribution with Siva Kumar making a valuable 32, while coming at No.8.
Pace spearhead Praveen bagged four wickets, while Amit Mishra and Piyush Chawla picked up two wickets apiece.
Already lagging behind, UP then had the worst of starts to lose two of their top batsmen in no time.
Almas Shaukat (7) and Tanmay Srivastava (18) went back early as Kuldeep Yadav (4) as night-watchman also could stay for long. Umang Sharma (4 not out) and Amit (4 not out) are battling out in the middle.
Brief Scores:
Uttar Pradesh 170 and 39/3 in 20 overs (Umang Sharma 4 not out and Amit 4 not out; Paidikalva Vijaykumar 1-14, Cheepurapalli Stephen 1-17, Bandaru Ayyappa 1-2)
Andhra Pradesh 297 all out in 97.3 overs (Prasanth Kumar 67, Srikar Bharat 62; Praveen Kumar 4-86, Amit Mishra 2-68).
