Saurashtra today took complete control of their group B Ranji Trophy match against Uttar Pradesh by first amassing 632 runs and then sending four batsmen of the rival team to pavilion.
Replying to Saurashtra's 632/7, the visitors were 226 for four, losing among others the in-form captain Suresh Raina, at the Saurashtra Cricket Association (SCA) stadium at Khandheri.
Parvinder Singh (26) and Arish Alam (33) were at the crease at the end of the third day's play. The visitors need another 256 runs to avoid follow-on.
Replying to Saurashtra's 632 for 7, the Uttar Pradesh's first challenge was to avoid follow-on. Abhishek Bhatt gave the hosts first breakthrough when he trapped Tanmay Srivastav (7) in front of wicket in the fourth over.
Mohd Kaif and Mukul Dagar added 139 runs for the second wicket, before left-arm seamer Jaydev Unadkat struck twice dismissing Kaif (49) and then captain Suresh Raina (10) in quick succession reducing the visitors to 164 for 3.
Dagar, who held one end, was caught by Kamlesh Makwana off Dharmendra Jadeja after making a composed 92 occupying the crease for three hours facing 135 balls with 16 fours and a six.
Parvinder Singh and Arish Alam made sure there was no further damage by adding 59 runs for the unbroken fifth wicket partnership.
For Saurashtra, Unadkat took two wickets conceding only 15 runs in his 15 overs while Abhishek Bhatt and Dharmendra Jadeja shared a wicket each giving away 31 runs and 89 runs respectively.
