Ranji Trophy: Suresh Raina Ton Gives Uttar Pradesh Control on Day 3

Skipper Suresh Raina smashed an unbeaten 145 as Uttar Pradesh declared their second innings on 273 for five to gain complete control against Tamil Nadu on Day 3 of the Group B Ranji Trophy cricket match here on Tuesday.

Chasing a mammoth 391 to win the four-day encounter at the Green Park, Tamil Nadu were 5 for no loss at stumps with skipper Abhinav Mukund (3 batting) and Baba Aparajith (0 batting).(Irfan and Munaf Shine for Baroda)

After bundling out the visitors for 231, the UP top-order got down to business right away with opener Almas Shaukat (75) and Raina stitching up a 138-run second-wicket partnership.(Assam Set to Topple Delhi)

The left-hander went on score his 14th first-class century and stayed a the crease for 138 balls, his innings laced with 9 fours and 6 sixes.

Looking to notch up an outright win, Raina declared the innings and invited the visitors to bat in the dying moments of the day in a hope to get an early breakthrough.

Earlier starting the day on 174 for six in reply to the home team's score of 348, Tamil Nadu lower-order could not last long though No.9 batsman Malolan Rangarajan scored a gutsy 45. Vijay Shankar remained the top-scorer with 92 ruyns.

UP pace spearhead Praveen Kumar was the wrecker-in-chief with a four-wicket haul, while medium-pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar and left-arm spinner Suarabh Kumar bagged two wickets apiece.

Brief Scores:

Uttar Pradesh 348 and 273/5 dec (Suresh Raina 145 not out, Almas Shaukat 75; Baba Aparajith 2-73)

Tamil Nadu 231 and 5/0 in 8 overs (Abhinav Mukund 3 batting, Baba Aparajith 0 batting; Bhuvneshwar Kumar 0-4).