Ranji Trophy: Ambati Rayudu Helps Baroda Near 250 vs Uttar Pradesh

Ambati Rayudu (70) and Aditya Waghmode (56) cracked half-centuries as Baroda reached 242 for five in the first innings against Uttar Pradesh on the opening day of a Group B Ranji Trophy match here on Tuesday. (Read more cricket stories here)

Rayudu's 184-ball unbeaten innings was studded with seven boundaries and a six, while Waghmode hit six fours and a six during his 113 ball stay at the Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground here.

At the draw of stumps, Rayudu was at the crease and giving him company was Irfan Pathan (18).

For Uttar Pradesh, Praveen Kumar (2/34) was the pick of bowlers, while Saurabh Kumar (1/91), Kuldeep Yadav (1/42) and Piyush Chawla (1/36) claimed one wicket each.

Electing to bat, Baroda found themselves at a spot of bother after they lost their opener Kedar Devdhar (0) in the fifth ball of pacer Praveen Kumar but Waghmode and HH Pandya (31) resurrected the innings before the latter was dismissed by Saurabh Kumar in the 20th over.

Waghmode then joined hands with Rayudu and crossed the 100-mark before the opener was trapped in front of wicket by Praveen as Baroda slipped to 108 for three.

Rayudu then took the onus on himself and shared 55 runs with Deepak Jagbir Hooda (30) and stitched a 49-run partnership with Yusuf Pathan (31) for the fourth and fifth wicket respectively to take Baroda across the 200-mark.

Brief Score: Baroda 1st innings: 242 for 5 in 83 overs (A Rayudu 70; Praveen Kumar 2/34).