Ranji Trophy: Suresh Raina's Uttar Pradesh Hold Edge Over Tamil Nadu

Uttar Pradesh held the edge after Vijay Shankar's 92 guided Tamil Nadu to 174 for six in reply to the home team's 348 all out in their Group B Ranji Trophy cricket match here on Monday. (Suresh Raina Scores Half-Century Against Tamil Nadu)

Resuming at their overnight score of 277 for four, Uttar Pradesh lost Saurabh Kumar (41) for the addition of 33 runs at the Green Park Stadium. Kumar smashed a breezy 41 off 27 balls, striking nine boundaries.

Trying to stake a claim in the Test squad, India's limited overs specialist Suresh Raina, who is leading the UP team, fell after adding nine runs to his overnight score.

Raina's 92-ball 61 was studded with nine hits to the fence. Malolan Rangarajan (3/51) and Aswin Crist (3/86) were the most successful bowlers for Tamil Nadu.

In reply, the visitors were off to a disastrous starts, losing three wickets for a mere six runs on the board. Shankar and Baba Indrajith (44) then added 105 runs for the fourth wicket to steady the innings.

Pace spearhead Praveen Kumar, who had removed opener Baba Aparajith and Dinesh Karthik cheaply, gave the hosts another important breakthrough when he had the well-set Shankar caught by Himanshu Asnora to leave Tamil Nadu in a spot of bother at 167 for five.

At stumps on the second day, Tamil Nadu trailed the hosts by 174 runs with four wickets remaining.