Saket Bhatia and Sanjeev Sharma, with a sixth wicket partnership of 112 runs, were instrumental in Rajasthan gaining a first innings lead of 26 runs on the third day of their Central Zone Ranji Trophy league match at the KL Saini stadium in Jaipur on Wednesday. Replying to UP's 270, Rajasthan were all out for 296. In their second innings, UP were 81 for three at stumps.

Resuming at 183 for five, Rajasthan lost their sixth wicket only at 253 when Bhatia was leg before to Salabh Srivastava for 79. Bhatia faced 184 balls and hit ten fours. Sanjeev Sharma kept going till he was ninth out at 296. For his 85, he faced 180 balls and hit 11 fours. The bowling honours were cornered by opening bowlers AW Zaidi (5 for 84) and Srivastava (4 for 98).

Openers Rohit Prash (26) and Jyoti Yadav (28) gave UP a good start by putting on 46 runs. But in the last hour, UP lost three wickets to be in a position of some anxiety at close.