Sriram makes merry at UP's expense

Having already qualified for the knock out phase, Tamil Nadu could afford to go all out to press home their advantage against Uttar Pradesh at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur. The presence of Test cap Sadagoppan Ramesh at the head of the order helped bolster a batting line up that was in good nick as it is.

Opening the bowling for Uttar Pradesh, Ashish Winston Zaidi struck early, getting rid of Ramesh after the south paw managed just six runs. However, that was all the joy Uttar Pradesh were entitle to as Sridharan Sriram stole the limelight with a scintillating unbeaten hundred. Well supported by hard hitting youngster Hemang K Badani, Sriram notched up milestone after milestone in the course of the day. Reaching his fifty off a sedate 121 balls, Sriram then increased the tempo, requiring only an additional 61 balls to reach the three figure mark. Sharing a 109 run partnership with Badani, Sriram took Tamil Nadu to a position of real strength.

When Badani (62) was stumped by Manoj Mudgal off the bowling of Raza Uttar Pradesh might have thought they finally got the breakthrough that would help them restrict the rampaging Tamil Nadu side. No such luck. JR Madanagopal walked out to the middle and joined the unstoppable Sriram. Helping himself to an unbeaten 80 that included five boundaries and two sixes, Madanagopal saw Sriram through to 152. With Sriram unbeaten on 152, stumps were called. At 311 for 2, it would be safe to say that Tamil Nadu are firmly in the driving seat at the end of the first day.