Yuvraj double-ton sees North gunning for an outright win

Yuvraj Singh celebrated his return to the Indian one-day squad in the most emphatic manner at the Nahar Singh Stadium, completing his first double hundred in first-class cricket.

Yuvraj, who began the day on 163 not out, went on to make 209 before falling to part-timer Sadagoppan Ramesh. His mammoth knock enabled North to pile on 558 for nine before declaration. South facing a first-innings deficit of 390 were 126 for one in their second dig when stumps were drawn.

In the morning, North who resumed at 387 for three, lost Shafiq Khan (60) in the first session. Sangram Singh, who followed, did not make much of an impression being dismissed for just 12.

North wicket-keeper Vijay Dahiya, however, was to make an important contribution, and in his company Yuvraj brought up his double-hundred. Dahiya with the tail for company, then, went on to make 53 before being dismissed. All the South bowlers received a hammering, Venkatesh Prasad with three wickets being the only bowler whose figures retained a modicum of responsibilty.

South, who were without first-innings top-scorer Vijay Bhardwaj, he had flown out to join the Indian squad, made an impressive start to their effort to save the match. Opener S Sriram and Ramesh (31) put on 53 before the latter was dismissed. Sriram (64*) and D Vinay Kumar (23*) though ensured that their team ended the day without suffering further contretemps.