Patwardhan, Sodhi help MP realise tall total

Valuable knocks from Nikhil Patwardhan and Harvinder Sodhi helped Madhya Pradesh to an imposing 408 in a Central Zone Ranji Trophy game against Rajasthan at Gwalior on Tuesday. By stumps Rajasthan openers Anshu Jain and VA Saxena had knocked off 57 runs in 22 overs without being separated.

Resuming at 214/5, skipper Chandrakant Pandit was removed by Rajasthan professional Sanjeev Sharma for 24, seven overs into the day. Patwardhan and Sodhi added 78 before the former was trapped leg before by Jain for 77 (206 balls, 4 fours). Sunil Lahore chipped in with a breezy 33 and Sodhi guided MP past the 400 mark in the company of last man Narendra Hirwani, remaining unbeaten on 70 (183 balls, 6 fours, 1 six). Seven bowlers were among the wickets for Rajasthan, a highly unusual occurence.