Rayudu smashes second ton against Andhra

Railways finally managed to gain their first point in this year's Ranji Trophy after securing the first-innings lead in their drawn elite gropu match against Rajasthan at Jaipur. Rajasthan, who resumed their first innings on 282-6, were eventually dismissed for 311, which gave Railways a 73-run lead. For the Ranji Trophy champions, off-spinner Kulamani Parida, who claimed 4-105, was the most successful bowler.

Railways, then, went on to rattle 179-5 in their second innings before declaring. Set a target of 253, Rajasthan, though, settled for a draw, playing out the remaining 28 overs to reach 99-1 before stumps were drawn.

Himachal Pradesh too gained one point from their drawn four-dayer against Bengal at Eden Gardens. The visitors, who had secured a 119-run first innings lead on the third day, declared their second innings at 254-8 in an attempt to secure an outright win. Bengal, though, managed to draw the match by making 257-6 in their final essay; captain Rohan Gavaskar ending up with a quick-fire 103 not out.

At Secunderabad, 17-year-old Ambati Rayudu pressed his claims for an India cap, following his 210 in the first essay with an unbeaten 159 in Hyderabad's second innings against Andhra. The 161-ball scorcher contained as many as 17 boundaries and five sixes. With Rayudu in such blazing form, the Hyderabadis managed to set Andhra a daunting fourth-innings victory target of 376. With MSK Prasad leading the way with an unbeaten 69, Andhra managed to reach 211-5 before play was called off. Hyderabad ended up with one point for having gained a one-run first innings lead.

The Baroda-Tamil Nadu match at Chennai too ended in a draw, after the visitors made 250-5 in their second innings. Opener Satyajit Parab (68) and middle-order bat Tushar Arothe (66*) were the two men who score the bulk of the runs for their team. Tamil Nadu, though, had the satisfaction of gaining the only point on offer, as a result of having secured a 46-run first innings lead on the third day.

At the Barabati Stadium, Cuttack, an unbeaten hundred from Rashmi Ranjan Parida ensured that the Orissa-Punjab match ended in a draw. Parida made 126 not out off 141 balls, as the hosts made 256-6 in their second essay after Punjab had secured the vital first innings lead.

Left-arm spinner Mandar Dalvi claimed five wickets and triggered a Maharashtra second innings collapse which ensured an eight-wicket win for Madhya Pradesh at Indore. After the visitors were dismissed for a paltry 151, Madhya Pradesh led by captain and opener Amay Khurasiya (60) knocked off the target of 107, losing just two second innings wickets. The hosts were rewarded with two points for their efforts.