Yadav, Kaif give UP solid foundation

A century by opening batsman Jyoti Yadav and an unbeaten 81 by Test discard Mohd. Kaif powered Uttar Pradesh to an imposing 298/2 on the opening day of their Central Zone Ranji Trophy clash against Vidarbha at the VCA ground in Nagpur on Thursday. Both teams are currently languishing at the bottom of the zonal table, with UP having collected a mere three points from their two opening matches while Vidarbha remain scoreless, again after two games.

Batting first after winning the toss, UP openers N Ali and Yadav raised 111 for the first wicket in just over 26 overs. Ali's dismissal by Vidarbha skipper Pradeep Gandhe for a brisk 58 (88 balls, 11 fours) set the stage for another fruitful partnership, between Yadav and Kaif. The two combined in a 123 run second wicket stand which ended in the final session when Yadav fell to opening bowler AM Piprode. His 109 came off 210 balls and included 17 hits to the pickets. Kaif was joined by skipper Gyanendra Pandey and the duo played out the next 22 overs to take UP safely through to stumps, with their unbroken association worth 64. Kaif was steadily progressing towards three figures, having compiled 81 (207 balls, 11 fours).