Ranji Trophy: Dagar, Kaif help UP dominate Delhi on second day

Ghaziabad - Hosts Uttar Pradesh dictated play on the second day as they took a lead of 57 runs against Delhi in their Ranji Trophy Group B tie at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here Saturday.

Uttar Pradesh finished the day’s play at 292 for six with the help of a sensational 196-run partnership between opener Mukul Dagar (116) and veteran Mohammed Kaif (91).

The hosts started the day at 40 for one with Dagar and Kaif taking guard. Delhi went wicket-less in the morning session as the bowlers failed to take advantage of the morning conditions.

Ishant Sharma sent in a few quick bouncers, one hitting Kaif on the helmet, but could not dismantle the batsmen, who continued piling runs.

The 21-year-old, Dagar, scored a brilliant maiden century, including 14 boundaries. His previous highest score was 37 against Karnataka in the only innings he has played in Ranji Trophy.

Former Uttar Pradesh skipper Kaif provided good support to his left handed partner, hitting 11 fours and one six over long leg. Kaif’s strike rate was even better than Dagar but the 31-year-old slowed down after reaching the 80s as Dagar went on to score his ton.

Being over-defensive didn’t help the middle-order batsman as he was trapped leg-before off the bowling of spinner Vikas Mishra, missing out on his 18th first class century.

Kaif’s dismissal started a mini-downfall for Uttar Pradesh as Dagar fell soon when he was clean bowled by Sumit Narwal while trying to go for a cover drive.

Karnal-born Narwal then went on to take the wickets of Parvinder Singh (20) and Arish Alam (1) giving Delhi some hope to stage a comeback.

Delhi pacers Ashish Nehra and Pradeep Sangwan proved ineffective, failing to take a single wicket throughout the day.

Delhi skipper Virender Sehwag stayed out for most of the post-tea session due to a minor finger injury.

At the end of the day, Uttar Pradesh skipper Suresh Raina and Amir Khan were batting at 19 and 4 respectively when bad light stopped play.