Ranji Trophy Group C: Madhav Kaushik's Unbeaten 128 Gives Up Upper Hand Against Punjab

Opening batter Mhav Kaushik's unbeaten 128 handed Uttar Presh an upper hand against Punjab as y reached 293 for 3 on Day 2 of ir Ranji Trophy Group C match here on Sunday.

UP resumed day at 8/0 after hosts me 210 in ir first innings, and y are ahe by 83 runs at stumps with seven wickets in hand.

After 34 runs were ded in day, Punjab got breakthrough as UP skipper Aryan Juyal (16) fell to Gurnoor Brar.

Kaushik and Priyam Garg (27) pair ded 43 more to UP total before latter became Brar's second victim.

As score re 85/2, Kaushik was joined by India international Nitish Rana (66), with two stitching a partnership of 120 runs for third wicket.

While Kaushik struck his second First-Class ton during this stand, Rana brought up his 13th fifty in format.

Eventually, Mayank Markande was one to break alliance, trapping Rana leg-before.

Although UP were trailing behind by five runs n, Kaushik-Rinku Singh (46 not out off 85 balls) duo has so far shared a 88-run stand for unconquered fourth wicket to keep UP in a comfortable position.

Kaushik has so far hit 17 fours during his 231-ball unbeaten innings. On Saturday, Punjab were bowled out for 210, courtesy of Shivam Mavi's four-wicket haul, while Pukhraj Mann (61) and Sanvir Singh (50) were top scorers for hosts.

Brief scores: In Mullanpur: Punjab 210 (Pukhraj Mann 61, Sanvir Singh 50; Shivam Mavi 4/29) trails Uttar Presh 293/3 (Mhav Kaushik 128 batting, Nitish Rana 66, Rinku Singh 46 batting; Gurnoor Brar 2/66) by 83 runs.

In Patna: Bihar 143 (Sharman Nigrodh 60; Shreyas Gopal 4/28) les Karnataka 16/0 (Nikin Jose 11 batting) by 127 runs. No play on Day 2 due to rain.

In Kolkata: Kerala 51/4 (Rohan Kunnummal 23; Ishan Porel 3/18) vs Bengal.

In Indore: Mhya Presh 308 (Himanshu Mantri 97, Jayant Yav 5/84) les Haryana 185/3 (Lakshay Dalal 60 batting, Himanshu Rana 90; Avesh Khan 2/25) by 123 runs.