Bhuvneshwar Kumar strikes six times for UP

The Mohun Meakins wicket might have transformed into a batting paradise but the thickness in the air ensured the bowlers still had a field day.

If it was Haryana fast bowler Dhruv Singhs brilliance on Day One,Uttar Pradeshs Bhuvneshwar Kumar stole the show on Thursday. Haryana looked dominant before Bhuvneshwar wrecked havoc,folding up for 272 after the pacer claimed 6/77 for his best figures so far in First-Class cricket.

Haryana began the day in a strong position,due to an unbeaten opening stand of 109 runs. But Bhuvneshwar struck in the first hour,moving the ball both ways. Batting on 66,Nitin Saini was trapped leg before,confused by the wildly swinging ball. Sunny Singh stitched another 52-run partnership with Rahul Dewan before edging one to the keeper.

UP skipper Mohammad Kaif employed various tactics to put pressure on the batsmen. Without Sudeep Tyagi,Bhuvneshwar bowled long spells and scoring became almost impossible. Dewans resilient innings of 78 was ended by Bhuvneshwar.

Piyush Chawla bowled well from the other end,dismissing Hemang Badani,Joginder Sharma and Amit Mishra as Haryana managed a 105-run lead. It wasnt all over for the visitors though,as Joginder Sharma tormented Kaif & Co in the second innings,scalping all three UP wickets to fall in the final session,leaving the hosts 68/3 at stumps.

Brief scores: UP 167 & 68/3

(T Srivastava 33*; J Sharma 3/31) vs Haryana 272 all out (R Dewan 78,N Saini 66,M Sharma 35; B Kumar 6/77,P Chawla 3/86)