The Ranji Trophy round-up

THE LEADERBOARDBengal with one win and two points from the first innings lead against Maharashtra are on top of Group A and Baroda with a si...

THE LEADERBOARD

Bengal with one win and two points from the first innings lead against Maharashtra are on top of Group A and Baroda with a similar result lead group B. While Delhi were crushed by Bengal on home turf by ten wickets, Baroda defeated Uttar Pradesh by an innings and 93 runs.

THE UGLIES

Andhra were set a target of 220 off 43 overs and the batsmen took up the gauntlet in a splendid manner. But the umpires had to call off play when Hyderabad skipper Arjun Yadav tried to hit Andhra batsman A T Rayudu soon after the latter8217;s dismissal with the home team at 133 for 6. Rayudu has opted to play for Andhra this season. After being dismissed, Rayudu was returning to the pavilion, when Yadav made an unsporting gesture. Rayudu replied in defence before Yadav uprooted a stump to hit him. The timely intervention by umpires K S Giridharan and Sudhir Asnani pacified the players. The BCCI later slapped a 50 per cent match fee fine on both cricketers.

THE NEW BLOSSOM

Haryana: After beating Uttar Pradesh in Round One they snatched the first innings lead against hosts Punjab. Joginder Sharma again impressed with the ball while M Rawat came good with the bat in the second innings with a century at number eight.

HAVING A BALL

After getting only one wicket in the opening encounter against Maharashtra, Bengal8217;s Shib Sankar Paul, on a pitch prepared to suit Delhi8217;s spinners, routed the hosts with an impressive six-wicket first innings haul, and ten three in the second. He was supported well by Sourashish Lahiri in the second innings who took his second five-wicket haul of the season in as many matches.

WILLOW-WISE

While Mumbai8217;s Wasim Jaffer scored a double century in the first round against Delhi, it was the turn of Baroda skipper Jacob Martin to get cracking in the second. His unbeaten 251 29 fours and a six helped Baroda beat Uttar Pradesh.

WHAT8217;S COMING UP

Next round from Dec. 9: Mumbai take on Bengal at home; Railways host Gujarat; Delhi play Maharashtra in Delhi; Karnataka travel to Chennai to take on Tamil Nadu; Punjab face Hyderabad in Mohali; Uttar Pradesh play Services in Kanpur and Haryana take on Baroda at home.