Uthappa stakes claim

The Karnataka batsman knew the opportunity was being offered to him on a platter and he grabbed it with both hands on the first day of the Ranji Trophy Elite group A match against Saurashtra at the Madhavrao Scindia Stadium at Rajkot today.

He wielded his willow in style to complete his fourth century of the season, helping the visitors take a commanding 329 for four position.

After a boundary off the second ball he pulled Sandip Maniyar through mid-wicket, making his intentions clear. The 21-year-old was particularly severe against Saurashtra’s right-arm spinner Kamlesh Makwana, sending him for three consecutive boundaries in the 13th over.

Then, in the first over after lunch, he hammered the same bowler for two fours and a six to jump from 86 to his sixth first-class ton.

His racy knock came to an end when he edged Sandip Jobanputra while attempting a glance and wicket-keeper Sagar Jogiyani took a superb catch, diving to his left.

By then the batsman had already stitched a 167-run partnership with C Raghu (83) for the second wicket.

Uthappa’s 109-ball 108 was woven with 18 hits to the ropes and one over.

“I knew we needed a good start and I needed to be there at the crease for the team,” said Uthappa.

But was it a deliberate attempt to play fast, as the selection is due for limited-over games? Rahul Dravid was all praise for the batsman. “He is a very talented batsman. It was a good knock today. He played positively,” said Dravid.

Saurashtra’s sloppy fielding did not help their cause either. First Raghu was dropped at second slip by Rakesh Dhruve off Jobanputra with the tourists at 85 for 1. It was a double whammy for the hosts as the spinner, Dhruve, who was one of main bowlers for Saurashtra, fractured his little finger and will have to remain out of action for six to seven weeks.

Uthappa was then dropped at 51 by Firoz Bambhania off Jobanputra at mid-on. Uthappa got a lifeline again soon after reaching his 100.

Dravid, who was the main attraction of the day with fans flocking to the stadium in big numbers, made 56.

Brief scores: Karnataka 329/4 (R Uthappa 108, C Raghu 83, R Dravid 56, K Makwana 2/129) vs Saurashtra.