SAY CHESSE: UP players pose for shutterbugs after the match
After piling up 540 in their first innings, UP bowled out Bihar for 141 and 132 in the two innings to register a comprehensive victory on the third day. Resuming at 44/2 in 18 overs, Bihar, who were forced to follow on, were dismissed for a paltry 132 in 36.4 overs, handing UP a massive win. Mangal Mahrour top-scored with 27, while captain Sakibul Gani contributed 24. Suraj Kashyap provided some late resistance with a brisk 25 off 17 balls, but Bihar’s batting collapsed once again. Karan Sharma picked up three wickets for 17 runs, taking his match tally to seven, while Zeeshan Ansari claimed four wickets for 40 runs to dismantle Bihar’s batting line-up in the second innings. Kartik Yadav, who had taken four wickets for 26 runs in the first innings, picked up two more in the second innings to finish with six wickets in the match.
UP earned seven points and moved to the top of the points table, while Madhav Kaushik was adjudged Player of the Match. Three batters were dismissed for ducks.
Speaking to TOI, Aryan Juyal said, “It has been a very strong start to the season. Speaking about his off-break bowling, Karan said, “During the off-season, I worked hard on my bowling and added variations. UP head coach Gyanendra Pandey said, “Winning the first match outright and taking seven points boosts the confidence of both the team and the management.
The main challenge was that it was a fresh pitch, and we were unsure how it would behave. Our team combination was solid, as it allowed us to play multiple bowling options. This performance is the result of that effort. It was very good for the team’s momentum, as it gives the squad another bowling option. The next match is in Kanpur, and we will hope for a similar result there as well. I am taking it one match at a time.”