Yadav, Dwivedi steer UP to 300/6 against Punjab

Kuldeep Yadav (62 not out) and wicketkeeper Eklavya Dwivedi (60) rescued Uttar Pradesh from a shaky 143 for five to take the team to 300 for six at the close of first day's play against Punjab in a Ranji Trophy Group A match here.
At stumps, left-arm spinner Saurabh Kumar (39 not out) was giving Kuldeep, known more for his chinaman bowling, company.
Opting to bat, UP did not have an ideal start as they lost both their openers -- skipper Tanmay Srivastava (0) and Samarth Singh (12) -- cheaply, to be struggling at 31 for two.
Shubhek Gil (3/52) and Sandeep Sharma (2/68) managed to cause the early damage despite important contributions from Umang Sharma (49) and Rinku Singh (50).

However, Yadav and Dwivedi played patient and responsible knocks, and in the process pulled the team out of a jittery start by putting on a solid 99-run stand together for the sixth wicket.
The duo took UP to a relative safety of 298 for six before Dwivedi got out with a score of 60 that came off 77 balls, including seven boundaries and a six.

Yadav played 147 ball for his unbeaten 62, studded with three hits to the fence and two sixes.
Brief scores:
Uttar Pradesh 1st innings: 300 for six in 90 overs (Kuldeep Yadav 62 batting, Eklavya Dwivedi 60, Rinku Singh 50; Shubhek Gil 3/52) vs Punjab.