Skipper Prasanth Kumar missed out on a much-deserving double century by a whisker as Andhra Pradesh posted 417 in their first innings and then reduced Himachal Pradesh to 24 for three at stumps on the second day of their Group C Ranji Trophy here today.
Kumar continued his good run with the bat but he lost partners in the other end as R K Bhui (7), K Bharat Reddy (24) and Shiv Kumar (12) -- all were dismissed cheaply.
Kumar finally was dismissed at an individual score of 199 off Dhawan's bowling but Andhra had crossed the 350-mark by then. His 422-ball innings was studded with 21 hits to the fence and four sixes.
The hosts then hurtled towards a vital first innings lead when their bowlers produced a brilliant display to get rid off three HP batsmen -- P Chopra (9), A Bali (0) and P Dogra (0) within 11 overs.
For HP, R Dhawan (5/125) and VS Malik (4/73) took five and four wickets respectively.
At the draw of stumps, Jarnail Singh (9) and V Bhatia (2) were at the crease, still trailing by 393 runs with seven wickets remaining in their 1st innings.
Brief Score:
Andhra 1st innings: 417 runs in 162.2 overs (Prasanth Kumar 199; R Dhawan 5/125)
Himachal Pradesh 1st innings: 24/3 in 11 overs (Jarnail Singh 9; DP Vijay Kumar 2/17).
