Rajat Patidar struck a strokeful century to help Madhya Pradesh gain a first-innings lead of 20 runs on the second day of their Ranji Trophy cricket match against Railways here today.
Patidar hit 113 off 131 balls with the help of 18 fours to do the bulk of scoring for Madhya Pradesh as the home side were all out for 276 in reply to Railways' first innings total of 256 at the Captain Roop Singh Stadium.
Captain Devendra Bundela and Rameez Khan contributed 47 and 53 respectively to resist Railways' threat after Madhya Pradesh began the day at a precarious 7 for 2, trailing by 249 runs.
Patidar took charge and had a dogged Naman Ojha (31 off 151 balls) for company at the other end. The two put on 136 runs off 224 balls. They were the only ones to score in double-figures among the top five. The tail had similar trouble as Railways managed to keep themselves in the hunt and bowled MP out for 276.
For the visitors, leg-spinner Karn Sharma took 5 for 102 while Anureet Singh got three wickets for 40 runs.
Railways also made a shaky start in their second innings as they finished the day at 42 for 1 after 16 overs for an overall lead of 22 runs. Ashish Singh was bowled in the third over off the bowling of Jalaj Saxena.
Brief Scores:
Railways: 256 & 42/1 in 16 overs (Saurabh Wakaskar 24 batting)
Madhya Pradesh 1st Innings: 276 all out in 90.2 overs (Rajat Patidar 113, Rameez Khan 53; Karn Sharma 5/102).
