Vijay`s 266 powers ROI to 354-run lead against Rajasthan

Bangalore: Opener Murali Vijay struck a magnificent double century as Rest of India stretched their lead to a mammoth 354 runs against a hapless Rajasthan on the third day of the Irani Cup match at here today.

Rajasthan were 43 for one in their second innings with skipper Hrishikesh Kanitkar and opener Vineet Saxena on 21 and 17 respectively at close of play. The Ranji Champions were trailing by 311 runs. It would be a herculean task for Rajasthan, who were bundled out for less than 300 runs in the first innings, to first make ROI bat again and avoid defeat with two days still to go. The Ranji champions began their second stint losing their opener Ankit Lamba for four caught by Murali Karthik in the very first over of Ishant Sharma. Vijay, who scored 266 off 394 balls with 36 boundaries and six sixes, toyed with the ineffective Rajasthan bowling attack as ROI declared their first innings at 607 for seven in reply to Rajasthan`s first innings of 253 all out. S Badrinath (55) and Dinesh Karthik gave company to Vijay, before he was caught by Gajendra Singh off Madhur Khatri. Remarkable as Vijay`s power of concentration, range of strokes and stamina were, no less notable was the 141-run stand he forged with Badrinath for third wicket. Another quickfire partnership came for the very next wicket as Vijay went for a merry ride with Dinesh Karthik and put a valuable 63 runs for fourth wicket. Earlier, Rajasthan picked up a wicket in the morning session and had to wait till the post-lunch session to get another breakthrough when Vijay hit one to Gajendra Singh off Madhur Khatri`s bowling. Badrinath, overnight zero, reached his half century just before lunch when he smashed Gajendra Singh to the fine leg fence for boundary. PTI