Rayadu ton gives Baroda command over MP

Vadodara: Ambati Rayudu (119) struck a sparkling century as Baroda maintained their stranglehold over Madhya Pradesh on the second day of their Ranji Trophy Elite division match on Friday.

The home side, which bundled out the visitors for just 63 on Thursday, made 375 all out in their first innings courtesy Rayudu, who batted with authority till he fell to Amit Sharma. Opener Aditya Waghmode had made a valuable contribution of 99 on Thursday. If not for Madhya Pradesh off-spinner Jalaj Saxena, who ran through the lower order and returned with figures of five for 61, Baroda could have scored a much bigger total. In reply, Madhya Pradesh were 176 for two with wicketkeeper Naman Ojha still batting on 63 with the help of nine fours and two sixes. Mohnish Mishra chipped in with 58 before he fell to Yusuf Pathan. Madhya Pradesh still trail Baroda by 136 runs with eight second innings wickets in hand. Resuming at his overnight score of 80 and team total of 207 for four, Rayudu completed his ton as he added 39 more runs in the morning session before being out to Amit Sharma. Explosive Yusuf Pathan disappointed as he contributed just nine runs while captain and wicket-keeper Pinal Shah chipped in with 54 runs at the Moti Bagh Stadium. Brief Scores: Madhya Pradesh 1st Innings: 63 all out Baroda 1st Innings: 375 all out in 94 overs (Aditya Waghmode 99, Ambati Rayudu 119; Jalaj Saxena 5/61) Madhya Pradesh 2nd Innings: 176 for two in 49 overs (Naman Ojha 63 batting, Mohnish Mishra 58). PTI