Eklavya Dwivedi`s ton gives UP big lead against Services

Ghaziabad: Wicketkeeper-batsman Eklavya Dwivedi stood out with a calculated century as Uttar Pradesh took a massive 205-run first-innings lead over Services in their Group B Ranji Trophy match here on Saturday.

At stumps on the second day, Services were 19 for no loss in their second innings, still 186 runs behind. Dwivedi struck 131 off 195 balls, hitting nine fours and three sixes during his four-hour vigil at the Mohan Meakins Cricket Stadium. He was also involved in an invaluable stand of 106 runs for the eighth wicket with Amit Mishra (46), before the last-wicket pair of Imtiaz Ahmed (18 not out) and R P Singh (13) added another 30 runs. Having bundled out the visitors for 164 in their first innings, Uttar Pradesh started the day at overnight 86 for three with opener Digvijay Singh (36) and Parvinder Singh (9) in the middle. Digvijay was dismissed after scoring 78 off 199 balls, an innings laced with seven hits to the fence. Mishra faced 77 balls and hit three fours. Joining Dwivedi at the fall of Ali Murtuza`s wicket at 224/7, Mishra played the perfect foil to the more established 25-year-old batsman and gradually almost batted Services of the match. For Services, Nishan Singh, Shadab Nazar and Pratik Desai picked up three wickets each. At the close of play, Services` Pratik Desai and Anshul Gupta were batting on 10 and nine respectively, and they will have a difficult task of erasing the deficit and then set the hosts a target. Brief scores: Services: 164 all out and 19 for no loss Uttar Pradesh 1st innings: 369 all out (Dwivedi 131, Digvijay 78, Mishra 46; Nishan Singh 3/70, Shadab Nazar 3/85, Pratik Desai 3/51).