Ranji Trophy: Bharath's ton puts Andhra in driver's seat against Gujarat

Vizianagaram: Opener Srikar Bharath struck a fine unbeaten century to guide Andhra to a comfortable position against Gujarat on the second day of their Group B Ranji Trophy cricket match, here on Friday.

Bharath remained unbeaten on 119 off 176 balls as Andhra were comfortably placed at 196 for one in 53 overs in reply to Gujarat's first innings total of 308.

Bharath decorated his innings with 18 hits to the fence and one over it. At stumps, skipper Mohammad Kaif was the other not out batsman on 44.

It should be walk in the park for Andhra to take the first innings lead as they trail Gujarat by just 112 runs with nine wickets in hand.

Rush Kalaria picked up the lone Andhra wicket to fall in the form Prasanth Kumar (12).

Earlier, Gujarat added just 58 runs to their overnight score of 250 for five before being bowled out for 308.

Once overnight batsmen Rujul Bhatt (36) and Niraj Patel (30) departed, Andhra bowlers ran through Gujarat's tail.

Skipper Parthiv Patel was the top-scorer for Gujarat with a 176-ball 122.

For Andhra, pace trio of Duvvarapu Siva Kumar (3/44), Paidikalva Vijaykumar (3/61) and Cheepurapalli Stephen (3/99) shared nine wickets between them.

Brief Scores:

Gujarat 1st innings: 308 all out in 100.3 overs (Parthiv Patel 122; Duvvarapu Siva Kumar 3/44, Paidikalva Vijaykumar 3/61, Cheepurapalli Stephen 3/99).

Andhra 1st innings: 196 for one in 53 overs (S rikar Bharath 119 not out; Rush Kalaria 1/37).