Suresh Raina ton gives UP control on Day 3 in Ranji Trophy

Kanpur: Skipper Suresh Raina smashed an unbeaten 145 as Uttar Pradesh declared their second innings on 273 for five to gain complete control against Tamil Nadu on Day 3 of the Group B Ranji Tropphy cricket match here.

Chasing a mammoth 391 to win the four-day encounter at the Green Park, Tamil Nadu were 5 for no loss at stumps with skipper Abhinav Mukund (3 batting) and Baba Aparajith (0 batting).

After bundling out the visitors for 231, the UP top-order got down to business right away with opener Almas Shaukat (75) and Raina stitching up a 138-run second-wicket partnership.

The left-hander went on score his 14th first-class century and stayed a the crease for 138 balls, his innings laced with 9 fours and 6 sixes.

Looking to notch up an outright win, Raina declared the innings and invited the visitors to bat in the dying moments of the day in a hope to get an early breakthrough.

Earlier starting the day on 174 for six in reply to the home team's score of 348, Tamil Nadu lower-order could not last long though No.9 batsman Malolan Rangarajan scored a gutsy 45. Vijay Shankar remained the top-scorer with 92 ruyns.

UP pace spearhead Praveen Kumar was the wrecker-in-chief with a four-wicket haul, while medium-pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar and left-arm spinner Suarabh Kumar bagged two wickets apiece.

Brief Scores:

Uttar Pradesh 348 and 273/5 dec (Suresh Raina 145 not out, Almas Shaukat 75; Baba Aparajith 2-73)

Tamil Nadu 231 and 5/0 in 8 overs (Abhinav Mukund 3 batting, Baba Aparajith 0 batting; Bhuvneshwar Kumar 0-4).