New Delhi, Dec 28 (IANS) Mumbai and Uttar Pradesh are virtually through to the semi-finals of the Ranji Trophy Super League while Bengal and Karnataka, too, enjoy first innings leads on the third day of their respective quarter-final matches.
At Vadodara, Uttar Pradesh were 285 for eight in their second innings after Tanmay Srivastava scored a patient 67 and skipper Mohammad Kaif struck a quick 46. For Gujarat, Monish Parmar picked up 4-93 but could not prevent Uttar Pradesh from taking a massive lead of 473 runs.
It is now unlikely for Gujarat to make a comeback into match and if the match ends in a draw then Uttar Pradesh would easily sail into the semi-final on the basis of their 188-run first innings lead.
Mumbai ended the third day enjoying a lead of 45 runs as Plate finalist Himachal Pradesh made 200 for five in the second innings at Ahmedabad. Paras Dogra was unbeaten on 82 and as the match enters the final day it looks like Mumbai will have the last laugh on the basis of their first innings lead of 145 runs.
For another Plate-finalist, Bengal, the situation is not so grim as they still have a chance to be among the last four. In Bangalore, Tamil Nadu recovered well to post 306 on board after a fighting 75 from S. Kumar and a resilient 47 from Lakshmipathy Balaji.
However, Bengal managed to steal a slender first innings lead of 39 runs which could prove crucial to get them a semi-final birth. At the close of third day's play Bengal were 134 for four as the match heads for a draw.
In the other match at Mumbai,Suarashtra while chasing a wi! nning ta rget of 325 were 10 for two in their second innings and have a tough task at hand on the final day. But if the match ends in a draw, Karnataka will make the grade as they bowled out Suarashtra for 189 runs in the first innings after scoring 305 in their first essay.
Brief scores:
At Ahmedabad: Himachal 250& 200 for five (Paras Dogra 82, Sangram Singh 58). Mumbai 495 (Wasim Jaffer 108, Rohit Sharma 98; V. Bhatia 3-154, J. Mehta 3-87).
At Vadodara: Uttar Pradesh 305 & 285 (Tanmay Srivastava 67, Mohammad Kaif 46, Monish Parmar 4-93). Gujarat 117(T. Patel 43 not out; Praveen Kumar 5-29).
At Mumbai: Karnataka 305 & 208 (B. Akhil 56, Rahul Dravid 52, S.P.Jobanputra 5-54, Ravindra Jadeja 4-58). Suarashtra 183 & 10/2 (R. Vin! ay Kumar 2-1).
At Bangalore: Bengal 345 & 134/4 (Lakshmi Ratan Shukla 43 not out, Manoj Tiwary 42, R.Ashwin 2-69). Tamil Nadu306( SS Kumar 75, Lakshmipathy Balaji 47 ; R. Kundu 2-54).
