Bharath's double puts Karnataka in driver's seat

BANGALORE: KN Bharath cracked a double hundred as Karnataka extended their first innings lead on the third day of their four-day U-19 Cooch Behar quarterfinal tie against Uttar Pradesh at the M Chinnaswamy stadium here on Tuesday.
In reply to UP's first innings total of 211, hosts Karnataka posted a massive 506 for a lead of 295 runs on the penultimate day.
Bharath was involved in two useful partnerships that ensured Karnataka finished their innings on a high note.
Bharath stitched a brilliant fifth-wicket stand of 200 runs off 340 balls with his overnight batting partner Kranthi Kumar and followed it up with an 122-ball 70-run partnership with Raunak Shah.
Bharath's brilliant double hundred 200 off 274 balls was studded with 22 boundaries and two sixes. He added 78 runs to his overnight score of 122, before he was trapped for a leg before by left-arm spinner Almas Shaukat.
His overnight batting partner, Kranthi Kumar, too came in good with a splendid 72.
Nafees Ansari, Kuldeep Yadav and Shaukat claimed three wickets each for the visitors.
UP were 67 for no loss at close with Shaukat (26) and Md Saif (38) holding the fort.
Brief scores: Uttar Pradesh: 211 all out in 76.4 overs & 67 for no loss (Alimas Shaukat 26, Md Saif 38) vs Karnataka: 288/4 in 99 overs (Abhinav Manohar 39, Shreyas Gopal 36, KN Bharath 200, Kranthi Kumar 72, Pradeep T 31; Nafees Ansari 3-100, Kuldeep Yadav 3-162, Almas Shaukat 3-20).