Srivastava, Shukla prop up Uttar Pradesh in Ranji final

MUMBAI, January 16: Opener Tanmay Srivastava cracked a strokeful hundred while Ravikant Shukla remained unbeaten with a stubborn 80 as Uttar Pradesh scored up 292 for seven on the first day of the five-day Ranji Trophy final against Delhi on Wednesday.
After being put in to bat, UP struggled initially but were propped up by a superb knock of 105 by left-handed India under-19 player Srivastava, who returned to the country midway through the national colts' tour of South Africa to play in the summit clash.
Srivastava struck 13 fours and a six in his 174-ball essay to help UP negotiate the early life in the pitch while adding an invaluable 101 runs for the fourth wicket with Shukla, who batted sensibly to remain unconquered at stumps with Bhuvanesh Kumar (6).
Srivastava and Shukla's judicious approach helped UP make light of the cheap dismissals of their captain Mohammed Kaif (16) and other star batsman Suresh Raina (16) before lunch.
Shukla, who was let off by Delhi 'keeper Puneet Bisht off Narwal when on 57, hit eight fours in his 190-ball knock.
For Delhi, medium pacer Sumit Narwal and fast medium left-arm bowler Pradeep Sangwan captured three wickets each.
UP started their innings in the morning on a shaky note when Rohit Srivastava was trapped leg before by Narwal who used the conditions well to move the ball either way.
Srivastava was, however, batting positively and carried the score from 21 to 60 with Raina when Sangwan trapped the latter in front.
With lunch approaching, Kaif played a loose square cut off the first ball from leg spinner Chetanya Nanda and was caught in the slips before the morning session was adjourned for the interval at 102 for three.
Srivastava and Shukla denied Delhi further success after the break and the former surged to his hundred, which came off in 172 balls, in spectacular style with a pulled six off Nanda before departing two balls later.
The opener tried to slash Sangwan over the slip cordon but was caught by Shikhar Dhawan - a two-handed attempt above his head - to leave UP at 200 for four.
Delhi bowlers, perked up at the break of the fourth wicket stand, sent back Piyush Chawla, wicket keeper Amir Khan and all-rounder Praveen Kumar at regular intervals with Narwal accounting for two of the three wickets.