Lucknow: Riding on unbeaten centuries by Madhav Kaushik (124) and Rinku Singh (109), who added 202 runs for the fourth wicket, Uttar Pradesh took the honours, scoring 287/3 on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy clash against Bihar at Rajgir on Sunday.Bihar’s bowlers capitalised on the early moisture and overcast conditions on the fresh pitch. Pacer Amod Yadav gave Bihar the first breakthrough by dismissing Abhishek Goswami for 13. Goswami was caught by Bihar captain Sakibul Gani after adding 26 runs with Kaushik for the opening wicket.UP captain Aryan Juyal then tried to steady the innings, but off-spinner Suraj Kashyap dismissed him just before lunch. Juyal and Kaushik added 33 runs off 84 balls for the second wicket. After lunch, Kashyap struck again, trapping Karan Sharma lbw to leave UP at 85/3.Rinku then joined Kaushik and changed the momentum. As the batting conditions eased, he attacked the spinners and hit two sixes in an over bowled by Himanshu Singh. Kaushik played with composure at the other end and reached his half-century patiently. At tea, UP were 195/3. Resuming after tea, Kaushik brought up the fifth century of his first-class career, while Rinku completed his 10th first-class hundred. For Bihar, Suraj Kashyap and Amod Yadav were the only wicket-takers.Bihar left-arm pacer Mohammad Izhar and Uttar Pradesh pacer Abhinandan Singh made their first-class debuts. Bihar pacer Saqib Hussain missed the match due to injury. With leg-spinner Zeeshan Ansari returning to the side after a six-year absence, UP’s bowling line-up looks strong. The team will look to build a big total on the second day and give its bowlers enough time to dismiss Bihar twice and secure an outright victory.Speaking to TOI after the day’s play, Kaushik said, “It was a good day. I really enjoyed batting in partnership with Rinku. The wicket was challenging in the morning, there was some early moisture, and the outfield was quite big, so we had to work hard for our runs. Overall, it was an enjoyable first day.”On the plan for the second day, Kaushik said, “If we bat well again tomorrow, we have a good chance of winning the match outright. My effort will be to turn my century into a double century and help the team post a big total.”UP coach Gyanendra Pandey said, “It is the first match on this wicket, so it was a bit challenging and the ball was moving around. Rinku played a brilliant innings, and Madhav batted sensibly.”
