Rinku Singh's unbeaten 118 keeps Uttar Pradesh alive against Goa in Ranji Trophy

Rinku Singh's unbeaten ton rescues Uttar Pradesh against Goa

Rinku Singh produced a stirring, unbeaten knock of 118 to drag Uttar Pradesh out of early trouble and to a fighting total of 202 on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group A encounter against Goa in Kanpur on Sunday.

Having opted to bat, Uttar Pradesh suffered a catastrophic start, slumping to 33 for three. Opener Abhishek Goswami fell for 5, Aryan Juyal made 14 and Karan Sharma was dismissed for a duck as Goa's bowlers struck at regular intervals.

Madhav Kaushik offered brief resistance with a 45 off 96 balls before becoming the wicket of Shubham Tari, leaving UP precarious at 90 for four. From there, it was the Rinku Singh show. With wickets tumbling at the other end and the lower order offering scant support, Singh held the innings together, steering his side past 200 and remaining unconquered at the close of an innings that spanned 71 overs.

Singh's innings was laced with 11 boundaries and two sixes, underlining both his control and his ability to counter-attack. The knock continued a rich vein of form for the batter, who had registered two successive first-class hundreds in the Ranji Trophy according to reporting dated October 18.

Goa's leg-spinner Yash Kasvankar was the pick of the bowlers, claiming five wickets for 86 runs in 25 overs. Ruthvik Naik chipped in with two wickets, while Tari and Lalit Yadav took one apiece.

Goa made a measured start in reply, reaching 43 without loss in 12 overs and trailing by 159 runs at stumps on day one. Wicketkeeper-batter Shivendra Bhujbal was unbeaten on 31 off 39 deliveries, with Suyash Prabhudessai on 12 at the close.