Rest of India win Irani Trophy

Rest of India completed an emphatic nine-wicket victory over Ranji Trophy champions Uttar Pradesh on the third day of the Irani Trophy match at Vidarbha Cricket Association ground in Nagpur on Wednesday.

Rest, who required 114 for victory at the start of the third day, completed formalities and claimed their 18th triumph in the tournament with more than two days to spare.

Gautam Gambhir, unbeaten on 64, Robin Uttappha (18), and Venugopal Rao (2 not out) ensured Rest's victory in 68 minutes, after resuming at 45 for no loss on Wednesday morning.

Overnight batsman Wasim Jaffer did not resume his innings in the morning due to a stomach injury he sustained after being hit by a delivery from pacer Praveen Kumar on Tuesday evening.

The only wicket to fall was that of Robin Uttappa, who held out to Avinash Yadav off Praveen Kumar.

Gambhir looked in fine nick, executing three consecutive boundaries off pacemen S Srivastava and eventually settled down to see his side through to victory.

Sudhir Dabir, vice-president VCA, presented the Irani Trophy to Rest of India skipper Jaffer.

Brief scores:

Uttar Pradesh: 148 and 166

Rest of India: 201 and 115 for 1 in 22.3 overs (Gautam Gambhir 64 not out, Venugopal Rao not out 2, Robin Utthappa 15; Praveen Kumar 1/50).