Rajasthan bag three points from MP match

Rajasthan grabbed three crucial points, courtesy the first innings lead, after their Ranji Trophy match against Madhya Pradesh ended in a draw at the KL Saini ground, in Jaipur, on Tuesday.

Rajasthan had taken a first innings lead of 123 runs after posting 379 in response to Madhya Pradesh's 256.

The visitors declared their second essay at 466 for 6 and then reduced the hosts to 88 for four by stumps on the fourth and final day.

Resuming their second innings at the overnight score of 200 for 1, Madhya Pradesh saw their second wicket fall in the seventh over of the day when SD Choudhary was dismissed at 34 after adding just one more run on Tuesday.

Naman Ojha, who was unbeaten on 102 on Day 3, was the next to go, Rituraj Singh having him caught by Vineet Saxena.

MP skipper Devendra Bundela then scored a 65-ball 48, which included nine boundaries. Udit Birla produced a 76-ball 51, laced with six hits to the fence.

Lower-order batsmen Jalaj S Saxena (76) and Rameez Khan (54) then forged an unbeaten 145 run seventh wicket partnership, before MP declared at 466-6.

Saxena hit nine fours and two sixes, while Khan had 10 fours in his 104-ball innings.

Rajasthan then scored 88 for four by stumps.

Brief scores:

Madhya Pradesh: 256 & 466-6 in 129.0 overs (Jalaj S Saxena 76 not out; Pankaj Singh 2-94)

Rajasthan: 379 and 88 for four in 21 overs. (R Bisht 37, R Singh 33; J Saxena 2-25).