Pandey slams double ton as SZ call shots

Mukund provides support with century; Central bowlers struggle

The foundation of the South innings was based on a 174-run third wicket partnership between Pandey and his former India colts colleague Abhinav Mukund (105, 146b, 21x4) after the hosts were in a spot of bother at 56 for two having lost Indian Premier League’s second highest priced player Robin Uthappa and skipper Subramaniam Badrinath.

Both Pandey, who hit 19 boundaries and seven sixes in only 191 deliveries and Mukund were severe on Central bowlers clobbering them for 174 runs in less than 30 overs.
Pandey was especially severe on little-known Vidarbha off-break bowler Akshay Wakhare, who went for 114 runs in 21 overs.

Finally, Rudra Pratap Singh dismissed Mukund caught by Central skipper Hrishikesh Kanitkar. Pandey, however, went from strength to strength as he scored his maiden double century in first-class cricket surpassing his previous best of 194.

Pandey also shared couple of crucial partnerships -- 64 runs for the fourth wicket with India discard Dinesh Karthik (37) and 53 for the fifth wicket with statemate Amit Verma (19).
Save Pandey and Mukund none of the other South batsmen stayed at the crease for long which could have further consolidated their position in the match.

Score board

South Zone: Abhinav Mukund c Kanitkar b RP Singh 105, Robin Uthappa c Ojha b RP Singh 1, Subramianiam Badrinath 13, Manish Pandey (not out) 203, Dinesh Kaarthick c Ojha b Yadav 37, Amit Verma c Ojha b Wakhare 19, CM Gautam c RP Singh b Pankaj Singh 0, Vinay Kumar b Pankaj Singh 5, Abhimanyu Mithun c Ojha b Yadav 28. Extras (B-2, LB-2, W-1) 5. Total (for 8 wkts, 89.2 overs) 416.
Fall of wickets: 1-15, 2-56, 3-230, 4-294, 5-347, 6-350, 7-372, 8-416.
Bowling: Rudra Pratap Singh 23-3-98-2, Pankaj Singh 22-2-85-2, Umesh Yadav 20.2-3-85-2, Akshay Wakhare 21-2-114-1, Devendra Bundela 3-0-30-0.