Siddharth slams ton

 KV Siddharth slammed a century as Combined XI gained the vital first innings lead in their drawn Safi Darashah Trophy encounter against Vice President’s XI at the IAF grounds here on Saturday.

Resuming on the overnight score of 54/3 after having dismissed Vice Presidents for 283 on the opening day, Combined managed to post 308 all out in 80.3 overs. Siddharth was the hero for Combined, scoring a patient 220-ball 116, a knock that featured 13 boundaries.

Naveen MG contributed well too, scoring 59, while Anurag Bajpai and Abrar Kazi hit 40 and 34 respectively.

For Vice Presidents, the efforts of Karnataka skipper R Vinay Kumar (4/68) and Bhavesh Gulechha (5/83) went in vain.

In the other match, Bangalore Zone rode on a complete team effort to take three points against President’s XI.

Arjun Hoysala (65), Shishir Bhavane (54), Liyan Khan (82) and Rohith Gowda (70 n.o.) all slammed half-centuries as Bangalore Zone posted 352/5 in reply to Presidents 293 all out.

Brief scores: At IAF: Vice President’s XI: 283 all out in 82.1 overs and 38/2 in 14 overs drew Combined XI: 308 all out in 80.3 (KV Siddharth 116, Anurag Bajpai 40, Abrar Kazi 34, Naveen MG 59; R Vinay Kumar 4-68, Bhavesh Gulechha 5-83). Combined XI: 3 points; Vice President’s XI: 1 point.

At RSI: President’s XI: 293 all out in 74.4 overs and 37/1 in 18 overs drew with Bangalore Zone: 352/5 in 90 overs (Arjun Hoysala 65, Shishir Bhavane 54, Liyan Khan 82, Rohith Gowda 70 n.o.; Gowtham K 2-64). Bangalore Zone: 3; President’s XI: 1.