VVS double ton, Quadri 100 no put Hyderabad in driver seat

Hyderabad, Nov 24 (UNI) Skipper VVS Laxman's stylish 224 and his 215-run partnership for the sixth wicket with centurian Ahmed Quadri put former National Champion Hyderabad on a mammoth 553 for six declared against Rajasthan at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium here in the Elite-A Ranji Trophy tournment today.

At the end of the second day, Rajasthan were 25 for no loss after eight overs with its openers-Vinjeet Saxena (13 not out) and Gagan Khoda (12 not out) amid dropping light.

The cynosure of the day was Laxman, whose stylish 360-ball knock off 224 sparkled the Hyderabad innings after a dismal beginning.

After departure of Arjun Yadav on the fourth ball of his overnight score of six, Laxman crossed his hundred and went on fluently for the big knock.

Hyderabad crossed 300 but soon lost the fifth wicket of Abhinav Kumar (20). Quadri joined Laxman at 304 for five two Hyderabad batsmen were in the midst of runs with a scoreboard moving with a rapid pace.

At 519, Laxman was caught by his rival skipper Venugopalrao when he tried to force the pace against Mathur. His marathon 584 minutes stay was embellished with 21 classy four and Hyderabad was sitting pretty.

Laxman allowed Quadri complete to his century in the next five overs before he declared the innings at 553 for six. Quadri stood up brilliantely to skippers expectation getting his unbeaten 100 off 198 balls in 252 minutes with seven fours.

Rajasthan, with a huge target to chase, started cautiously and were 25 without loss at the end of the day two of the four day match here.

MORE UNI XR/DB AKM PY UCS2152