Gambhir's knock helps Rest cruise to nine-wicket win over UP

Nagpur, Oct 11 (UNI) Gautam Gambhir's run-a-ball 64 helped Rest of India (RoI) complete formalities and cruise to a nine-wicket win over Uttar Pradesh in their Irani Trophy match here today.

Chasing a target of 114 for victory, RoI completed the task in 67 minutes, scoring 115 for one this morning.

Captain Wasim Jaffer, who was batting on 25 when stumps were drawn yesterday, did not take to the ground today because of an injury.

Gambhir, in his 109-minute innings, enthralled by hitting 11 boundaries.

Robin Uthappa, who came in instead of Jaffer, supported him from the other end, crawling to 18 in 56 minutes and facing 34 balls before being dismissed by Praveen Kumar.

RoI had paved the way for their victory yesterday itself, winding up the UP second innings for 166 in 245 minutes after taking a lead of 65 runs. Set a target of 114 for victory, RoI were comfortably placed at 45 for no loss at the end of the second day's play. As expected, the victory today turned out to be a mere formality.

The game saw 31 wickets falling for 630 runs, including 17 on the first day and 13 on the second.

Scoreboard: UP first innings: 148 all out in 46 overs.

RoI first innings: 201 all out in 53.3 overs.

UP second innings: 166 all out in 50.1 overs.

RoI second innings (resuming at 45 for no loss overnight): Wasim Jaffer retired hurt 25 Gautam Gambhir not out 64 Robin Uthappa c Avinash Yadav b Kumar 18 Venugopal Rao not out 02 Extras (2 lb, 4 nb) 06 Total for one wicket in 22.3 overs 115 FOW: 1/105 Bowling: Shalab Srivastava: 9-1-52-0 Praveen Kumar: 11-1-50-1 Ashish Zaidi: 2.3-0-11-0.

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