Delhi, UP in semis, tons by Tejashri, Anshul, Yogesh

Chennai, Jan 4 (UNI) Delhi, by virtue of their first innings lead of 86 runs over Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh, with their 84-run lead against Gujarat, entered the semi-finals of the Under-17 cricket championship for the Vijay Merchant trophy here today.

Resuming their first innings at the overnight score of 87 for one in reply to Bengal's 350, Delhi, inspired by century knocks by Tejashri Prasad Yadav (125, 126 balls, 13 fours, four sixes), Anshul Gupta (100, 266 balls, 13 fours, one sixe) and Yogesh Nagar (101, 14 balls, 12 fours) hit up a massive 436, losing six wickets in 135.2 overs. Yogesh and Yadav added 146 runs for the fifth wicket off 137 balls.

In another quarter-final match, Uttar Pradesh, resuming their second innings at the overnight score of 168-6 after bowling out Gujarat for 129, declared their innings closed at 304 for 7 off 122 overs.

Bhuvanesh Kumar scored an unbeaten 50 (173 balls, five fours), while overnight batsman Md Khalid made 48 (120 balls, seven fours).

Khalid and Bhuvanesh added 66 runs for the seventh wicket off 29.1 overs. Off Spinner J Karia, claimed three wickets for 75 runs for Gujarat.

Gujarat, up against an impossible target of 389, scored 145, losing three wickets with opener P Panchal scoring 92 runs (96 balls, 13 fours, one six). He put on 62 runs for the first wicket with Krishnakumar (17) for the first wicket in 17.2 overs. Leg Spinner Md Khalid, who had a good bag in Gujarat's first innings, claimed 3-59.

The first innings lead saw UP through to the last four stage.

While Delhi will take on Mumbai on January five, UP will take on Punjab the next day, in the semis.

Meanwhile, heavy security was posted at the ground, where Delhi played Bengal, with Tejashri Prasad Yadav, son of Union Railway minister Laloo Prasad Yadav, was representing Delhi. His century attracted attention for this reason as well.

Brief Scores: Bengal 350, Delhi 436-6 (Saurab Passi 65, Anshul Gupta 100, Tejashri Prasad Yadav 125, Yogesh Nagar 101).

Uttar Pradesh 213 and 304-7 decl (Bhuvaneshkumar 50 not out, Md Khalid 48, J Karia 3-75), Gujarat 129 and 145-3 ( P Panchal 92, Md Khalid 3-59).

UNI