Mumbai: Young left-handed batsman Bavanaka Sandeep scored a brilliant unbeaten double century to help Hyderabad post a mammoth 580 for 9 declared on the second day of their Group ‘C’ Ranji Trophy match against Services here on Monday.
Resuming on 303 for 7 at the Bandra Kurla Complex Ground, Sandeep and another left-handed batsman C.V. Milind, who also hit a blistering 136, made the Services bowlers toil hard as they added over 120 runs at a brisk pace till lunch.
Sandeep, who resumed at his overnight score of 83, swiftly moved into the 90s. He was lucky when he edged on 95, but the ball went through wicket-keeper Nakul Verma and the first slip. He eventually remained unbeaten on 203.
Milind, on the other hand, got two ‘lives’ when he was dropped at first slip on 61 and 62. The duo paced their innings well and took the bowlers to task, playing a variety of shots, including back-foot punches and late cuts, to stitch a 267-run-stand for the eighth wicket.
Milind brought up his ton with a towering six over long-on. He made 136 off 208 balls with 18 boundaries and three sixes before being caught by Vikas Hathwala at short-fine leg off Aanshul Gupta.
Sandeep completed his double century with a couple of boundaries soon after tea. His marathon innings was punctuated with 22 fours and three sixes.
