MUKUND CENTURY POWERS TNCA PRESIDENT’S XI TO WIN
Chase masters TNCA President’s XI pulled off a stunning four- wicket win over Hyderabad to lift the Kalpathi AGS- Buchi Babu all- India invitation cricket tournament at the SSN College grounds on Sunday. Starting the day with 404 runs required in 100 overs, TNCA President’s XI opening batsman Abhinav Mukund played the match- winning innings as he scored 147 in 224 balls with 16 fours and a six.
The new Mr Dependable of TN cricket and the skipper of TNCA President’s XI R. Prasanna, struck an unbeaten 66 to guide his young team to victory with eight balls to spare.
Mukund, who bagged the man of the tourna- ment award, featured in two century partnerships. He first added 101 runs in 29.4 overs with fellow opener K. Bharath Shankar ( 37) and later stitched a decisive 162 runs for the third wicket with the ever improving all- rounder M. Shahrukh Khan, who once again delivered under pressure scoring 67.
With Hyderabad legspinner Akash Bhandari ( 5/ 149) picking up wickets at regular intervals, the hosts were reduced to 295/ 5 in 78.4 overs. The onus was on southpaw Prasanna and U. Sushil ( 38) to take their side over the finish line and the duo did so, courtesy a 92- run stand for the sixth wicket in 19.4 overs.
SCORES Hyderabad 403/ 6 in 100 overs lost to TNCA President’s XI 406/ 6 in 98.4 overs ( Abhinav Mukund 147, R. Prasanna 66*, M Shahrukh Khan 67, K Bharath Shankar 37, U. Sushil 38, Akash Bhandari 5/ 149). Player of the tournament: Abhinav Mukund