UP’s ‘final’ dream shattered in Merchant Trophy
LUCKNOW: Last year’s runners-up Uttar Pradesh’s dream of making it to the final of the Under-16 Vijay Merchant Trophy was finally shattered on Tuesday as they conceded 137-run first innings lead to Haryana at Nadiad (Gujarat).
Needing 481 to take the lead, Uttar Pradesh could score 353 in 123.4 overs, losing their remaining two wickets in the first innings on Tuesday morning, at the Gokulbhai Somabhai Patel Stadium.
In reply, Haryana scored 255/4 in 76 overs in their second innings as the four-day match ended in a tame draw on Tuesday.
Captain Nishant Sindhu slammed an unbeaten 108, which came off 137 balls with the help of 19 fours, whereas Sarvesh Rohilla too struck an unbeaten 55 in 106 balls, which contained eight hits to the fence.
Anant Bhatanagr had 2/38, whereas Kunal Tyagi and Damandeep Singh shared two wickets between them. Earlier, resuming at the overnight score of 325/8, Uttar Pradesh’s struggle came to an end in 39 deliveries. Aaquib Khan made 36 in 43 balls.
Leading from the front skipper Sindhu bowled superbly to take 6/63, whereas Piyush Dahiya finished with 2/51. Vivek Kumar and Parth Vats shared two wickets between them.
NEEDING 481 TO TAKE THE LEAD, UTTAR PRADESH COULD SCORE 353 IN 123.4 OVERS, LOSING THEIR REMAINING TWO WICKETS IN THE FIRST INNINGS ON TUESDAY MORNING, AT THE GOKULBHAI SOMABHAI PATEL STADIUM
ANSH SHINES
Ansh Yadav’s superb half-century and his 62-run fifth wicket partnership with Sameer Choudhary helped table topper Uttar Pradesh take a crucial 69-run first innings lead against Vidarbha on the second day of their four-day under-19 Cooch Behar Trophy match at Muzzafarnagar on Tuesday.
Ansh struck 72 in 196 balls with the help of 10 fours as Uttar Pradesh after resuming at the overnight score of 101/2 scored 246 in 85 overs while chasing Vidarbha’s first innings total of 177.
Dhruv Chand Jurel made a useful contribution of 21 runs, but Sameer’s 52-ball 46, which contained nine hits to the fence made a big difference for the side, at the Choudhary Charan Singh Sports Stadium. He and Ansh stitched together 62-run for the fifth wicket.
Harsh Dubey remained the star performer for Vidarbha, bagging 6/89, whereas Tekan had 2/59. Vidarbha in reply, scored 109/2 at the end of day two. Opener Mandar Mahale (46) remained unbeaten, whereas A Mohkade struck 103-ball 52.