Akul shines as city lads claim lead
A fine batting performance by skipper Akul Bhanot helped Chandigarh lads to gain a 131-run lead against the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association on the opening day of the 4th Balramji Das Memorial U-16 Cricket Tournament at the Tau Devi Lal Stadium, Panchkula.
Ranvir Ahuja (5/4) and Abhay Gulia (4/10) also pushed Chandigarh to have a strong grip over the match. After winning the toss, Bhanot opted to bat and the side posted 167 in their first innings. Bhanot scored 50, followed by Anurag Budhwar (26), Suraj (25), Abhay Gulia (22) and Daksh Kashyap (21).
In reply, the Himachal team was bundled out for 36 runs. Varun Thakur (17) was the only batsman to reach the double figure. Ahuja returned with a five-wicket haul, while Gulia grabbed four wickets. In the second innings, Chandigarh lads were 56/1 at the draw of stumps.
