Kush ton powers UT victory over Rajasthan
Dipender Kush posted an unbeaten ton to help Chandigarh record a three-wicket win over Rajasthan at the U-23 One Day Tournament in Thiruvananthapuram. Kush scored 100 off 138 balls as Chandigarh achieved 253-run target in 50 overs.
Chandigarh skipper Akshit Rana won the toss and put Rajasthan to bat. The side lost their first three wickets for 16, as they struggled to maintain the three-run per over run rate for the first 25 overs. However, the side got a major boost as Ayush Ameriya came up with a 106 off 137 balls, with nine boundaries and three sixes. M Choudhary (38), Karan Lamba (30), Sachin Kakodia (27) and Vishal Goadara (26) were the other notable scorers for the side.
The side posted 253/9 in the allotted 50 overs. Neel (4/70) was the most successful bowler while Jaskirat Singh (2/37), Ivraj Ranauta (2/42) also shared wickets along with Devang Kaushik (1/24).
In reply, Chandigarh got off to a poor start against opposition bowler Mahendra Mahla (3/51), as they were down to 46/4. However, Kush rescued the team with a 47-run partnership with Akshit Rana (29 off 35 balls). Kush then raised another important partnership of 84 runs with Abhishek Singh, as the duo took the team to 177.
Abhishek returned to the pavilion after scoring 45 off 49 balls, with five boundaries. Thereafter, a 35-run partnership between Kush and Neel took the team closer to the target. While Neel (14) failed to stay long at the crease, Jaskirat Singh took the match to the last ball by smashing a quick fire 29 off 18 balls off three boundaries and one six.
Kush hit the winning shot on the last ball and also completed 100 off 138 balls, with the help of seven boundaries and one six. The team’s next match will be against Assam on December 21.
Punjab log win
Salil Arora scored 77 off 95 balls, with five boundaries and one six, and skipper Uday Sharan posted 68 of 88 balls, with nine boundaries, to help Punjab log a two-wicket win over Maharashtra. Batting first, Maharashtra posted 283 in the allotted 50 overs, and in reply, Punjab achieved the target in 48.5 overs.
Meanwhile, Punjab bagged a maximum of points from a draw against Chandigarh, during the Vijay Merchant Trophy. Batting first, Chandigarh scored 158 in their first innings and the Punjab lads replied by scoring 240. In the second innings, Chandigarh posted 254/8 before declaring their innings in 89 overs.
Skipper Daksh Kahsyap (77 off 124 balls) and Akul Bhanot (44 off 79 balls) were the main scorers for the side. The duo raised a 76-run partnership for the 6th wicket. In reply, the Punjab lads were playing at 61 for no loss at the draw of the stumps.
