Bihar, on the basis of their first innings lead of 140 runs, entered
the final of the Cooch Behar Trophy (under-19) tournament at the
Keenan stadium in Jamshedpur on Tuesday. Delhi, who were 115 for two
in reply to Bihar's first innings total of 398, were all out for
258. In the remaining time, Bihar scored 56 for the loss of two
wickets.
Delhi were in the running when they were 226 for five but they lost
their last five wickets for 32 runs. The overnight batsmen G Gambhir
and P Chawla continued to bat confidently and took their third wicket
association to 116 runs off 35.2 overs. Chawla was then out for 56 for
which he faced 111 balls and hit nine fours. Gambhir was fourth out at
159 for 81. He faced 18 balls and hit 13 fours. A fifth wicket fell at
163 but then Delhi's hopes were raised by a sixth wicket partnership
of 63 runs from 33 overs between skipper R Gupta and V Razdan
(35). However, once Razdan fell, the tail offered little
resistance. But Gupta however stood firm and was unbeaten with 57 when
the innings came to an end. He faced 175 balls and had four hits to
the ropes. Diwakar and Vikash Kumar took four wickets each. The rest
of the match was a formality.
Bihar will now meet Punjab in the three day final commencing on
December 16.