Deodhar: South Zone's batting ensures semifinal entry

With the top order in crackling form, South Zone proceeded to the semifinals of the Deodhar Trophy Tournament with an easy seven wicket win over East Zone at the Green Park stadium in Kanpur on Friday. South are now slated to take on North Zone in the semifinals at the same venue on Sunday.

It is never an easy task to chase a target of 274 but the South Zone openers J Arun Kumar (89) and AS Pathak (66) took the game away from their opponents by authouring a 160-run partnership which came in 30 overs. It was Debang Gandhi, coming on to bowl very late in the innings, who made the first inroads into the South Zone line up, with two quick wickets. Arun Kumar was the first to be dismissed caught by Sanjay Raul. Eight balls later, Pathak also departed, caught by Shiv Sundar Das.

Arun Kumar, during his 111-minute stay, faced 95 balls during which he essayed eight boundaries while managing to clear it twice. On the other hand, Pathak was in the middle for close to two hours and needed 93 balls for his 66. He found the signboards on seven occasions. Then VVS Laxman (32 not out) and S Sharath (11) came together to take the score to 190. Sharath after a brief stay returned to the pavilion, caught behind by Dhoni off Jai Chandra.

South Zone skipper Robin Singh entered at this stage. With another 88 runs to be scored in 13.3 overs, Robin Singh hammered an unbeaten 63 off 52 balls to take South Zone home.

Earlier opting to bat, East Zone's innings revolved around a fine 108 by Test discard Debang Gandhi. Coming in at the fall of opener Nikhil Haldipur (16), Gandhi forged a 79-run third wicket stand in 12.2 overs with RR Parida (26). The departure of Parida saw Rohan Gavaskar (58) join Gandhi and the two took the score to 233. With a 122-run fourth wicket partnership which came off only 19.3 overs, the two ensured that East Zone would pile up a fighting total. Gandhi, who faced 131 balls and hit 14 of them to the ropes was the fourth batsman to be dismissed. East Zone's total of 273 for seven in 50 overs was inflated by 40 extras.