Youngsters Vats and Sindhu lead Haryana into quarterfinals

Parth Vats, the 20-year-old legspin allrounder whom Haryana picked over Yuzvendra Chahal in their squad, starred with bat and ball in a 72-run win against Bengal that took them into the quarterfinals of the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

In his maiden List A season, Vats helped Haryana rebuild their innings from 98 for 3 in the 17th over. He scored 62 off 77 balls and put on 84 for the fourth wicket with Nishant Sindhu, another 20-year-old allrounder who scored 64 and also contributed with the ball.

Vital contributions from the lower order - an unbeaten 32-ball 41 from Sumit Kumar and 29 from Rahul Tewatia - powered Haryana to 298 for 9.

Mohammed Shami, who is in line for an India comeback if he can maintain fitness, was wayward in his first spell for Bengal, conceding 27 in three overs without a wicket. He came back strong to finish with 3 for 61 in ten overs, with two wickets at the death as Haryana were aiming to accelerate.

Another player of interest from a national team perspective, Abhimanyu Easwaran, was key to Bengal's chase. With openers Sudip Gharami and Abishek Porel putting on 70 in 12.5 overs for the first wicket, Abhimanyu had the opportunity to steer Bengal's innings, but the rustiness of having spent two months on India's Test bench in Australia showed.

Having survived a close stumping appeal, Abhimanyu attempted to break free with a succession of reverse sweeps. Eventually, the pressure of not being able to score fluently got to him, and he was out attempting a slog sweep against mystery spinner Amit Rana.

Porel kept Bengal alive with a half-century but played conservatively for large parts of his 57 off 78 balls. His dismissal exposed Bengal's brittle middle order in the 28th over and Vats dismissed Anustup Majumdar, Karan Lal and Shami to help Haryana wrap up the chase for 226 in 43.1 overs.

Haryana play their quarterfinal against Gujarat in Vadodara on January 12.