Coromandel Cement Cup Semi finals

A star studded Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) XI posted a strong total of 365/9 off their allotted 90 overs. On winning the toss, KSCA XI skipper Anil Kumble promptly elected to bat first. While youngsters Mithun Beerala (23) and Barrington Rowland (29) posted an opening partnership of 48 for the first wicket, it was India discard Vijay Bharadwaj who stole the limelight with a mammoth 158.

Overshadowing every other batsman, Bharadwaj struck 12 boundaries and 4 sixes in his patient knock. Spending over four hours at the wicket Bharadwaj faced 245 balls in his stay at the crease. On the back of Bharadwaj's innings, the KSCA XI amassed a huge 365/9 off 90 overs. It must be said that the KSCA XI are in an extremely strong position with internationals like Sunil Joshi, Anil Kumble and David Johnson to do the bowling tomorrow.

The Coromandel Cup semi-final clash between India Pistons XI and Roofit XI at Bangalore saw the side from Chennai take the honours on the opening day. After winning the toss and electing to bat first, the India Pistons side notched up 295 in their 84.5 overs. In response Roofit were 21/0 off four overs when the day's play ended.

Earlier in the day, the opening pair of Vasanth Kumar and Vikram Rathour got India Pistons off to a rollicking start. The pair put up a partnership of 111 runs at the top of the order before Vasanth Kumar (58 runs, 91 balls, 7 fours) was dismissed. The skipper went on to top score, making 75 from 132 balls with 8 boundaries and a six. R Sathish (39) and S Mahesh (37) propped up the innings in the middle order and the India Pistons side made it to 295 before being all out in 84.5 overs. Anand Yalvigi with 3/38 was the most successful of the Roofit bowlers. In response, the Roofit openers both remained unbeaten and took the score to 21/0 in four overs.