Rathour leads India Pistons into semi-finals
Led by a breezy knock by skipper Vikram Rathour, India Pistons pulled off a sensational two wicket victory over Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) XI in the Coromandel Cement Cup quarterfinal at the Gangothri Glades ground in Mysore on Tuesday
Staff Reporter
07-Aug-2001
Led by a breezy knock by skipper Vikram Rathour, India Pistons pulled
off a sensational two wicket victory over Hyderabad Cricket
Association (HCA) XI in the Coromandel Cement Cup quarterfinal at the
Gangothri Glades ground in Mysore on Tuesday. Having conceded a
sizable first innings lead of 89, the Chennai side managed a dramatic
turnaround, bundling out HCA XI for just 128 in 35.5 overs. Chasing
218 for victory, India Pistons scraped home with just two deliveries
to spare.
HCA XI began day three with the score on 30/3. Despite the loss of
wickets, the side from Hyderabad looked well placed, thanks to their
first innings lead. The 21-year-old Punjab mediumpacer Vineet Sharma
had different ideas. Taking 5/41 off 15 overs, Sharma reduced the HCA
XI innings to shambles. Wickets tumbled at regular intervals with
Anirudh Singh (26) being the top scorer.
Chasing a challenging 217 off 40 overs, India Pistons began well with
Rathour and Anand George putting up the 50 partnership for the first
wicket off just 51 balls. Despite the fall of George's wicket with the
score on 68, Rathour continued on his merry way. Hemant Kumar (21) and
S Mahesh (30) batted well around their skipper. Rathour's 89 (85
balls, 7 fours) set up the platform for the victory which eventually
came amidst much excitement. Narendra Pal Singh and Mohammed Ghouse
picked three wickets each but were not able to deny India Pistons
victory.
At the Central college ground in Bangalore, BPL Sports Club conceded
the match after Chemplast took the first innings lead.
Replying to BPL's 278, Chemplast resumed at 163 for three. Overnight
not out batsmen Jacob Martin and Ajay Kudua were concerned in a 112-
run partnership for the fourth wicket off 30 overs before the latter
was out for 68. Kudua faced 90 balls and hit ten of them to the ropes.
Martin was fifth out at 210 for a well compiled 87 for which he batted
three hours. He faced 154 balls and had nine boundary hits. Ganesh
Kumar (4) did not last long and at 217 for six, the game had reached a
decisive stage. However J Hariesh (30) and R Ramkumar (47) steered
Chemplast to the all important lead with an unbroken seventh wicket
partnership of 67 runs off 12.2 overs. Ramkumar who had taken seven
wickets followed this up by hitting six fours and a six in his bright
knock which came up off only 33 balls. Chemplast were 284 for six off
80 overs when BPL conceded the game. The day's play started only at
12.30 due to wet conditions following overnight rain.
With rain washing out play on the last day at the RSI ground in
Bangalore, Roofit XI entered the semifinals, getting the better of
KSCA Colts on the first innings lead. At stumps on the second day,
Roofit had made 307 for three in 77 overs in reply to KSCA Colts' 206.
Play was called off at 12.45 due to wet conditions caused by overnight
rain.
Rain also ruled out any play on the final day of the quarterfinal
between KSCA XI and Oil & Natural Gas Corporation at the Maharaja
Jayachamarajendra Wodeyar Sports Complex in Bangalore. However, KSCA
by virtue of their first innings lead, moved into the last four stage.
Play was called off at 12.30 due to wet conditions caused by overnight
rain. KSCA had scored 211 and then dismissed ONGC for 136 in the first
innings. In their second innings at stumps on the second day, KSCA
were 33 for one.
In the three day semifinals which commence on Thursday, India Pistons
will meet Roofit XI while KSCA XI play Chemplast.