Mon, 10 Oct 2011 - India Blue vs India Red, Challenger Trophy 2011-12, 1st Match - Bulletin

Mukund, Saha shine in Red win

Abhinav Mukund boosted his chances of representing India in the limited overs format with an under pressure century in the first match of the Challenger Trophy, powering India Red to a five wicket win over India Blue. The latter put up a decent 274 on the board but Mukund and Wridhhiman Saha added 147 runs for the fifth wicket to take the side over the line.

The India Red did not have a great start as they lost both their openers cheaply, Shikhar Dhawan fell into the trap by hitting a back of length delivery from Irfan Pathan straight into the hands of short-point fielder who was precisely stationed for this reason. The first wicket jolt became worse as skipper Gautam Gambhir was beaten by a hint of in-swing from Pradeep Sangwan as the ball cannoned into the stumps after taking an inside edge. The core card read 15 for 2 after 1.4 overs, Reds were in trouble and in dire need of a steadying stand.

At this point, Hard-hitting batsman Yousuf Pathan made his way into the middle, negotiated few deliveries before coming into his own. He crashed four boundaries but Sangwan had him caught while attempting another hoick for 22. At 45 for three, things did not look too bright for India Red, however they still had gas left in the tank.

Abhinav Mukund at no. 3 took his time against the new balls (one from each end) which did a little bit under the lights.He got off the mark after facing nine deliveries but soon found his rhythm to rotate the strike. He also found a partner in the form of Ashok Menaria, and the duo set about rebuilding the chase. They added 71 crucial runs to get the chase back on track.

Maneria, though was unlucky to be dismissed due to a freakish dismissal, that allowed Wriddhiman Saha to partner Mukund who by now was looking good for a big score. The two rotated the strike through singles and doubles, more importantly did not let any bad ball go unpunished. Mukund was very good down the ground while as Saha used the nudges and sweeps to good effect.

Their stand was worth a match winning 147 in 26.1 overs, ultimately helping India Reds to overhaul the target with 15 balls to pare. Mukund fell after a brilliant 127 while as Saha remained unbeaten on 65.

The India Blue were helped by a string of steady knocks from their top order before a late surge powered them to a competitive total of 274 for 8 on a good batting track. The Captain S. Badrinath led from the front, top scoring with 56 while as Mandeep Singh’s brisk fifty at the end ensured that India Red had to bat well to pocket the match.

After being asked to bat, India Blue openers got the innings off to a good start, Paul Valthaty employed aerial shots to provide some early momentum. RP Singh who would have hoped for a better show was clobbered for three boundaries in one over as the fifty was brought up in the eleventh over. However, a horrible mix-up cost Valthaty his wicket and his partner Murli Vijay too departed after a sluggish innings to enable India Red put some pressure on the new batmen.

Murli Karthik hit two fours off Piyush Chawla before a googly disturbed his furniture, India Blue were in little bit of strife at 98 for three in the 22nd over. Though India Blue were scoring a good rate, they needed some kind of a partnership to keep the score board moving. Badrinath and Manish Pandey did exactly that by adding 81 for the fourth wicket. Badrinath, on 56 was stumped off the bowling of left armer Bhargav Bhatt who impressed with a fine bowling display during the batting powerplay. Pandey too was removed by the same bowler for a 48-ball 45.

The double-strike slowed down India Blue as Irfan Pathan became Chawla’s second victim. After 47 overs, 250 looked hard to achieve but Mandeep Singh tore into Pankaj Singh smashing two fours and a six, Sangwan’s last over blitz took the score to 274. Mandeep, in particular caught the eye with a sparkling 38-ball 50.