CHANDIGARH, SEPT 29: Indian Oil pulled off a biggest upset as they stunned defending champions MRF of Chennai by 46 runs to make their maiden entry into final of the 15th J.P. Atray Memorial Cricket Tournament here today.
Indian Oil were reinforced as their skipper Wasim Jaffar joined them today after playing in the Irani Trophy match. He guided his team Indian Oil into the final with a brilliant and timely struck 108 (8x4s, 1×6).
Indian Oil were 20 for 2 when Wasim Jaffar walked in. Wicketkeeper Pinal Shah was snapped by R. Shukla of the bowling of medium pacer Niyas Mohammad. R. Shukla accounted for both openers. First he ahd Mithun Barela caught by Niyaas for 7 and other opener Ajinkya Rahene by U Sushil for 4.
Wassim Jaffar was joined by Ravi Kant Shukla and the duo took the total to 212 when R. Shukla was trapped by Yo-Mahesh for 68 (4x4s). The fourth wicket partnership was worth 175 runs in 32.1 overs.
Thereafter Aditya Tare joined Jaffar. For the fifth wicket they realised 34 runs when W. Jaffar was caught by Senthil of the bowling of Niyas Mohammad. The next man in Rajesh Pawar and Aditya Tare took the score to 279 for 6 in 50 overs as R. Pawar was caught by Saurav Tiwari of the bowling of R. Skhula for 14 of the last ball of the innings.
R. Shukla (3 for 54) and N. Mohammad (2 for 51) were the most successful bowlers for MRF.
Replying Indian Oil lost their first three wickets for just 28 runs on the board. Then Gnaneshwar Rao and skipper Venu Gopal Rao got together to mend the fences. G. Rao was the fourth man out at 93 when he failed to beat a direct throw from W. Jaffar and was run out for 27.
Soon after Saurav Tiwari was run out for 9 with the total reading 105. V. Gopal Rao lost another partner in Suneel Vishwanathan who departed for three at the team’s total of 124. Thereafter V. Gopal Rao and U Shushil were involved in a 36- run stand for the seventh wicket before V. Gopal Rao, in trying to force the pace, was caught by A. Rehane of the bowling of Rohan Raje for 88 (8x4s, 5x6s).
His exit brought an early end to the innings. A. Rahene made 41 as MRF could score 233 all out in 44.2 overs. Gaurav Jathan (3 for 51) and R. Raje (2 for 29) were the main wicket takers for Indian Oil.
Wasim Jaffar was declared the Man of the Match
Brief scores: Indian Oil 279 for 6 in 50 overs ( W. Jaffar 108, R. Shukla 68, Aditya Tare 29 not out, Rahul Shukla 3 for 54, Niyas Mohd. 2 for 51).MRF: 233 for all in 44.2 overs V. Gopal Rao 88, U Shushil 41, Gnaneshwar Rao 27, G. Jathar 3 for 51, Rohan Raje 2 for 29).
Indian Oil will take on PCC in the day-night finals at PCA Stadium in Mohali at 2:30 p.m while MRF will take on India Cement Chennai for third and fourth place match at Sector 16 Cricket Stadium at 9:15 am.
Governor of Punjab and Administrator, UT, Chandigrh, Gen. (Retd.) S.F. Rodrigues will be the chief guest.