CHENNAI, AUG 17 :Unpretentious Gujarat defeated strong contenders Cricket Federation of India by 25 runs in the semi-final of the National Inter-State Under-15 Cricket Championship being organized by Cricket Federation of Tamil Nadu at the Mayajaal Cricket Stadium here this morning. Gujarat will now meet Punjab in the final in the afternoon session.
Hitting all over the wicket, Vikram Chaudhary (56) and Jignesh Thakar (33) helped Gujarat post the highest total of the tournament so far, 178 all out, in 25.4 overs SDahid Shaikh contributed a valuable 26. Vishal Rattewal and Arshdeep got three wickets each for 32 and 11 runs, respectively.
In reply CFI were bowled out for 153 in 24.1 overs. Sumit Hooda topscored with 60. However, his efforts went in vain as they fell short of 25 overs. Arshdeep made 27 and Mandeep 23. Dinesh Solanki (3 for 20), Jignesh Thakar (3 for 4) and Nasir Nayiya (3 for 25) restricted CFI total.
Punjab had a cakewalk victory over Chandigah in the second semi-final. Chasing a victory target of 96 in stipulated 25 overs, Punjab overtook the Chandigarh total and in the process they lost only three wickets in 16.3 overs. Ravinder Singh (25), Vishnu Srihan (28) and Sharanjeet Singh (22) raced Punjab to victory. Gurkirat Singh of Chandigarh bagged 3 for 20.
Brief scores (semi-finals): Gujarat: 178 all out in 24.4 overs (Vikram Chaudhary 56, Jignesh Thakar 33, Sahid Chaudhary 26, Vishal Rattewal 3 for 22, Arshdeep 3 for 11, Mandeep Singh 2 forf 4).
CFI XI: 153 all out in 24.1 overs (Sumit Hooda 60, Arshdeep 27, Mandeep Singh 23, Dineshji Solanki 3 for 20, Jignesh Thakar 3 for 4, Nasir Niyiya 3 for 25). Gujarat bt Cricket Federation of India by 25 runs.
Man of the Match: Sumit Hooda (Haryana) and Vikram Chaudhary (Gujarat).
Chandigarh: 95 all out in 23.1 overs )Ashvir Sandhu 26, Sahil Sharma 14, Karan Singh 13, Ashish Singh 3 for 14, Sharanjeet Singh 3 for 23, Charanjeet Singh 2 for 3).
Punjab: 98 for 3 in 16.3 overs (Ravinder Singh, Vishnu Srihan 28, Sharanjeet Singh 22, Gurkirat Singh 3 for 20). Punjab bt Chandigarh by 7 wickets. Man of the Match: Sharanjeet Singh (Punjab).