BARWALA (PANCHKULA), FEB 15 : A hurricane knock of 102 off 49 balls by Umesh Kaira and deadly bowling by Ajay Bhardwaj (6 for 15) enabled Godrej Cricket Club defeat Numero Uno XI by 108 runs in the IInd Tilak Ram Mittal Memorial League Cricket Tournament, being organised by Chandigarh Sports Club here at JR Institute Stadium in Barwala today.
Batting first after winning the toss, Godrej Cricket Club were quick off the block as openers Jai Kapil and skipper Vaneet Chawla (41) gave the team a solid start with a partnership of 75 runs. Vaneet Chawla did most of the run making as he played shots all over the field. He went on to make 41 runs off 34 balls.
Umesh Kaira took time to settle down. Once he got going there was no stopping him. He went after every bowler. He quickly got to his century in just 47 balls. His unbeaten knock of 102 included 9 fours and six sixes. Kaira guided Godrej CC to a respectable total of 208 runs in 25 overs.
Shekhar picked up three wickets for 18 runs.
In reply, Numero Uno XI had a moderate start as the openers put on 46 runs. But after the dismissal of opener Shekhar things went downhill for them as the bowlers led by Ajay Bhardwaj seemed to have found a chink in the armour of the batting line up. Ajay Bhardwaj picked up a wicket in his very first over and bowled very economically. He was instrumental in making inroads into the batting line-up of Numero Uno. The batsmen gave away their wickets easily as the whole team succumbed under the pressure. Opener Neeraj (49) was the only one who put up some resistance and stayed on till the end. But all his resistance went in vain as other batsmen did not make much of a contribution and the team was bowled out for a meagre 90 runs in 20 overs. Ajay bhardwaj finished the innings with 6 wickets for 15 runs included a maiden.
Brief scores: Godrej CC: – 208 for 7 in 25 overs (Umesh Kiara 102 not out, Vaneet Chwala 41, Shekhar 3 for 18, Vidyasagar 2 for 36). Numero Uno XI: 90 all out in 20.3 overs (Neeraj 49, Ajay Bhardwaj 6 for 15, Umesh Kaira 1 for 4).
In the second match of the day, Royal CC defeated Chandigarh Medi Club by 8 wickets helped by fine bowling by Pawan who struck thrice in his maiden over and then once again in his next to wrap u the innings. The batsmen were disappointing as none of them showed any intention of making runs. As a result the team was bowled out for 103 runs in 19.2 overs. The batsmen of Royal CC made short work of the target as they lost no time in going on the offensive and got to the target in 11 overs with 8 wickets in hand.
Brief scores: Chandigarh Media Club: 103 all out in 19.2 overs (Divesh 53, Pawan 4 for 0, Satish 2 for 3). Royal CC: 104 for 2 in 11.5 overs (Narinder Bunty 48, Rajesh Monu 34).