MOHALI, OCT 5 : Riding on a brilliant century by opener old war horse Sandeep Sharma, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation shocked defending champions Reliance-I by 59 runs in their quarter-final match of 21st All India J.P. Atray Memorial Cricket Tournament at the PCA Cricket Stadium in Mohali here on Sunday. For his sterling performance Sandeep Sharma was adjudged the man of the match.
Winning the toss Reliance-I opted to field first but their decision back fired as ONGC openers Samrath Singh and Sandeep Sharma hoisted a 200 runs partnership for the first wicket in 36.5 overs. Sandeep Sharma was the dominant partner of the partnership and was the first to depart as he was caught by Akshdeep Nath off medium pacer Pawan Suyal for a brilliant (117) off 126 balls studded with 15 rousing boundaries and one huge six.
The other opener Samrath Singh also fell at the same total being caught by Amitoze Singh of right arm medium pacer Baltej Singh for 72 off 97 balls with 6 boundaries and one six. Nitish Rana unbeaten 43 off 37 balls with 5 boundaries and two sixes helped the team reach the target of 290 for 4 in the allotted 50 overs. Pavan Suyal (2 for 63) was the most successful bowler for Reliance-I.
Reliance-I started their reply with smit Patel and Akshdeep Nath both U-19 World Cup players but Akshdeep Nath departed soon as he was trapped in front by Sumit Narwal for 05. Thereafter Rakesh Solanki and Smit Patel put on 60 runs for the 2nd wicket before Rakesh Solanki was castled by Sohail Sharma for 30 off 32 balls inclusive of 6 boundaries. Reliance-I kept on losing wickets at regular intervals and at one stage were 153 for 7 in 29.3 overs. Thereafter, Yuzvendra Chahl and Apoorav Wankhede put on 55 runs for the 8th wicket. Apoorav Wankhede remained unbeaten on 64 off 63 balls with 2 boundareis and 3 sixes.
Reliance were eventually bowled out for 231 in 42 overs. Right Arm leg spinner Rahul Tewatia (4 for 68) and Nitish Rana (2 for 10) and Sohail Sharma (2 for 48) shared the spoils.
Brief scores: ONGC: 290 for 4 in 50 overs (Samrath Singh 72, Sandeep Sharma 117, Nitish Rana 43, Pavan Suyal 2 for 63).
Reliance – I: 231 all out in 42 overs (Smith Patel 58, Rakesh Solanki 30, Apoorav Wankhede 64 not out, Rahul Tewatia 4 for 68 , Nitish Rana 2 for 10 and Sohail Sharma 2 for 48).
FCI ROUT STATE BANK OF MYSORE: Winning the toss and electing to bat at Sector 16 Cricket Stadium in their quarter final match against State Bank of Mysore, FCI rattled up to 267 for 7 in 50 overs. They were helped in their cause by a 102 runs partnership for the second wicket between Chetan Sharma and Dhruv Shorey. Umang Sharma and Rishi Dhawan were involved in another fruitful partnership of 73 runs for the 5th wicket. Chetan Sharma 72 off 95 balls with 9 boundaries and Dhruv Shorey 65 off 78 balls with 2 boundaries and 2 sixes, Umang Sharma 63 off 52 balls with 7 boundaries were the principal run getters for FCI. S. Arvind (4 for 39) and H.S. Sharath (2 for 47) were the main wicket takers for State Bank of Mysore.
Replying State Bank of Mysore were bundled out for 90 in 21.3 overs. Pavan Deshpande unbeaten 39 off 38 balls with 4 boundaries showed some symbolic resistance. Except him other batsmen fell an easy prey to the guiles of off spinner Pulkit Narang who returned the tantalising figures of 5.3 overs 18 runs and 7 wickets. State Bank of Mysore batsmen had no answer to the teasing length and turn of Pulkit’s deliveries. Pulkit for his brilliant bowling performance was named man of the match.
Brief scores: FCI: 267 for 7 in 50 overs (Chetan Sharma 72, Dhruv Shory 65, Umang Sharma 63, Rishi Dhawan 29, Pankaj Jaswal 21 not out, S. Arvind 4 for 39 and H.S.Sharath 2 for 47).
State Bank of Mysore: 90 all out in 21.3 overs (Pavan Deshpande not out 39, B. Ahkil 12 and K.N. Bharat 13, Pulkit Narang 7 for 18, Pankaj Jaswal 2 for 23 and Rishi Dhawan 1 for 25).
Tomorrow’s fixtures (q-finals): MPCA vs DDCA Sector 16 Cricket Stadium Chd. 9.00 a.m
Baroda vs CAG Tau Devi Lal Stadium Sector – 3 Panchkula 9.00 a.m.