Cements pip Canara Bank to stom into title clash

Deepak Chougule’s gritty unbeaten hundred (104 n.o., 123b, 9x4) wasn’t enough for Canara Bank to prevent India Cements from emerging a 37-run winner in the semifinals of the BCCI Corporate Trophy at Raipur on Wednesday.

Cements will take on another Chennai outfit, Chemplast, in the final. Chemplast scored a four-wicket win over CAG at Indore, venue of the title clash.

After Canara Bank chose to field, India Cements’ openers KB Arun Karthik (42, 44b, 4x4, 3x6) and Abhinav Mukund (80, 117b, 4x4, 1x6) gave them a solid platform adding 71 runs 16.2 overs before offie C Raghu dismissed Karthik. From that point onwards, India Cements lost wickets at regular intervals, but managed a competitive 267 all out.

Mukund fell to pacer NC Aiyappa at 196, and the Cements were still some way short of a total that could challenege the Canara Bank batsmen, and they needed some late steam to reach that point.

It was provided by Rohan Prem and Yo Mahesh, who added 47 runs in a little over six overs for the ninth wicket. For the Bankmen, Sunil Joshi and Rajoo Bhatkal were the most successful bowlers, grabbing three wickets each.

In reply, Canara Bank lost opener Bharath Chipli and one-down KL Rahul for 18 in the seventh over, but Chougule kept the battle on for them almost singlehandedly.
There was some assistance for him from opener KB Pawan (59, 88b, 7x4) , and the duo added 104 runs for the third wicket.

But once Pawan was jettisoned by left-arm spinner Shadab Jakati, the Bankmen found the going tough, and were bundled out for 230 with a ball to go.

Paceman Vijaykumar Yo Mahesh (3-55) and M Raja (3-48) were the pick of the India Cements bowlers, while India offie R Ashwin took two wickets in the middle overs to snap the flow.

Brief scores: India Cements: 267 all out in 50 overs (Abhinav Mukund 80, KB Arun Karthik 42; Rajoo Bhatkal 3-33, Sunil Joshi 3-58) bt Canara Bank: 230 all out in 49.5 overs (Deepak Chougule 104 n.o., KB Pawan 59; R Ashwin 2-32, V Yo Mahesh 3-55, M Raja 3-48).

CAG: 137 all out in 44.1 overs (GH Gambhir 48; Sandip Sharma 4-40, R Suthesh 3-24) lt to Chemplast: 140/6 in 36.2 overs (C Hemant Kumar 43 n.o.; Basant Mohanty 3-29).