KSCA teams set up title tilt

Presidents XI score over Vidarbha

In the Group B, President’s XI and Punjab Cricket Association ended up nine points, but the former entered the final by virtue of the number of outright win. In the last set of matches, President’s XI defeated Vidarbha CA, while Punjab could only manage a draw against Baroda.

At the RSI grounds on Saturday, KSCA XI didn’t waste much time in apply finishing touches to the Colts’ first innings.

The Colts could add only six runs to their overnight 264 for eight. Left-arm spinner Suchith J completed an astounding nine-wicket haul (9/98), giving the marching orders to Abhishesk Jagan and HS Sharath.  The Colts’ tally of 270 gave KSCA XI a 213-run first-innings lead. They could have enforced the follow-on in search of an outright win, but having already assured themselves a berth in the final, KSCA XI preferred to bat a second time to give some practice for their batsmen ahead of the final.

KSCA XI made 240 for six in 71 overs before both teams agreed to end the proceedings at the tea interval. Stuart Binny, Shreyas Gopal and Aman Raj led KSCA XI’s charge with well-made fifties, and Shreyas was impressive in particular.

Composed fifty

The right-hander seemed set for a big score in the first innings, but failed to kick on. However, he made amends on the day with a composed fifty.

Shreyas (65, 130b, 5x4) attached a heavy price on his wicket, and avoided all the frills. The biggest threat for the KSCA XI batsmen was Sunil Raju’s off-spin as he troubled batsmen with awkward bounce.

But Shreyas came right behind the ball to nullify the rising deliveries and rolled his wrist to keep the ball down, away from the grasp of the close-in fielders. He had an equally strong-minded partner in Aman Raj (56 n.o., 99b, 4x4) as the duo realised 93 runs for the stubborn sixth wicket.

Left-arm spinner SK Moinuddin, who has been vastly impressive in this tournament, ended the alliance, forcing Shreyas to edge one to Pavan Deshpande. Binny (53, 55b, 6x4, 2x6) was all fire and brimstone as usual, mullering the red cherry to the fence with brute force. However, the entertainment came to an end when he slashed Moinuddin to Zeeshan Ali at covers.

Brief scores: At RSI Grounds: KSCA XI: 483/6 decl in 175 overs and 240/6 in 71 overs (Stuart Binny 53, Shreyas Gopal 65, Aman Raj 56 n.o.; Sunil N Raju 3-71, SK Moinuddin 2-46) drew KSCA Colts: 270 all out in 88 overs (Karun Nair 64, Pawan Deshpande 57, Abrar Kazi 58; Suchith J 9-98). 

At Chinnaswamy Stadium: Rajasthan CA: 277 all out in 105.5 overs and 121 all out in 47.5 overs (Afroz Khan 40; Arav Dave 5-39, Kamlesh Mankwana 2-20) lt to Saurashtra CA: 459 all out in 132.2 overs.

At PES, Mandya: Vidarbha CA: 347 all out in 92.5 overs and 340/9 decl in 73.4 overs (Akshay Kolar 39, Anup Fulpar 55, Ravi Jangid 91, Shalabh Srivastava 81; NC Aiyappa 4-55, Aditya B Sagar 2-48) lt to KSCA President’s XI: 385 all out in 189.4 overs and 300/9 in 57.4 overs (Bharath Chipli 54, Kunal Kapoor 38, KL Rahul 95, Rajoo Bhatkal 32; Sumit Ruikar 6-126).

At Gangotri Glades, Mysore: Punjab CA: 527 all out in 155.4 overs and 86/0 in 16 overs (Amitoze Singh 33 n.o., Sarabjeet Singh 53 n.o.) drew Baroda CA: 385 all out in 133.1 overs (Kedar Devdhar 49, Murtuja Vohra 51).