New Delhi: Bengal prevailed upon Punjab by three wickets in the semifinal of Vijay Hazare Trophy at SSCB Grounds, New Delhi on Saturday. Now Bengal will meet Mumbai in the final.
Winning the toss and opting to bat against Bengal in their semifinal match of Vijay Hazare Trophy at SSCB Grounds New Delhi, Punjab’s top order once again crumbled in face of sustained hostile Bengal attack. Bengal medium Pacer Sourav Sarkar struck in quick succession as he removed opener Chandan Madan and one drop batsman Gurkirat Mann with one run on the board. He induced an edge from Chandan Madan in the second over of the innings to IA Saxena before the batsman could open his account and on the next ball he castled Gurkirat mann for (0).
At this stage Mandeep Singh joined Munish Bhatia and the score board starting ticking. But soon after off spinner AA Nandi struck a double blow by cleaning up Munish Bhatia (14) and Amitoz Singh (0). Skipper Sourav Ganguly then trapped Taruwar Kohli in front of the wicket for two. At this stage Punjab were in deep trouble with the score reading a miserable 55 for five.
Bipul Sharma, the hero of Punjab‘s quarterfinal win against Hyderabad, stepped in to join Mandeep Singh and the duo started to repair the damage. They rotated the strike and played sensible Cricket. They put on 104 priceless runs for the fourth wicket before Bipul Sharma guided an away swinger from Mohd. Sami in to safe gloves of wicket keeper Wridhiman Saha. Bipul Sharma had scored 59 useful runs off 79 balls inclusive of six boundaries and one six.
Mandeep Singh who had been holding one end up was joined by his skipper Harbhajan Singh. Mandeep’s long vigil at the wicket ended when was snapped by AA Nandi off Shukla for 66 off 110 balls laced with six boundaries. Harbhajan Singh and debutant Vinay Choudhary then stitched a 37-runs partnership for the eighth wicket before Vinay choudhary was run out by Ganguly for eight. Harbhajan Singh remained unbeaten on (39) off 50 Balls. His innings was laced with six well timed boundaries. Punjab’s innings ended at 205 for 8 in 50 overs.For Bengal Sourav Sarkar (2 for 24) and AA Nandi (2 for 40) were the main wicket takers.
Bengal opened with JJ Basu and SP Goswami. After three overs of medium pacers, Punjab brought on left arm spinner Rajwinder Golu. The move met with immediate success as Golu had JJ Basu snapped by wicket-keeper Chandan Madan for seven. At this stage skipper Sourav Ganguly joined SP Goswami and the two were batting sensibly. The advent of debutant left arm spinner spelled the doom of Ganguly, who was castled by Vinay Choudhary for 24 off 29 balls inclusive for two boundaries and one six. Ganguly’s scalp was a dream debut for young Vinay Choudhary. Rajwinder Golu, who was bowling a tight length got rid of S P Goswami (30) A P Majumdaar(19) reducing Bengal to 100 for 4 in 27.3 overs Rajwinder Golu had a spell of (6-0-11-3) and his skipper Harbhajan Singh had an economical spell of 4-1-9-0. Wridhiman Saha and Laxmi Rattan Shukla, the last recognised pair, took charge of the situation. Shukla however was caught by Amitoze of Bipul Sharma for 11.
Wridhiman Saha, who has been in such a sublime touch with bat this season when he had guided East Zone to Duleep Trophy title, again took charge of the situation and hit an unbeaten half century (53) off 71 balls to guide his team to victory. He was helped in the cause by D B Dass (23) & Mohd. Sami who remained unbeaten at 22 of seven balls, including three fours and on six. Bengal scored 208 for 7 in 47.5 over. For Punjab Rajwinder Golu 3 for 19 and Vinay Choudhry 2 for 53 were the main wicket takers.
Brief Scores: Punjab 205 for 8 in 50 overs (Mandeep Singh 66, Bipul Sharma 59, Harbhajan Singh 39 not out. Sourav Sarkar 2 for 24 & A A Nandi 2 For 40)
Bengal 208 for 7 in 47.5 overs: (S P Goswami 30, Saurav Ganguly 24, wridhiman saha 53*, D B Dass 23, Mohd. Sami 22*,Rajwinder Golu 3 for 19 Vinay Choudhary 2 for 53).
