Bhatia helps Mohali win in inter-district cricket meet

All-rounder Aryan Bhatia from Mohali scored an unbeaten 92 and claimed three wickets to help the District Cricket Academy Mohali defeat Kapurthala by four wickets at the Punjab State Inter-District U-23 One Day Limited Overs Tournament here.

After winning the toss, the visiting captain opted to bat first. The side posted 228 runs before getting all out in 49 overs. The openers started off well with Pulkit Kalra and Jaiveer Bhinder raising a 58-run partnership. However, Bhatia provided the major breakthrough to Mohali by claiming Kalra's wicket. Kalra scored 32 runs off 19 balls with four boundaries and two sixes.

Bhatia, thereafter, claimed two more wickets--- Yuvraj Singh Ragbotra (1) and Ravjot Singh (2) — to reduce the batting side to 67/3. Yuvraj Singh Mann then took the wicket of Moulik Chhabra (9) to further trouble the visitors.

However, the Kapurthala innings got a major push as Bhinder and Jatin Sahota raised an 83-run stand for the fifth wicket. Bhinder was playing at 71 (off 121 balls, with eight boundaries), when Rishabh claimed his wicket. Sahota then fell prey to Ashish Bhardwaj for 50 off 46 balls with five boundaries and two sixes. Sameer Khan (24) remained the other main scorer, as Garv Kumar (5) and Shivam Sharma (1) also lost their wickets. Prince Gill (7) remained unbeaten for the side.

Rishab was the pick of bowlers with a 4/54 spell, while Bhatia took three wickets for 35 runs. Bhardwaj, Harshdeep Singh and Mann picked a wicket each.

In reply, Mohali fumbled at 72/3 with Bikramjeet Singh (4), Aalam Bakshi (13) and Rushil Shrivastava (19) moving back to the pavilion. However, Bhatia and Gursimran Sethi (49 off 69 balls with seven boundaries) held back their nerves and pushed the total to 126 before the latter was caught off Khan. Thereafter, Bhatia’s unbeaten 92 (off 83 balls, with 10 boundaries and three sixes) got support from Harshdeep Singh (18) and Vishavjeet Singh (10) to confirm the team’s win in 43 overs.

Khan returned with 4/40 for the bowling side while Garv and Shivam Sharma picked a wicket each.