Chandigarh’s victory run continues

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 2

Chandigarh’s unbeaten run in the Women’s Senior One Day Trophy continued as they beat Meghalaya by 149 runs at the SLIMS Ground in Puducherry today to register their fifth successive win in the tournament and jump to the top of the Plate Group.

Opting to bat, Chandigarh had a poor beginning as they lost Divya Sharma and Parul Saini cheaply. While Divya was run out on 4, Parul was cleaned up by Vandana Mahajan for 2.

Opener Monika Pandey and skipper Amanjot Kaur, however, batted sensibly and put the Chandigarh innings back on track with a 67-run partnership for the third wicket.

The two were separated when Monika was caught by Saee Purandare off Pinky Chadha after scoring a painstaking 32.

Amanjot, though, kept piling runs from the other end and together with Priyanka took the total to 144 runs in 40 overs before she was run by Daiaka on 62. Amanjot’s 82-ball stay in the middle was studded with nine boundaries.

The skipper’s dismissal triggered a mini collapse as Chandigarh lost Rajni Devi (1), Ambu (1) and Nandani Sharma (6) in quick succession and slumped to 166/7 in 45.3 overs.

Priyanka then took the responsibility of guiding Chandigarh past the 200-run mark. The all-rounder, in company of Shivangi, added 37 runs in the last 4.3 overs to propel the side to 203/7 in the allotted 50 overs.

Priyanka remained not out on 64, while Shivangi added an unbeaten 12 to the total.

Vandana was the most successful bowler for Meghalaya, claiming 3/30 in her 10 overs. Skipper DD Dutta (1/52) and Pinky (1/19) took one wicket each.

Defending a modest total, Chandigarh bowlers fired in unison to bundle out Meghalaya for 54 runs in 25.2 overs.

Parul claimed 3/4, while Kumari Shibi returned figures of 2/7. Amanjot (1/15), Priyanka (1/5) and Nandani (1/17) also picked a wicket each.

Opener Saee was the top score for Meghalaya. She faced 60 balls for her 23 before being ruled out for obstructing the field. Five of the other Meghalaya batters failed to even open their account, while the remaining contributed in single digits.

Chandigarh now lead the Plate Group with 20 points. They are followed by hosts Pondicherry in second place, while Nagaland are third.

Amanjot-led side will next face Manipur on March 5.

Brief scores

Chandigarh 203/7 in 50 overs (Priyanka Guleria 64*, Amanjot Kaur 62; Vandana Mahajan 3/30, Pinky Chanda 1/19) beat Meghalaya 54 all out in 25.2 overs (Saee Purandare 23; Parul Saini 3/4, Kumari Shibi 2/7)