Col CK Nayudu Trophy: Amit Shukla, Nishunk Birla claim 3 wickets each as Chandigarh restrict Maharashtra to 280

Chandigarh, February 18

Amit Shukla and Nishunk Birla claimed three wickets each as Chandigarh managed to restrict Maharashtra at 280 runs on the opening day of Col CK Nayudu Trophy match at the Sector 16 cricket stadium.

Maharashtra skipper AS Nalavade won the toss and opted to bat first. However, the decision backfired as the visitors were reduced to 59 runs at the loss of three wickets. Opener AS Dharmadhikari and Aniruddha Sabale (9) could raise only 18 runs, as the latter was trapped in front of the wickets by Raj Angad Bawa. Dharmadhikari (11) was the next to go after falling prey to Harshit, while Shukla trapped SA Veer (19).

Thereafter, skipper Nalavade and HA Kate took the responsibility and stabled the innings by raising a 95-run stand for the fourth wicket. Nalavade was playing at 59 (off 117 balls, with four boundaries and a six), when he was bowled by Shukla. The visitors’ innings once again derailed after this wicket as Birla sent RS Hadke (12), Vicky Ostwal (10) and AA Pawar (0) to pavilion, troubling the Maharashtra innings. Prathamesh Gawade (0) was Shukla’s third target, which reduced the side to 212 runs for eight wickets.

Kate, however, got some support from AR Nishad to complete his 150 off 230 balls (studded with 21 boundaries and a six). Kate and Nishad were involved in a 67-run partnership for the ninth wicket before Neel Dhaliwal claimed the former to further as the scoreboard announced 279/9. Bawa claimed AS tanpure’ s wicket to end Maharashtra innings on the first day. Nishad remained unbeaten and scored 1 run off 48 balls.