Manan helps Chandigarh finish on top

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 4

A strokeful century by Manan Vohra helped Chandigarh gain a vital 67-run lead over hosts Jalanadhar on the second and final day of their Katoch Shield match at the Burlton Park and earn three points.    

Chasing Jalandhar’s first innings total of 246 runs, Manan Vohra and Shivam Bhambari provided a solid platform to the Chandigarh innings, adding 157 runs for the opening wicket.

The two were separated when Bhambri was caught by Manpreet off Shubek Gill on 48. Vohra fell soon after, holding out to Satyawan off Gaurav Chaudhary on 114. His 128-ball knock included 10 boundaries and two sixes.   

Gaurav Puri and Talwinder Singh then added 51 runs for the fourth wicket to take the visitors past the Jalandhar total.

The partnership was broken when Talwinder was trapped in front by Chaudhary on 32. Puri remained unbeaten on 34 as Chandigarh eventually closed the play on 313/9.  

Raghu Sharma was the most effective bowler for the hosts, claiming 4/80. Chaudhary returned with figures of 3/71, while Shubek Gill bagged 2/52.

Earlier, Chandigarh bowlers struck in unison to restrict the hosts to 246 runs.  

The visitors made early inroads into the Jalandhar innings and reduced the side to 23/3 before Himanshu Sharma and Himanshu Satyawan stabilised the innings with an 80-run partnership for the fourth wicket. 

Satyawan fell to Arshdeep Singh after scoring a useful 46. 

Himanshu Sharma then in company of Arun Kaila added 51 runs for the sixth wicket before the latter edged Bhagmender to Talwinder Singh on 26. 

Himanshu Sharma fell nine runs short of century as Jalandhar finally folded up on 246 runs.

Arpit Singh (3/86) and Bhagmender (3/58) claimed three wickets each while Arshdeep Singh bagged 2/37.

Chandigarh received three points from the match on the basis of the first innings lead, while Jalandhar got one point.   

Sharad helps Amritsar win

At Gandhi Grounds in Amritsar, Sharad Lumba scored a stunning century to help hosts register an innings and 34-run win over Gurdaspur.

Opting to bat, Amritsar rode on skipper Lumba’s 164-run knock to declare their innings closed on 349/5 in 69 overs. Lumba’s 183-ball stay in the middle was studded with 21 boundaries and a six.  

The skipper also built a 159-run opening wicket stand with Rohan Marwaha, who fell 13 runs short of the century. Navneet Singh contributed 47 runs to the total.

In reply, Gurdaspur were bowled out for 142 runs in their first innings. Rahul Kashyap was the wrecker-in-chief for the hosts, claiming 5/43. Rohit Gulati (2/14) and Vinay Choudhary (2/42) picked two wickets apiece. 

Following on, Gurdaspur batsmen disappointed once again and were all out for 179 runs in 44 overs.   

This time, Vinay Choudhary proved to be their nemesis; claiming 6/70. Abhinav Sharma returned with figures of 3/34.  

Ravikant showed some appetite for a fight but could help the visitors overcome the Amritsar total. He perished on 40.   

Ludhiana beat Bathinda  

In another match, hosts Ludhiana registered a 10-wicket win over Bathinda. 

Put in to bat, Bathinda were all out for 142 runs after Krishan Kumar led attack made regular inroads into the visitors’ line-up. 

Kumar claimed 6/52, while Sukhjinder Singh took 3/40. 

Naman Dhir (29) was the top scorer for Bathinda. Venus added 28 runs to the total.

Ludhiana, in reply, declared their first innings closed at 281/5. Sunny Pandey and Talwinder Singh added 152 runs for the opening wicket to provide a solid platform to the hosts’ innings. 

Talwainder was caught by Naveen off Taranpreet after hammering 81 off 86 balls, while Pandey was caught by Mohit off Naveen on 116. Kashish Pasneja hit a 50-ball 62.

For the visitors, Sukhminder Singh (2/34) and Taranpreet (2/123) bagged two wickets each. 

Trailing Ludhiana by 139 runs, Bathinda in the second innings were bowled out for 183 runs — Krishan Kumar once again proving to be their nemesis, claiming 5/66. Sukhjinder Singh took 2/34. 

Set a victory target of 45 runs, Ludhiana raced home in just 6.4 overs. 

Meanwhile, the match between Mohali and Patiala was abandoned due to wet outfield. Both the teams were awarded a point each.

In the semifinals, Chandigarh will face Patiala at IS Bindra Stadium Mohali, while Amritsar will take on Ludhiana at their home turf from September 6.