Punjab lads claim second position in Vijay Merchant Trophy
Despite playing a draw match against Uttar Pradesh, the Punjab U-16 team finished second in the Vijay Merchant Trophy being played in Surat. On the basis of the first innings lead, Uttar Pradesh claimed the title. Uttar Pradesh had scored 380 runs, and Punjab replied strongly by posting 364. In the second innings, Uttar Pradesh lads were 179/3 at the drawn of the final day’s stumps and were declared winners of the tournament.
In the first innings, Punjab’s Sahibjotveer Singh performed exceptionally well for the side. He claimed 6/98 to stop Uttar Pradesh batters from setting a good target. while Ishan Sood picked three. Uttar Pradesh opener Shanthanu Singh posted 85, while Kushal Yadav scored 82. Other batters, Kaif Rehman (71) and Mohammed Anas (40) also contributed for the side.
In reply, despite losing their opener soon, Advik (76) and Gursimran Singh (75) stabled the innings. Niket Nanda (49), Sahibjotveer (47) and Shaanvir Kalsi (40) also contributed for the side. Tyagi claimed 4/44 for the bowling side, while Mohammed Arsman (3/52) was the other notable performer with the ball.
In the second innings, Shanthanu once again came up with a stunning performance by scoring 54 off 47 balls, with six boundaries and three sixes, while Chechi scored 50 off 80 balls, studded with six boundaries. Shlok (36) and Anas (21) were the other main scorers. Sood, Aashish Kumar and Sahibjotveer claimed one wicket each.
