Vijay Merchant Trophy: MP beat city lads by 246 runs

Madhya Pradesh handed over an appalling defeat to Chandigarh, during the pre-quarterfinals of the Vijay Merchant Trophy at Gujarat College Ground in Ahmedabad. The side recorded a massive 246-run win over Chandigarh team, which qualified for the first time for the pre-quarterfinals.

In reply to Madhya Pradesh’s first innings total of 313, Chandigarh bundled out at 124. And, in the second innings, Madhya Pradesh batters declared their innings at 276/9. However, the Chandigarh batting line-up collapsed at 219 to face an outright defeat.

Resuming from 191/4, Madhya Pradesh batters Arnav Sharda and Karan Tomar continued smashing Chandigarh bowlers. The duo took the total to 226, before Sharda was bowled by Rithwik Sood for 83 of 140 balls, with eight boundaries and two sixes. Tomar went on to score 54 off 138 balls, with six boundaries, before being pulled down by Sood. Arjun Skhukla (13) and Anjesh Pal (6) also fell against Sood, while Ritik Parab (20) was claimed by Abhay Singh Gulia. Sood claimed 7/70 to lead the charge for Chandigarh, while Gulia picked 2/53.

Facing an uphill task to score 465, the Chandigarh batters started their second innings on a disastrous note as half the side was back to the hut at 111.