Yuvraj excels in Chandigarh's win

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 16

City all-rounder Yuvraj Choudhary was on a roll as he helped Chandigarh register an innings and 403-run win over Manipur in their last outing of the Col CK Nayudu Trophy Plate Group at SERSA Stadium in Kharagpur today.

Choudhary, after claiming four wickets and slamming a double ton in the first innings, again picked up four wickets — including a hat-trick — to help Chandigarh claim seven points.

Trailing by 580 runs, Manipur were bowled out for 177 runs. Chandigarh ended at second position with 48 points from seven wins and two draws in nine matches.

Resuming from overnight 5/0, Manipur quickly lost three wickets as Choudhary claimed a hat-trick. He accounted for Nawaz (1), Karnajit (0) and Ronald to reduce the side to 12/3 in the 8th over of the day. Nitesh (17) thereafter joined opener Rakesh to take the team’s total to 36 runs before losing his wicket to Harshit.

Kishan, who earlier claimed six wickets for Manipur, in the company of Rakesh pushed the total further by raising a 33-run partnership for the 5th wicket. The partnership was broken when Kishan (22 off 37 balls, with four boundaries) was trapped lbw by Harshit. In the next over, Rakesh was caught by Choudhary off Bhagmender Lather for 30 off 105 balls, studded with five boundaries. In the same over, Lather dismissed Guniram for a duck to reduce Manipur to 79/7.

Bikash Singh and Denin joined hands to trouble Chandigarh bowlers but only for a while. The duo raised a 75-run partnership, the highest of the Manipur innings, to help the side pass the 150-mark. Denin was playing at 20 off 59 balls, with two boundaries, when he was caught by Nikhil Sharma off Harshit. Bikash thereafter raised a 16-run partnership for the 9th wicket with Kasim before getting trapped lbw by Choudhary. He remained the highest scorer for the side by contributing 77 off 99 balls, studded with 12 boundaries and two sixes. Nicholson (5) was the last man out for Manipur after being claimed by Lather, whereas Kasim (2) stayed unbeaten for the side.

Choudhary claimed 4/42 in the second innings to take his match tally to 8/154, whereas Harshit (3/72) and Lather (3/9) took the rest of the wickets.