Nehal Wadhera, Jaish Jain star in emphatic win of Ludhiana

Anil Datt

Ludhiana, June 14

Riding high over an excellent batting display by Nehal Wadhera (117) and an equally valuable all-round performance by the skipper, Jaish Jain (75 runs and 5 for 32), hosts Ludhiana scripted an emphatic victory by 179 runs against Ropar in the first match of the Punjab (U-19) One-Day Cricket Tournament played at GRD Academy ground, Hambran Road, here on Friday.

Ludhiana secured four points whereas Ropar went blank. Ludhiana won the toss and decided to bat first. In the stipulated 50 overs, hosts posted a big score of 293 runs after losing four wickets.

The highlight of Ludhiana’s innings was a cracking century by India national team (U-19) player, Nehal Wadhera who made 117 runs off 115 balls with the help of six sixes and nine hits over the ropes.

Besides, Jaish Jain and Vaibhav Kalra chipped in with useful contributions. Jaish made 75 runs in 93 balls which included five boundaries and three sixes while Vaibhav remained unconquered on 68 that came off in just 48 deliveries, laced with four sixes and five fours.

For Ropar, Simanjeet Singh and Kabir Rana scalped one victim each after conceding 48 and 49 runs, respectively.

Ropar could not resist the accurate bowling by Ludhiana, particularly skipper, Jaish Jain as their innings folded at 114 runs in 35 overs with only two batsmen, Himanshu Khanna (55) and Saksham Gupta (19) reached double figure.

For the winning side, Jaish Jain was the main wicket taker, capturing five wickets for 32 runs in nine overs. Amitoz and Gurmehar claimed two wickets each after giving away 19 and 24 runs, respectively while Manjot Singh grabbed one wicket for 17 runs.