Vinay completes 500 wickets, push back Chandigarh

Deepankar Sharda

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 27

Though the sun was not out today it was a bright day for former Indian pacer Vinay Kumar, who opted to play for Pondicherry this year leaving behind his long association with Karnataka, as he joined the elite club of claiming 500 wickets in First-Class cricket.

The stunning performance by the right-arm seasoned pacer included a six-wicket haul against Chandigarh on the opening day of the Ranji trophy Plate Group tie, at the Sector 16 Cricket Stadium today. The hosts were bowled out for 134 runs, the lowest first innings total in this tournament, so far.

“There was nothing like going for records but it’s a proud moment to take 500 wickets in the First-Class cricket,” said Vinay, who is appearing for his 137th First-Class match. He joined the club with the likes of Kapil Dev (835 wickets), Zaheer Khan (672 wickets), Madan Lal (625 wickets), Vijay Hazare (595 wickets), Javagal Srinath (533 wickets) and Amar Singh (506 wickets). “It’s good to be playing a dual role in the team. As a mentor I always try to share my experience with my teammates to help them overcome the pressure and as a player I always look to find more for my kitty. The wicket is looking excellent to bowl and all I need is to put my best in front of the batsmen,” shared Kumar while talking to media earlier on Sunday.

Disastrous day

It was an actually disastrous day for the hosts as they were packed back to pavilion for 134 runs. Pondicherry skipper Rohit Damodaren was riding high on luck today as he won the toss and opted to field. His trump card Kumar was ready to strike as he accounted for Shivam Bhambri (10) to bring down Chandigarh at 39/1. Arslan Khan and skipper Manan Vohra then joined the crease. But they raised 17 runs for the second wicket as Sagar Udeshi claimed Vohra (12). Raman Bishnoi thereafter joined Khan but once again the hosts failed to plot planning against Pondicherry’s accurate bowling attack. This time Khan (42 off 65 balls, with 8 boundaries) fall prey to Aravind on the team’s total of 76 runs. Uday Kaul, another experienced player of the side, then joined Bishnoi and the duo tried to stable the innings. They raised a 49-run partnership for the 4th wicket and was looking good to enter the lunch break unbeaten. But Kumar broke the partnership as he claimed Bishnoi (41 off 64 balls, with 8 boundaries).

Unstoppable Kumar

After the lunch break, Kumar was on fire. The hosts collapsed within a blink of the eye as Kumar bowled exceptionally well. On the first ball of his first over after lunch, Kumar claimed Ankit Kaushik for a duck. He was caught by first slip PK Dogra. Chandigarh’s backbone Bipul Sharma came in to face Kumar. He shot a boundary off the very first ball he faced. But an eager Kumar retaliated and claimed Sharma (4) in the same over to reduce the side to 129/6 and complete his 500th wicket. Kumar thereafter claimed Gurinder Singh (0) and Arpit Singh (0) to reduce the side to 129/8. Udeshi did rest of damage after claiming Shreshth Nirmohi (0) and Jagjit Singh Sandhu (2) to pack the hosts for 134. Kumar was on cloud nine after completing his 12 over spell with 6/32, while Udeshi accounted for 3/41.

Bad light save Pondicherry

In reply, Pondicherry also started on a shaky note. Though the match was stopped due to bad light, Chandigarh bowlers had managed to reduce the side to 37/4. Shreshth Nirmohi accounted 3/17 to remain the best bowler for Chandigarh, while Sandhu claimed 1/18. Arun Karthick claimed (7) was the first fall of Pondicherry after being claimed by Nirmohi, while S Karthik (21 off 45 balls) fall prey to Jagjit Sandhu. Skipper Damodaren and Suresh Kumar went back for a naught after being claimed by Nirmohi. PK Dora (7) was the only unbeaten batsman for Pondicherry.