The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Hyderabad stays in contention

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Saturday, Dec 25, 2004

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Sport - Cricket

Hyderabad stays in contention

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, DEC. 24. Hyderabad recorded a 60-run win over Punjab in the Ranji Trophy Elite Group `B' match at Gymkhana Grounds on Friday to stay in contention for the knock-out phase. Earlier resuming at it's overnight score of 147 for six, Hyderabad innings lasted just 15 balls as medium-pacer Rajvir Singh returned with yet another impressive spell of six for 40 to take his tally to 13 wickets in this match.

Hyderabad has now 12 points from six matches with one more match against Assam scheduled this month-end at Gymkhana Grounds here while, Punjab completed the league phase with 16 points.

Gupta's good knock

Chasing a victory target on a sporting wicket which continued to assist the medium-pacers, Punjab was never really in the hunt despite a superbly paced knock by Gaurav Gupta (87 not out, 212 min, 151 ball, 10 x 4). But none of the other batsmen settled down to convert their good starts into big scores. Credit should go to the Hyderabad bowlers and captain V.V.S. Laxman who handled his resources well. He brought about the right bowling changes at the appropriate time.

The intensity which marked Hyderabad's approach today could also be attributed to the determination of Laxman who made no secret of his displeasure when Gagandeep Singh was dropped by wicketkeeper Ibrahim Khaleel off S.Vishnuvardhan and also when left-arm spinner Indrasekhar Reddy fumbled with a simple run-out opportunity at bowler's end in the final minutes.

Reetinder Singh Sodhi scored 35 (117 balls, 5 x 4, 1 x 6) but looked unimpressive with his unorthodox strokeplay. He was never really confident throughout his knock. Once again, it was the veteran medium-pacer Narinderpal Singh (four for 62) who struck the early blows and debutant Kaushik Reddy (two for 56) gave him good support. Left-arm spinner Indrasekhar Reddy mopped up the tail with a decent spell (three for 29) to ensure that there were no escape routes for Punjab.

The scores:

Hyderabad — 1st innings: 233

Punjab— 1st innings: 105.

Hyderabad— 2nd innings: Anirudh Singh c P.Dharmani b Uniyal 19, Daniel Manohar c P.Dharmani b Ravjir Singh 11, D.Vinay Kumar c P.Dharmani b Gagandeep Singh 4, A.T.Rayudu lbw b Rajvir Singh 17, V.V.S.Laxman b Ravjir Singh 60, N. S. Arjun Yadav c Binwant Singh b Gagandeep Singh 11, Ibrahim Khaleel b Uniyal 9, S.Vishnuvardhan b Rajvir Singh 12, I. S. Reddy lbw Rajvir Singh 0, Kaushik Reddy b Ravjir Singh 0, N.P.Singh (not out) 1. Extras: (3b, 1w, 1nb) 5. Total: (all out in 50.5 overs) 149

Fall of wickets: 1-22, 2-31, 3-54, 4-54, 5-90, 6-107, 7-147, 8-147, 9-148.

Punjab bowling: Gagandeep Singh 18-4-41-2, Rajvir Singh 13.5-2-40-6, Sodhi 8-2-18-0, Uniyal 10-0-43-2, Avilesh 1-0-4-0.

Punjab— 2nd innings: R. Ricky lbw S.Vishnuvardhan 2, R. S. Sodhi lbw b N.P.Singh 35, A. Kakkar c Ibrahim Khaleel b Kaushik Reddy 19, Binwant Singh b Kaushik Reddy 0, Pankaj Dharmani c Ibrahim Khaleel b N.P.Singh 9, Gaurav Gupta (not out) 87, Munish Sharma lbw b N.P.Singh 25, A.Uniyal c Anirudh Singh b I.S.Reddy 14, Gagandeep Singh c I.Khaleel b I.S.Reddy 5, V.R.V.Singh b N.P.Singh 5, L.Abhilash c Anirudh Singh b I.S.Reddy 4. Extras: (4b, 3lb, 4nb 1w) 12. Total: (all out in 73 overs) 217.

Fall of wickets: 1-3, 2-56, 3-56, 4-60, 5-96, 6-158, 7-178, 8-205, 9-212.

Hyderabad bowling: N.P.Singh 20-4-62-4, Vishnuvardhan 20-5-39-1, Kaushik Reddy 12-4-56-2, Daniel Manohar 4-0-24-0, I. S. Reddy 17-3-29-3.

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