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Deccan Chargers enters final

Principal Correspondent

HYDERABAD: Deccan Chargers set up a title-clash with Orissa in the inaugural Deccan T20 Cup cricket championship at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium here on Monday.

In the first semifinal on Sunday, Orissa outplayed Catchment Area XI by eight wickets while later in the afternoon, Chargers made the Hyderabad Ranji squad look very ordinary with a fluent seven-wicket win.

Orissa came up with a professional display to bundle out Catchment Area XI for 107 in 17.5 overs with fast bowler Santosh Jena striking the early blows to remove the dangerous Hemal Vatekar (8) and Manoj Sai (7) very early.

In the middle-overs slow bowler Bibudutta Panda was equally efficient with a three-wicket haul that never let CA XI come back into the game.

Chasing the modest target, Orissa was never in any trouble with the flamboyant opener Bikas Pati (48, 42 balls, 8x4) and Natraj Behera (45 not out, 40 balls) batting with great authority. Despite losing opener S. Praharaj (5) very early, Orissa romped home in just 14.4 overs.

The afternoon semifinal was a contest between the ‘regulars’ and ‘discards’ in a way. The Hyderabad Ranji squad almost represented the current side coached by S.L. Venkatapathi Raju while Chargers coached by Kanwaljit Singh comprised players who were ignored for the Ranji like openers T. Suman and D.B. Ravi Teja. The intensity on the field ensured a tough fight though the scorecard might show a different picture.

Batting first, poor stroke selection saw Hyderabad Ranji score 122 for nine with southpaw Sashank Nag (25) hitting off-spinner Suman over covers for a huge six.

Then, the diminutive Ahmed Qaudri (35, 23 balls, 3x4, 1x6) played well before a fine arm ball from left-arm spinner Abhishek Ashok cleaned him up. Ashish Reddy (three for 29) and off-spinner Tirumalasetty Suman (two for 26) were the pick of the bowlers.

In reply, Chargers was off to a brisk start with Suman (21, 4x4) picking fast bowler and Hyderabad captain M.P. Arjun for special treatment — hitting him for three neatly struck fours in the space of two overs. But he could not resist temptation for another big one, and fell to a poor stroke off Ashwin Yadav, triggering off wild celebrations by the bowler.

Then, India discard Y. Venugopala Rao (31 not out, 43 balls, 2x4) and Nandlal Arjun Yadav (41, 33 balls, 4x6) combined aggression and caution to perfection to guide the team to a victory. Arjun hit off-spinner Ahmed Quadri for three consecutive sixes in one over and finally a fine catch by Rushi Raj in the deep off Amol Shinde saw his exit.

The scores: semifinals: Catchment Area XI 107 in 17.5 overs (Santosh Jena three for 15, Bibudutta Panda three for 23) lost to Orissa 110 for two in 14.4 overs (Bikas Pati 48, Natraj Behera 45 not out).

Hyderabad Ranji XI 122 for nine (Ahmed Quadri 35, Ashish Reddy three for 29) lost to Deccan Chargers 124 for three in 19.2 overs (Y. Venugopala Rao 31 not out, N. Arjun Yadav 41).

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