India Cements vs BSNL at Bangalore

India Cements prevailed over the spirited BSNL by 25 runs in a truncated 47 overs a side match at Bangalore. Thanks to a century stand by the two experienced cricketers on the domestic circuit – S Badrinath {90} and skipper R Dravid {63} which produced 127 runs for the third wicket, India Cements who batted first after winning the toss, registered a match winning total of 253 runs for the loss of seven wickets in the allotted 47 overs. A late order flourishes by SS Kumar {42 in 40 deliveries} and HK Badani {24 in 20 deliveries} swelled the India Cement’s total.

India Cements were off to a bad start losing both its openers with 36 runs on the board. S Badrinath and R Dravid steadied the innings with well run singles and the occasional odd boundaries. Badrinath’s 90 came in 148 minutes and he faced 108 deliveries. It contained six boundary fours. Dravid’s essay of 63 contained four boundaries and a six. He was at the crease for 108 minutes and faced 77 deliveries. Both the batsmen were bowled by B Nehera trying to force the pace. Dravid was bowled round the legs, while Badrinath’s stumps were castled as he played an uppish expansive drive.

BSNL batting second found it tough going. Opener Mohapatra was run out while Arindam Das was swalloed by R Dravid of medium pacer Palani Amarnath. There were two more run outs – N Behera for 15 and A Kakkar for 23 – which did not help BSNL’s cause. One drop batsman – AG Kapoor – scored a sedate half century – 51 and was the top scorer. Skipper Joginder Singh scored a brisk 34 runs before he was caught at the wicket of L Balaji. SS Kumar and HK Badani picked up two wickets as BSNL fell short of the target by 25 runs to leave India Cements victorious.

India Cements by virtue of this win collected four points, while BSNL failed to garner any points from this loss

Indian Oil Corporation vs All India Public Sector Sports Promotion Board at Dharamsala.

The match was abandoned without a ball being bowled. Both the teams shared two points each.

India Revenue vs Indian Tobacco Company at Mohali : India Revenue won by six runs

AS Chowdhury’s 110 not out for India Revenue helped his team to win the game by six runs against Indian Tobacco Company at Mohali. India Revenue who opted to bat first after winning the toss were tottering at one stage with the score board reading 53 for 4. They had lost SA Chakravarthy {18}, AJ Shrikande {0}, HN Shah {0} and skipper AR Khrusaia {05} in a jiffy. AS Chowdhury in the company of AA Velsakar {41} steadied the innings through a fifth wicket partnership which yielded 86 runs. Another useful partnership of 45 runs for the sixth wicket in the company of wicket keeper batsman DT Patil {24| ensured respectability to India Revenue’s total as the sixth wicket fell at 184. 131 runs were added for the fifth and sixth wickets. Another useful half century stand of 63 runs for the eighth wicket in the company of Ankit Sharma {22} ensured India Revenue reach a match winning total of 255 for 8 in the allotted 50 overs. AS Chowdhury who remained unbeaten on 110 was the hero of India Revenue innings. He stayed at the crease for 198 minutes and faced 158 deliveries. His innings was laced with nine boundaries and a six. M Abid Khan claimed 2 for 52 for the India Tobacco Company

AS Joshi was the architect of India Revenue’s win in this game as he returned with figures of 10.0-0-54-4. India Revenue held its nerves to clinch a thrilling finish as it won the game by six runs. Half centuries by opener Mohit Sharma {61} and Parvinder Singh {51} went in vain for the India Tobacco Company. As long as Parvinder Singh was at the crease, Indian Tobacco Company had the win in their sight, but with his exit at 224, the hopes were dashed. 31 runs were needed for a win of 28 deliveries when Parvinder Singh departed. It was not an impossible task for the team as its tail was capable of pulling a win. Tight bowling and fielding ensured that the runs were not leaked and India Tobacco Company tried hard to eke a win, which was not theirs on the day. Finally they finished with 249 for 9 leaving India Revenue victors by six runs. AS Joshi claimed the wickets of Mohit Sharma {61}, V Tyagi {30}, skipper P Chawla {2} and B Kumar {6}.

India Revenue collected four points from this game, while Indian Tobacco Company gained no points from its loss

MRF vs ONGC at Vizag : ONGC won by 71 runs

Skipper G Gambhir {54}, GK Khoda {105} and V Kohli {73} ensured ONGC reach a total of 329 for 9 in 50 overs against MRF at Vizag. It was the first occasion that a team has posted a total in excess of 300 in the Tournament. Gagan Khoda was concerned in two three figure partnerships in this game – 106 runs in the company of G Gambhir for the third wicket and 112 runs in an unfinished stand for the fourth wicket with V Kohli. Gagan Khoda was retired hurt when he was 104 not out and his side’s total read 269 for 3. He resumed his innings at 306 for 7 and was finally dismissed for 105 with the team total reading 311 for 8.

Gagan Khoda was at the crease for 144 minutes and he faced 103 balls for his 105 runs. His essay contained seven boundaries and one six.

Medium pace bowler PK Dharma captured five for 75 in this game, the first five wicket haul of the tournament. MRF Skipper S Sriram deployed eight bowlers including himself. Vijay Dahia picked up two wickets conceding 40 runs.

MRF failed to reach the target set, despite a fighting century by skipper S Sriram who scored 108 runs. Y Gnaneshwar Rao continued his batting form to register another half century – 54. In the first game against BPCL he had made 53 runs. S Sriram and Y Gnaneshwar Rao added 107 runs for the fourth wicket. S Sriram waged a lone battle and was finally dismissed with the score reading 238 for 7. His 108 contained 11 boundaries and one six and he faced 104 deliveries. MM Patel {3 for 48], Ishant Sharma {2 for 58}, Sarandeep Singh {2 for 35} and Amit Sharma {2 for 53} shared the bowling honours for ONGC. When stumps were drawn, MRF had totaled 258 for 9 in 50 overs leaving ONGC victors by 71 runs. S Sriram’s hundred and PK Dharma’s five wicket haul were in a losing cause.

ONGC collected four points from this win, while MRF none from this loss.