BCCI Inter Corporate Tournament : Third Day’s round up

Out of the four matches that were played on the third day, only two matches were played, while one match was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to rain and the other game was cancelled due to the demise of Andhra Chief Minister Sri Y S Rajashekhara Reddy

India Cements vs Air India – Red at Bangalore : Air India Red won by seven wickets

SK Raina of Air India Red had other ideas when his team chased a formidable total of 244 in 47.0 over put up by R Dravid led India Cements at Bangalore. S Badrinath and skipper R Dravid were amongst runs again by scoring 91 and 66 runs respectively. They were concerned in a three figure partnership of 133 runs for the third wicket. They came together with the score reading 58 for 2 and forged an useful partnership with well run singles. Dravid played as an assured self and never hesitated to punish the loose ones that was served to him. He made 66 runs in a stay of 85 minutes and faced 72 deliveries. His essay contained four boundaries and a six. Badrinath, on the other hand, was more aggressive and hit eight boundaries and a six in his 91 which came in 127 minutes and 110 deliveries. Dravid was the first to go as he holed out to Robin Uthappa at long on when he tried to loft spinner Ajit Chandila when the score was 191. S Badrinath left soon after, at 205, stumped by NV Ojha for 91. After the exit of S Badrinath, India Cements innings were in disarray, as wickets fell at regular intervals. They lost five wickets for the addition of 37 runs. India Cement batsmen threw away their wickets in pursuit of runs and thus undid the work done by their two star batsmen – Badrinath and Dravid. They managed a total of 244 for the loss of nine wickets in 47 overs which was inadequate as the result of the match did not favour them. Medium pace bowler SA Netravalkar was the pick of the bowlers for Air India Red with 3 for 48 runs.

RV Uthappa failed to encash the opportunity as he made 22. He fell at 37. A three figure partnership of 109 runs for the second wicket between NV Ojha and SK Raina was the highlight of Air India – Red’s innings. NV Ojha was sedate and compiled his innings well. He lent support to SK Raina as the partnership flourished. Ojha’s innings of 59 was useful to his team. He was at the crease for 108 minutes and faced 75 deliveries. His innings was laced with five fours and two sixes. Both NV Ojha and SK Raina were circumspect early in their innings and blossomed once they were set. India Cements fielding was left to be desired as a couple of chances went abegging. Straight forward catches were spilled. Both the batsman encashed these chances and built up their innings which helped their team to win the game comfortably. NV Ojha was the first to leave when he tried to cut off spinner SS Kumar away from the body and played on to the stumps. Yuvraj Singh joined the SK Raina and did not let the opportunity go. He made a quickfire 39 of just 42 deliveries with five fours and a six, as the stage was set for him. The third wicket partnership between SK Raina and Yuvraj Singh produced 70 runs in even time. SK Raina and HH Kanitkar completed the formalities as the pair went past the total of 244 and took their team to a comfortalble win by seven wickets. This win gave Air India Red a semi final berth. S Tyagi was the successful bowler for India Cements as he claimed two of the three wickets that fell in Air India Red’s innings conceding 46 runs. SK Raina was unbeaten on 92 when his team coasted to a victory. He was at the crease for 139 minutes and faced 107 deliveries. He hit seven boundaries and two sixes.

AIR India Blue vs India Revenue at Mohali – Air India Blue won by 143 runs under VJ Method

Put into bat, in a match reduced to 42 overs a side, Air India Blue amassed the highest total of the ongoing tournament – 362 for one wicket. The three batsmen who came to the crease – C Madan, MS Bisla and MS Dhoni – registered fifties. The first named scored 74, while the other two scored hundreds. C Madan and MS Bisla were concerned in an opening stand which realized 162 runs and when the Air India Blue’s innings was closed there was another three figure partnership of the second wicket – 200 runs unfinished stand between MS Bisla and MS Dhoni. MS Bisla {152 not out} and MS Dhoni {102 not out} helped themselves with hundreds against a hapless bowling attack of India Revenue. As many as four bowlers conceded 50 plus runs. C Madan’s 74 came in 104 minutes, 84 balls and contained six fours and two sixes. MS Bisla’s 152 not came in 182 minutes, 113 balls and contained 14 boundaries and seven sixes. MS Dhoni’s 102 not out came in 76 minutes, 61 deliveries and contained seven boundaries and seven sixes. The lone wicket that fell in Air India Blue’s innings was captured by RH Bhadrapur conceding 60 runs.

India Revenue’s opening batsman AJ Shrikhande waged a lone battle by registering a hundred – 121 which came of 119 deliveries and was laced with 16 boundaries and one six. He was at the crease for 154 minutes. He was the seventh batsman to be dismissed when the score was 206. Wickets fell at regular intervals, as RP Singh and Pankaj Singh captured two wickets apiece conceding 24 and 34 runs respectively. AS Chowdhury {24} and AS Joshi {33} contributed to India Revenue’s total of 222 for 9.

Air India Blue won the game by 143 runs on VJ Method.

Tata Sports Club vs Indian Oil Corporation XI at Dharmsala : Match was abandoned with out a ball being bowled – Rain

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited and Oil & Natural Gas Corporation at Vizag : Play was called off due to the death of Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy in a helicopter crash.