The Hindu : Central pulls off a thrilling victory

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Apr 13, 2002

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Sport - Cricket

Central pulls off a thrilling victory

Jaipur April 12. Central Zone finally opened its account in the Duleep Trophy pulling off a two-wicket victory over South Zone on the fourth and final day here on Friday.

The thrilling victory scripted by Central despite conceding a first innings lead, pushed South Zone to the third spot in the competition. Central, which lost its last three matches, had just pride to play for and it did not let go of this opportunity and bagged eight points.

Set a competitive target of 250, Central Zone batsmen were up to the task with opener Jyoti Yadav topscoring with 69 and Gagan Khoda (38), J.P. Yadav (25) and Rohit Jhalani (27 not out) making handsome contributions. Central romped home in 63.2 overs losing eight wickets in the process.

South Zone had made 241 in its first innings and had taken a 48-run lead by bundling out Central for 193.

South appeared to be in good position at close of play on Thursday reaching 99 for two in its second essay. But when it resumed on Friday, it appeared a different side, slumping to 201 for nine with injured Vinay Kumar unable to bat. Sridhar Sriram, first innings centurion, was again the topscorer with 76.

For Central, Jyoti Yadav took three while K. Parida and R. Kanwat took two wickets each.

Central Zone was left with a sporting victory target of 250 runs in 66 overs, which included 15 mandatory overs. Later despite a five-wicket haul, second in the match by Suresh Kumar, Central reached its target in 63.2 overs.

The scores: South Zone — 1st innings: 241

Central Zone — 1st innings: 193

South Zone — 2nd innings: S. Sriram b Parida 76, M.S.K. Prasad (run out) 6, Nandkishore lbw b Kanwat 19, Arjun Yadav c Khoda b Kanwat 15, V. Bhardwaj c Parida b Jyoti Yadav 32, S. Sharath c Jhalani b Jyoti Yadav 11, H. Watekar c Jhalani b Parida 5, D. Ganesh (run out) 0, Suresh Kumar (not out) 7, Venkatesh Prasad c Parida b Jyoti Yadav 11, Vinay Kumar (did not bat); Extras (b-10, lb-6, nb-2, w-1) 19; Total (for nine wkts) 201

Fall of wickets: 1-8, 2-85, 3-111, 4-149, 5-169, 6-183, 7-183, 8-184, 9-201.

Central Zone bowling: Sanjay Pandey 3-0-17-0, Harvinder Singh 3-0-14-0, K Parida 19-2-75-2, R Kanwat 13-1-55-2, G Khoda 2-0-13-0, Jyoti Yadav 3.4-0-11-3.

Central Zone — 2nd innings: Jyoti Yadav c M.S.K. Prasad b Ganesh 69, G. Khoda lbw b Suresh 38, J.P. Yadav c M.S.K. Prasad b V. Prasad 25, Y. Goud b Suresh Kumar 18, D. Bundela st M.S.K. Prasad b Suresh 14, P. Sutane c sub b Suresh 16, R. Kanwat b Ganesh 11, R. Jhalani (not out) 27, Harvinder Singh st M.S.K. Prasad b Suresh 20, Sanjay Pandey (not out) 0; Extras (b-6, lb-3, nb-2, w-1) 12; Total (for eight wkts) 250

Fall of wickets: 1-83, 2-126, 3-156, 4-157, 5-190, 6-201, 7-207, 8-244.

South Zone bowling: Venkatesh Prasad 14-2-36-1, D Ganesh 12-2-47-2, Suresh Kumar 24.2-3-95-5, V Bharadwaj 3-0-20-0, H Watekar 6-0-29-0, S Sriram 4-1-14-0. — PTI

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