Date:13/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/13/stories/2008091356511800.htm

Sport - Cricket

Jaydev and Raghu shine

Special Correspondent

Chennai: Sourashtra’s Jaydev Niranjan Shah and C. Raghu of Karnataka made match-winning hundreds, here, on Friday, in the quarterfinals of the all-India Buchi Babu invitation tournament.

In the semifinals beginning on September 14, TNCA XI meets Karnataka XI at Pachaiappa’s ‘A’ while Gujarat XI takes on Sourashtra XI at the CPT-IP ground.

The left-handed Jaydev impressed for Sourashtra XI. His 129 (160b, 13x4, 2x6) was chiefly instrumental in his team surpassing Mumbai XI’s 333 at the Pachaiyappa’s ‘A’ ground. In a thrilling finish, Sourashtra XI went past Mumabi XI’s score with two wickets and sixteen deliveries remaining.

Solid start

Jaydev, son of BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah, and Chirag Raju Pathak (60, 150b, 6x4, 1x6) raised 150 for the opening wicket in 45.4 overs to lay a solid platform. Then, the fluent Ravindra Jadeja guided Sourashtra home with an unbeaten 55 (75b, 6x4). Rasiklal Makwana contributed a handy 37 for the winning team in a tight finish.

For Mumbai XI, paceman Usman Malvi’s four for 57 went in vain.

Raghu turned the game around for Karnataka XI with a valuable 101 (233b, 15x4) against Combined Districts at the ICL-Guru Nanak ground. Raghu and Deepak Chougule (40) added 119 for the fourth wicket in 44.4 overs. Earlier, Devaraj Patil notched up a 72-ball 50. Karnataka, chasing 241 for a win, was comfortably home with five wickets and 9.5 overs to spare.

Baroda XI falls short

At the CPT-IP ground, TNCA XI quelled a spirited challenge from Baroda XI. Pursuing the host’s daunting 364 for seven, Baroda XI was dismissed for a valiant 350 in 89.3 overs. Openers Satyajit Parab (58, 112b, 7x4, 1x6) and Anupam Gupta (41) put on 107 in 38.4 overs. There were useful contributions too from Pinal Shah (62, 78b, 5x4), Kethan Panghal (48) and Maitrik Shah (43).

Off-spinner R. Ashwin pegged away to claim four for 109 in a decisive bowling effort.

Hyderabad XI displayed less fight at the SRMC (turf) ground, getting bowled out for 260 while chasing Gujarat XI’s 331. Rushi Raj (49) and T. Suman (50, 86b, 3x4, 2x6) gathered 96 for the second wicket in 28.4 overs.

Annop Pai chipped in with 44 and Abhinav Kumar, 41. None progressed to a bigger score.

The scores: Mumbai XI 333 in 89.1 overs lost Saurashtra XI 334 for eight in 87.2 overs (Chirag Raju Pathak 60, Jaydev Niranjan Shah 129, Ravindra Jadeja 55 n.o., Usman Malvi four for 57).

Combined Districts 240 in 88.1 overs lost to Karnataka XI 241 for five in 80.1 overs (Devaraj Patil 50, C. Raghu 101, Deepak Chougle 40).

TNCA XI 364 for seven in 90 overs bt Baroda XI 350 in 89.3 overs (Satyajit Parab 58, Anupam Gupta 41, Pinal Shah 62, Kethan Panghal 48, Maitrik Shah 43, R. Ashwin four for 109).

Gujarat XI 331 in 89.1 overs bt Hyderabad XI 260 in 84.4 overs (Rushi Raj 49, T. Suman 50, Anoop Pai 44, Abhinav Kumar 41, Vishwajit Solanki four for 59).