Madras go past RBL

Needing 266 for a victory, Madras went about their task more methodically to achieve it with a lot to spare. In fact, their win was fashioned by two worthwhile partnerships, first by the two openers N.S. Negi and Chetan Bhatia and then Vikas Puri and Harinder Chaudhary.

The two openers hit the stuff out of a weak RBL attack right from the word go to post 98 with N.S. Negi (48) and Chetan Bhatia (41) returning to the pavilion in the space of three runs. Negi’s knock, coming in 36 deliveries, contianed two sixes and six fours while Bhatia took 31 balls for his 41 that contained six boundaries.

But once the two departed, the two new batsmen at the crease took charge of the proceedings to remain unseparated. Their stand yielded 165 runs and came in 25 overs. Wicket-keeper Jagdev Chauhan, who took three catches, besides effecting two run outs and a stumping, also shone on the day.

Earlier, despite couple of run outs, a valiant 100 by Rajinder Singh and some lusty hittings by Sapan Bajaj (39) and Rajinder Ahir (26) in the middle order saw RBL Group post 265 in their allotted 40 overs. Rodney Charles, Gagandeep Singh and Rama Shanker claimed two wickets apiece.

Winning the toss, Bright inserted RR Gymkhana who, helped by an unbeaten 100 by Gagan Malik, posted 230 for six. Chasing a none-too-easy target, Bright reached 233 for seven in 36.1 overs, thanks to Akash Malhotra (72) and Sanjeev Saini’s unbeaten 74 after they lost some quick wickets to be three down for 21. Neeraj Chawla captured two wickets, giving away 17 runs.

Brief scores: RBL (265: Rajinder Singh 100, Sapan Bajaj 49, R. Ahir 26, Rodney Charles 2 for 24, Rama Shanker 2 for 56) bt Madras Club (266 for 2: N.S. Negi 48, C. Bhatia 41, Vikas Puri 66 n.o., H. Chaudhary 95 n.o., R. Ahir 2 for 41). RR Gymkhana (230 for 6: Gagan Malik 100 n.o, Joginder Singh 20 not out, Akash Malhotra 2 for 47, Kishan Soni 2 for 28) lost to Bright Club (233 for 7: Parinder Sharma 38, Akash Malhotra 72, Sanjeev Saini 74 not out, N. Chawla 2 for 17).