The spotlight at the Wankhede Stadium was always around the stumps today. With a former and present India stumpers featuring in the East vs West Deodhar Trophy game and the national selectors in the stands, the glovemen went under the microscope. Despite the attention, Parthiv Patel and Mahendra Singh Dhoni did not disappoint as they fought their battle in the middle of the East-West war. By the end of the day the verdict was out: While West were outright winners, for East wicket-keeper Dhoni the victory over Parthiv wasn’t all that conclusive. While Dhoni opened the inning to play a whirlwind 101 (102b, 11x4, 2x6), Parthiv got an opportunity late in the inning to score 24 from 12 balls in the final overs. But with the West keeper taking three catches and also effecting a smart stumping of East captain Devang Gandhi, the run difference between the keepers was bridged by Parthiv’s show behind the stumps. Dhoni believes that this rivalry has proved healthy. ‘‘It is good that there is competition amongst us as it helps our game,’’ he says. And this seemed evident in the way Dhoni played. He danced down the track while he cut and pulled the short balls. Meanwhile, Patel was his usual chirpy self during his knock. Quiz Dhoni and Patel if they were conscious of the fact that the other was literally breathing down their necks and they answer in the negative. As Dhoni puts it, ‘‘It doesn’t matter, on the field it is my own thing.’’ The other thing common to the two keepers’ is their will to bat higher up the order. Dhoni ‘claims’ he is sure of a No.3 place when India play Pakistan while Patel says he will bat higher all through this Deodhar Trophy. Keeping though is the number one priority for both the glovemen. ‘‘That is the only way to make a place in the team. Batting will always be a bonus,’’ says Parthiv. BATSMEN OF THE DAY DHEERAJ JADHAV & SATYAJIT PARAB The West Zone openers’ 258 runs stand saw break the Deodhar Trophy record for opening partnership. Jadhav scored 109 runs off 134 balls (9x4, 1x6) while Parab blasted 142 off 134 delivers (15x4, 1x6). Their association was second highest in India’s domestic first. The record stands in the name of MP openers — N Ojha and M Pasha — who put up 262 against UP in Ranji Trophy one-dayers. For both batsmen, ‘‘it was a highly satisfying knock’’ keeping in mind the coming season. Baroda opener Parab feels his first hundred in Deodhar Trophy should serve him well after a fabulous stint in Ranji Trophy this year. Jadhav, on the other hand, has managed to score most of his runs away from home, including Sunday’s Deodhar Trophy debut. BOWLERS OF THE DAY RP SINGH AND RANADEB BOSE Rudra Pratap Singh and Ranadeb Bose — the five-star performers for the day — both ended up on the losing side. Singh scalped 5/58 for Central Zone against South at Pune while Bose took 5/49 for East against West, in Mumbai. Singh is also the highest wicket-taker in the Ranji Trophy this season with a total haul of 34 wickets from six matches. VALIANT EFFORTS MS DHONI & SURESH RAINA While both ended up in the losing side, Dhoni and Raina turned out to be the entertainers of the day, blasting 101 and 94 runs respectively against their respective opponents. Dhoni’s knock came of 102 deliveries (11x4; 2x6), Raina missed his century, reaching his 94 off 95 balls (9x4, 2x6). BRIEF SCORES EASY FOR WEST West Zone: 306-7 in 50 overs (D Jadhav 109, S Parab 142, P Patel 24, R Bose 5-49) bt East Zone: 243 all out in 48.1 overs (S S Das 38, M S Dhoni 101, D Gandhi 34) SOUTH DOWN CENTRAL South Zone: 269-9 in 50 overs (S Asnodkar 53, V V S Laxman 41, Y Venugopala Rao 69, Rudra Pratap Singh 5-58) bt Central Zone: 262 all out in 49 overs (Amit Pagnis 23, Mohd Kaif 31, Suresh Raina 94)
