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Journalism of Courage
In the 13th over of the Baroda chase, all-rounder Deepak Hooda replaced Yusuf Pathan at the crease. The handful spectators chanted the 20-year-old IPL star’s name as he took guard. Hooda walked out to the middle with intent and took his time before facing the first delivery. A scratch of the popping crease, couple of mini squats with hands resting on the bat’s handle and Hooda was ready. Facing Nikit Dhumal, the right-hander was confident from ball one. Middling every delivery directed at his stumps. In similar fashion, Hooda build his innings, single by single.
Hooda, however, was prepared. Prepared for a grind in the middle. After his 76-ball 50 against Delhi earlier in the tournament at this venue, the youngster had a fair bit of idea about how the pitch would behave. He was watchful against Domnic Muthuswami – Maharashtra’s bowler of the afternoon. The seamer bowled consistent lines and kept Baroda under pressure with a fine opening spell of 6-2-9-1.
Hooda and his partner Aditya Waghmode didn’t mind playing him out and were happy to deal in singles during his overs before the former cut loose. On the second delivery of the the 21st over, Hooda picked one effortlessly off his pads and the ball sailed over the ropes. That was the first and last moment of intent during the Hooda-Waghmode unbeaten 132-run stand.
It was a chance less stand to say the least where both batsmen where in complete control of the proceedings. Hooda matched his senior partners’s temperament over after over and remained on his toes for tight singles and the occasional doubles.
The duo showed, with the gritty stand, showed why they are the top two run-getters (Waghmode 305 and Hooda 195 runs) in the tournament for their side.
Before the batters sealed the chase, it was Baroda’s leading wicket-taker, also the third highest in the tournament’s list, who did the job on a very chilly morning.
Brief Scores: Baroda 177/2 (Waghmode 77*, Hooda 58*; Muthuswami 1/30) beat Maharashtra 176/9 (Tripathi 46, Khadiwale 36; Bhatt 4/30).
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