Haryana virtually assured of title

Haryana took a first innings lead of 266 runs over Madhya Pradesh in the final of the Cooch Behar Trophy at the Deccan Gymkhana on Friday. Madhya Pradesh were shot out for 197 in 75.2 overs shortly after lunch on the third day. Haryana chose to bat again in the second innings and were 167 for one off 39 overs at stumps on the third day for an overall lead of 433. They are thus virtually assured of the title.

Resuming at the overnight score of 86 for two, the MP batsmen failed miserably to overhaul the massive Haryana total of 463. Mohnish Mishra (40) was the first man to be dismissed in the morning giving keeper Ajay Ratra his first victim of day when he edged an outswinger from Joginder Sharma. His fall ended a 71-run partnership for the third wicket off 23 overs. Mishra played 109 balls and hit seven of them to the fence. Maninder Singh, his overnight partner, soon followed, falling to the same duo. Singh scored 39 off 83 balls with six hits to the fence. The dismissal of both the overnight batsman triggered a collapse in the middle order, as they lost six wickets for 67 runs. Haryana took control and mounted the pressure on the batsmen who faltered against some accurate bowling. Amit Mishra tempted and toyed with the batsmen with his variations in flight and turn. The close in fielders were in business throughout the session. At the lunch interval, MP were reeling at 165 for eight off 63 overs.

The post lunch session witnessed a fightback of sorts by the lower order batsmen. Ambalal Patidar (28) and Jitendar Likhar (18) added 46 runs off 14.5 overs for the ninth wicket. MP were finally dismissed, 46 minutes after the interval. Medium pacer Joginder Sharma, a product of the National Cricket Academy, bagged four for 72. Amit Mishra bowled his spinners to good effect picking up three for 39. Ratra had a fine day behind the stumps, collecting five catches.

Despite having a big lead, Haryana chose to bat in the second innings. Openers Manvinder Bisla and Bhuvanesh Sharma put on 45 runs off 12.3 overs. Then Ambalal Patidar tempted Sharma with two flighted deliveries before trapping him leg before wicket with the third ball with a faster delivery that kept low. His dismissal brought in Sumit Sharma to the crease. Sumit and Bisla were concerned in an unbroken partnership of 122 runs off 161 balls for the second wicket. By stumps, Bisla was unbeaten on 96 off 134 balls with nine boundaries and two massive sixes. Sumit Sharma was batting with 51 off 65 balls, inclusive of nine hits to the fence.