New Delhi | Rishi Dhawan-led Himachal Pradesh registered a comprehensive five-wicket win over Uttar Pradesh in the quarter-final of Vijay Hazare Trophy 2021. Himachal chased down a below par total of 208 with 27 balls to spare and qualify for the semi-final.
Chopra misses century, Mavi’s hard work in vain
Opener Prashant Chopra anchored the run chase. Chopra batted with a strike rate of 70.21, facing 141 deliveries for his 99 but held on to one end till the 41st over. He also shared a 122-run partnership for the second wicket with Nikhil Gangta who scored 58 runs from 59 deliveries. In-form Rishi failed to impress with the bat as he bagged a three-ball duck. In the end, it was too late for Uttar Pradesh for a comeback as there were not enough runs left to create pressure.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar bowled eight overs and conceded 34 runs. However, he failed to pick up a wicket with the new ball and the old. Shivam Mavi got the wicket of both openers. Mavi was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets for 34 runs in his nine overs. Ankit Rajpoot also picked up two wickets in the match including the breakthrough of Gangta.
Rinku, Bhuvneshwar lead team to respectable total
It was a horrid start for Uttar Pradesh as they were reduced to 39/4 in the 15th over. Vinay Galetiya was menacing with the new ball, taking three wickets. Galetiya conceded just 19 runs in his quota of 10 overs and bowled two maiden overs as well. Akshdeep Nath tried to stitch a partnership with Rinku Singh but struggled to score and got out for 32 off 65 deliveries.
Rinku decided to stay in the middle for as long as he can. The former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) batter found support in Bhuvneshwar. India’s bowling all-rounder’s 46-run knock off 52 deliveries helped Uttar Pradesh cross the 200-run mark in the death overs. He had a chance to get to his half-century off the last ball but Rishi knocked over his stumps. Bhuvneshwar scored three boundaries and the only six in the innings. They managed to post 207 for the loss of nine wickets.
