Ranji Trophy: Haryana races to eight-wicket win

Haryana made up for the delay in wiping out Hyderabad’s lower-order by chasing down the modest target of 85 runs in just 16.4 overs for a comfortable eight-wicket victory in the Ranji Trophy league match, here on Sunday.

Haryana's Mohit Sharma took a career-best five for 26 as he helped bowl out Hyderabad for 224.

Haryana made up for the delay in wiping out Hyderabad’s lower-order by chasing down the modest target of 85 runs in just 16.4 overs for a comfortable eight-wicket victory in the Ranji Trophy league match, here on Sunday.

When Haryana began its chase, the added point of interest was whether it could gain a bonus point, awarded for a 10-wicket victory. The fall of Shubham Rohilla in the eighth over meant Haryana had to settle for six points.

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Opener Nitin Saini missed his second half century of the match with just six runs needed to win. Saini hit six boundaries and a six but it was Chaitanya Bishnoi who put the finishing touches to the 74-minute chase and remained unbeaten on 20 off 23 deliveries, dotted with four hits to the fence.

Earlier, Hyderabad resumed its second innings at 102 for five and folded at 224 following an extended pre-lunch session. Though Haryana tasted success in the day’s first over, K. Sumanth and M. V. Milind batted without getting intimidated by the opposition’s attacking field.

The two played their strokes, Milind in particular, as 83 runs came off 152 deliveries much to the frustration of the Haryana bowlers.

Sunday proved an off-day for Man-of-the-Match leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal as he lacked discipline and could not add to his tally of eight wickets in this match.

Milind, who remained unbeaten at 66, hit 11 boundaries and a six during his 114-ball innings. Sumanth played his part to perfection for a fighting 55 before he was unlucky to get a leg-before verdict off Mohit Sharma. Off the very next ball, Vishal Sharma departed after being plump and suddenly, Haryana was eying an early finish to Hyderabad’s fightback.

Mohit, who along with Hyderabad opener Akshath Reddy was docked 20 per cent of their match-fees by Match Referee Rajiv Seth for being involved in an unsavoury incident on Saturday, claimed his fifth wicket by trapping Ravi Kiran leg-before. Mohit’s five for 26 was his best in Ranji Trophy, improving upon the five for 45 taken against Maharashtra in December 2014.

From 200 for nine, the last-wicket pair added 24 runs before Sanjay Pahal gained yet another favourable leg-before verdict.