Maharashtra ends Uttarakhand's winning run

Once the chase began, Rahul Tripathi (51 not out) dominated the proceedings with fellow-opener Ruturaj Gaikwad (28 not out) playing second fiddle.

Maharashtra batsman Rahul Tripathi in action against Uttarakhand at the Airforce Complex Ground in New Delhi on Wednesday.

 

With Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra joining overnight leader Uttarakhand at the top of the table at 16 points, the race for the two qualifying spots from group ‘E’ league of the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament took an interesting turn on Wednesday.

Hours after Uttarakhand’s four-match winning streak came to a screeching halt following a 10-wicket drubbing by Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh escaped to a one-run win over Services to make the leaders’ group.

Maharashtra kept alive its chances when it cantered past a previously-unbeaten Uttarakhand. Toss once again proved crucial as Maharashtra bowlers made the most of the conditions. From 65 for three, Uttarakhand dramatically slumped to 73 for nine as left-arm spinner Satyajit Bachhav (four for 18) turned the tide firmly in Maharashtra’s favour.

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Once the chase began, Rahul Tripathi (51 not out, 28b, 9x4, 1x6) dominated the proceedings with fellow-opener Ruturaj Gaikwad (28 not out, 22b, 2x4, 1x6) playing second fiddle.

Hyderabad confined a winless Tripura to the bottom of the table by scoring its first win in five matches. Debutant Puducherry once again exhibited its fighting qualities before Baroda managed to cross the finish line in the final over with four wickets to spare.

With two rounds to go, UP, Maharashtra and Uttarakhand are placed in that order. Services and Baroda (12) are followed by Hyderabad, Puducherry (four each) and Tripura (0).

The scores: Uttarakhand 89 in 18.1 overs (Rajat Bhatia 28, Vaibhav 25, S. S. Bachhav four for 18) lost to Maharashtra 90 for no loss in 8.2 overs (Rahul Tripathi 51 not out, Ruturaj Gaikwad 28 not out) by 10 wickets Tripura 79 for nine in 17 overs (C. V. Milind three for 11) lost to Hyderabad 80 for two in 13.3 overs (Tanmay Agarwal 38 not out) by eight wickets Uttar Pradesh 138 for five in 20 overs (Samarth Singh 70, Rinku Singh 56 not out) beat Services 137 for six in 20 overs (Vikas Hathwala 39 not out, Rajat Paliwal 30, Rahul Gahlaut 27) by one run Puducherry 126 for five in 20 overs (Paras Dogra 41, Rohit Daggar 37) lost to Baroda 128 for six in 19.4 overs (Kedar Jadhav 51) by four wickets