Published: Mar 18, 2017, 05:34 PM (IST)
Edited: Mar 18, 2017, 05:34 PM (IST)
Bengal complete a 41-run win over Jharkhand in the second semi-final of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2016-17 at the Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi. With this win, Bengal have qualified for the final of the tournament, where they will face Tamil Nadu at the same venue on Monday. Bengal had earlier scored 329 for 4 in 50 overs. Openers Shreevats Goswami and Abhimanyu Eashwaran scored 101 apiece. They put up a 198-run stand, which set up the platform for the middle-order. Manoj Tiwary then continued the momentum, scoring an unbeaten 49-ball 75 to ensure Bengal put up a mammoth total on the board. Full Updates: Vijay Hazare Trophy 2016-17, Semi-Final 2, Jharkhand vs Bengal at Delhi
As far as the Jharkhand bowlers are concerned, Varun Aaron picked up 2 wickets, but also went for 89 runs in his 10 overs. Monu Kumar was the most economical bowler with figures of 1 for 40 in 10 overs. Jharkhand, in their run chase, did not get off to the best of starts. They lost opener Pratyush Singh for just 11. Virat Singh and Kumar Deobrat then made amends but could not get going. The experienced Saurabh Tiwary and skipper MS Dhoni joined hands. They added 54 for the fourth wicket, before Tiwary was dismissed for 48.
As soon as Ishank Jaggi came to the crease, Dhoni and he started going after the bowling. Dhoni got to his fifty off 43 balls and Jaggi soon joined him to get his fifty off just 35 deliveries. This partnership had given Jharkhand a glimmer of hope, but Dhoni was cleaned up by Pragyan Ojha for 70, bringing an end to the 97-run stand. Jaggi then followed him back to the hut, and any chances Jharkhand had of winning were diminished after that.
Jharkhand were eventually bundled out for 288, off the final ball of the innings. The Bengal bowlers put up a disciplined performance, with Pragyan Ojha being the best with figures of 5 for 71.
Brief Scores:
Bengal 329 for 4 in 50 overs (Shreevats Goswami 101, Abhimanyu Easwaran 101; Varun Aaron 2 for 89, Monu Kumar 1 for 40) beat Jharkhand 288 in 50 overs (MS Dhoni 70, Ishank Jaggi 59; Kanishk Seth 2 for 48, Pragyan Ojha 5 for 71) by 41 runs.
