Published: Mar 26, 2013, 08:07 PM (IST)
Edited: Mar 26, 2013, 08:07 PM (IST)
Birthday boy Unmukt Chand’s century went in vain as Kerala beat Delhi by six wickets © AFP
Indore: Mar 26, 2013
Birthday boy Unmukt Chand‘s brilliant century went in-vain as minnows Kerala thrashed Delhi by six wickets in a Super League (Group A) match of the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament here on Tuesday.
Put into bat at the Emerald Heights ground, Delhi made a commendable 195 for four with Unmukt making a brilliant 105 off only 67 balls with 12 boundaries and four sixes. In reply, Kerala knocked off the runs in 18 overs as Rohan Prem (92) and Sachin Baby (48) created a mayhem smashing 83 runs in only 6.2 overs.
Pacers Vikas Tokas (1 for 46) and Parvinder Awana (1 for 36) along with left-arm spinner Varun Sood (0 for 39) were handed out the maximum punishment.
The absence of crafty Rajat Bhatia, whose slower deliveries are the most effective in this format did harm Delhi’s cause.
Prem hit nine fours and three sixes while Baby, who will be playing for Rajasthan Royals in IPL, hit seven fours and two huge sixes.
On his 20th birthday, Unmukt helped himself to his maiden century in T20 format and did sent across a message to the Delhi Daredevils team management that he is ready to be a permanent fixture in the first XI.
The former India U-19 captain shared 123-run partnership with Milind Kumar who chipped in with an useful contribution of 48 off 33 balls.
Delhi will meet Gujarat tomorrow in their second group league encounter.
Brief Scores: Delhi 195 for 4 in 20 overs (Unmukt Chand 105, Milind Kumar 48) lost to Kerala 197 for 4 in 18 overs (Rohan Prem 92*, Sachin Baby 48) by 6 wickets.
