Published: Jan 06, 2018, 06:25 PM (IST)
Edited: Jan 06, 2018, 06:25 PM (IST)
Punam Raut‘s century and India Green’s strong opening partnership handed the team a 36-run victory over India Blue in the Womens Cricket Challenger Trophy on Saturday. Winning the toss at the Holkar Stadium, Indore, Anuja Patil elected to bat. Jemima Rodrigues opened batting with Punam, and both took the team off to a strong start, putting up a 112-run partnership. The pacers failed to get any breakthrough and it was a run out by Smriti Mandhana that broke the partnership, sending Jemima back for 52. Radha Yadav then struck twice in quick succession, removing two India Green batters in an interval of 4 overs and 7 runs.
Punam and Anuja then formed the next big partnership of the innings that added 87 runs. After India Green crossed 200, Radha further dismissed Punam for 101. The team could hardly put up any more resistance, getting to 232 for 8 at the end of their innings. Jhulan Goswam went wicketless, Radha was the best of India Blue bowlers with a 3 for 39.
India Green’s repeated attacks with the ball did not let the India Blue batters settle down. Wickets went down in regular intervals; Mona Meshram emerged as the only half-centurion while Tanusree Sarkar played a commendable 43-run knock down the order amidst the collapsing batting line-up. Anuja’s 2 for 37 was the best figure for her side and India Green restricted India Blue for 196 for 7 at the end of the innings.
Brief scores:
India Green 232 for 8 (Punam Raut 101, Jemima Rodrigues 52, Anuja Patil 44; Radha Yadav 3 for 39) won against India Blue 196 for 7 (Smriti Mandhana 37, Mona Meshram 56, Tanusree Sarkar 43; Anuja Patil 2 for 37) by 36 runs.
