Kunnummal, Washington energy South Zone to ninth Deodhar Trophy title
South Zone 328 for 8 (Kunnummal 107, Mayank 63, Utkarsh 2-50, Shahbaz 2-55) beat East Zone 283 (Parag 95, Kushagra 68, Washington 3-60, Koushik 2-49) by 45 runs
Batting first, South put up 328 for 8, with Mayank Agarwal and N Jagadeesan additionally cracking fifties. In reply, Riyan Parag‘s 65-ball 95 and Kumar Kushagra‘s 58-ball 68 threatened to take East shut however the South bowlers rallied simply in time to bowl the opposition out for 283 and win by 45 runs.
The South openers Kunnummal and Mayank dominated from the outset with an 181-run partnership off simply 152 balls. Kunnummal’s innings was laced with 11 fours and 4 sixes. He did not maintain something again. Mayank was way more sedate, scoring an 83-ball 63 with 4 fours.
East, having not struck for twenty-four.3 overs, then picked two wickets in 11 balls, with allrounder Utkarsh Singh accounting for each openers. Sai Sudharsan fell cheaply, however Jagadeesan (54) ensured the momentum wasn’t misplaced. South did lose three fast wickets between overs 42 to 44, however a fast seventh-wicket stand price 42 runs between Jagadeesan and R Sai Kishore helped them recover from the 300-mark.
East’s chase hit the rocks early with their high three happening throughout the first 5 overs. V Koushik struck together with his first ball, eradicating Abhimanyu Easwaran for 1 earlier than sending again Virat Singh for six. Vidwath Kaverappa then acquired into the act to account for Utkarsh because the rating slipped to 14 for 3.
Sudip Gharami tried to regular the chase, first with Saurabh Tiwary after which Parag, however perished for 41 within the twenty fifth over. Parag and wicketkeeper Kushagra then acquired collectively to lift East’s hopes. The duo added a 105-run stand off 80 balls for the sixth wicket, with Parag doing the majority of the scoring. Having already smashed two centuries within the match, he was trying good for one more one when he fell lbw to Washington. When the offspinner despatched Kushagra packing as effectively, the tip was nigh.
Kaverappa took for the ultimate wicket, of Mukhtar Hussain, to offer South the Deodhar crown. Kunnummal was awarded Player of the Match for his century, whereas Parag was named Player of the Series.