Punjab storm into final

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 22

Skipper Karan Kaila led from the front with a six-for as Punjab bowled out hosts Vidarbha for just 87 runs to register a mammoth 617-run victory in the Col CK Nayudu Trophy semifinals at the VCA Ground in Nagpur today. 

Punjab will play its maiden CK Nayudu Trophy final against Andhra, which beat Gujarat by an innings and 10 runs at the Sardar Patel Stadium in Valsad.  

Chasing 705 runs for victory on the final day, Vidarbha dished out a listless performance as they lasted just 40.1 overs. 

The hosts started off aggressively as SR Ramaswamy and SO Katariya clubbed 25 in three overs.

Katariya, who replaced SK Wath at the top, smashed 19 runs off eight balls, including three boundaries and a six, before holding out to Anmolpreet Singh off Kaila. 

Ramaswamy and AG Agarwal treaded with caution, adding 27 runs in  next 9.5 overs. But an arm-ball from left-arm Kaila brought an end to the partnership as Ramaswamy was caught in front after scoring 22 runs. 

His wicket triggered a collapse as the hosts lost the next eight wickets for just 27 runs. 

Agarwal was the last wicket to go, scoring 13 runs off 110 balls. He was caught by substitute Navneet Virk off Kaila.    

The only other batsman to enter the double digits was MR Kale (17). 

For the visitors, Kaila claimed 6/39, while Vinay Choudhary bagged two wickets.   

Earlier resuming at overnight 256/2, Punjab lost Shivluv Sabharwal for the addition of just 17 runs.

Sabharwal, who returned unbeaten on 121 last evening, was caught by AG Aggarwal off PR Rakhade for 134. 

Anmolpreet Singh missed his century by eight runs as he was snapped by Kataria off RK Chaudhary for 92.

His 103-ball stay in the middle included 11 boundaries and five sixes.  

ARK Malhotra (11) and Karan Kaila (7) departed in quick succession. However, Nikhil Chaudhary and Arpit Pannu added 44 runs for the seventh wicket to stretch the total to 372 runs. 

Nikhil was finally caught by DG Nalkande off Rakhade for 57 off 45 balls.  

Pannu was then joined by Vinay Chaudhary and the duo put on 39 for the next wicket. Pannu was caught by Nalkande off Rakhade for 22.  

Vinay was next to go, caught by AV Wadekar off Chaudhary for 54. 

Last man in Sukhwinder Singh played a brief cameo of 25 off 17 balls before being trapped in front by Rakhade. 

For Vidarbha, Rakhade returned with figures of 7/130, while RK grabbed 3/172.

The final will be played at Dhruv Pandove Stadium in Patiala from February 28.

Brief scores

Punjab 480 and 470 all out (Shivluv Sabharwal 134, Anmolpreet Singh 92; 

PR Rekhade 7/130) vs Vidarbha 1st innings 246 and 87 (SR Ramaswamy 22, SO Katariya 19; Karan Kaila 6/39)