Bhubaneswar: Shreevats Goswami (79, 52b, 9×4, 2×6) and Vivek Singh (64, 43b, 5×4, 3×6) put on a century-plus opening stand as Bengal hammered Orissa by seven wickets in the Inter-State T20 cricket tournament at Ranchi, Monday. Earlier opting to bat first, Orissa in their allotted 20 overs had scored 157 for five riding on a brilliant innings from Rajesh Dhupar (90, 64b, 8×4, 2×6).
Chasing a score less than 160, never seemed a challenge for Bengal as Goswami and Singh went about their business in clinical fashion blasting the inexperienced Orissa bowlers to all parts of the JSCA International Complex. Singh, who made a comeback to the Bengal T20 squad after a gap of close to four years, was particularly severe on left-arm spinner Lagnajit Samal. He hit the bowler for two sixes and two fours as the Orissa player bled 30 runs in two overs.
Goswami also was at his fluent best hitting the ball to all parts of the park, his drives through the off-side being the hallmark of his batting. The two put on a stand of 134 in 13.5 overs and even though Bengal lost three quick wickets, victory was never in doubt for the Ranji Trophy semifinalists. Jayanta Behera and Abhishek Rout, with a wicket apiece were the successful bowlers for Orissa.
Earlier, Dhuper was the only Orissa player to shine with the bat for Orissa as irregular bowlers Writtick Chatterjee (2/25) and skipper Manoj Tiwary (2/23) applied brakes to the Orissa innings. They managed to cross the 150-run mark due to the efforts of Prayash Singh (20 n o, 14b, 1×4, 1×6) who played a cameo towards the end. The experienced Paresh Patel failed to make a mark being dismissed cheaply for one.
Brief scores: Orissa 157 for 5 (Rajesh Dhupar 90, Writtick Chatterjee 2/25, Manoj Tiwary 2/23) lost to Bengal 158 for 3 in 18.3 overs (Shreevats Goswami 79, Vivek Singh 64) by seven wickets.
Team announced
Orissa Cricket Association (OCA) announced a 15-members squad Monday for the BCCI Senior Women’s T-20 Plate Group-C League at Chennai, January 13-17. Madhusmita Behera has been appointed as the skipper, while Kadambini Mahakud will be his deputy.
The squad: Madhusmita Behera, Sarita Meher, Madhuri Meheta, Kadambini Mahakud, Rosanara Parwin, Pragyan Paramita Mohanty, Sushree Divyadarshini, Sujata Mallick, Rajashree Swain, Banalata Mallick, Priyanka Priyadarshini Sahoo, Anjali Singh, D Janaki Reddy, Reemalaxmi Ekka, Sumitra Sahoo; Coach: Rashmita Mohanty.
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