post news network
Bhubaneswar, Dec 19: Orissa entered the semifinals of the National Visually-Impaired cricket tournament after registering Saturday an emphatic nine-wicket victory over Rajasthan in their third and last league match at Gurgaon. They will meet Gujarat in the semifinal Sunday.
Opting to bat first, Rajasthan scored 102 all out in 20 overs. Barring Brajaraj (18) nobody else could impress with the bat. Nakul Gadnayak emerged the best bowler for Orissa capturing three wickets. Orissa had no trouble as they knocked off the total only in 13 overs for the loss of only one wicket. Sukhram Majhi (42) continued with his splendid batting form to lead the chase.
Rajat shines
Rajat Das (73, 194b, 8×4) hit a patient half century to help Orissa score 257 for the loss of eight wickets on day one of their three-day match against Jharkhand in the U-16 Vijay Merchant Trophy at Jamshedpur, Saturday.
Opting to bat first, Orissa started poorly and were reduced to 56 for four. But Rajat along with Soumya S Kumar (34, 87b, 6×4) resurrected the innings adding 60 runs for the fifth wicket. Pritam Jena (41, 101b, 4×4) and Kshyamasagar Bal (30 batting, 54b, 4×4) also made useful contributions lower down the order to take them past the 250-run mark.
At stumps, Rajesh Mohanty (14 batting, 20b, 3×4) was giving Kshyamasagar company.
