Left-handed batsman Prateek Yadav and skipper Amandeep Khare played pivotal roles as Chhattisgarh amassed a formidable 450 runs for nine wickets before rain halted play on day two of their semifinal clash against TNCA XI in the Buchi Babu cricket tournament at the NPR College cricket ground in Natham.
Yadav, who resumed his innings on 61, accelerated his scoring and reached his century with two towering sixes off left-arm spinner Ajith Ram. He displayed his aggressive intent, charging at the bowler for a long-off six and slog-sweeping over mid-wicket for his century off just 113 deliveries.
Yadav’s partnership with Khare, who had resumed his attritional batting from overnight, flourished to 164 runs. Khare, known for his patient approach, flicked Achyuth for a four through mid-wicket and cover-drove Sonu for a similar outcome. He also reverse-swept Lakshay’s off-spin to deep backward point and lofted it to long on for two more boundaries.
However, Khare’s innings came to an end when he mistimed a wide delivery from Lakshay, resulting in a sharp low catch by Mokit Hariharan at short fine leg. Khare departed with a well-crafted 97 off 267 deliveries.
Chhattisgarh’s innings was eventually declared at 450 for nine after 146.2 overs. Ajith Ram and Lakshay Jain were the most successful bowlers for TNCA XI, claiming four wickets each.
In the other semifinal match played in Tirunelveli, Hyderabad posted a total of 313 runs. TNCA President’s XI responded with 291 for six wickets at the close of play, with S. Rithik Easwaran (83 batting) and M. Mohammed (41 batting) holding the crease.
