In an exciting encounter, Vidarbha women lose to Madhya Pradesh by just one wicket in Under-23 One-Day League at VCA Civil Lines Stadium, here on Saturday.
Batting first Vidarbha made 107 all out in 50 overs. Openers Latika Inamdar (17, 29b, 2×4) Ashlesha Bhongade (12, 30b, 2×4) made 29 run partnership for first wicket. But then Vidarbha lost their wickets at regular interval. Nupur Kohale (29, 71b, 3×4) and Vaishnavi Khandkar (16) helped Vidarbha to cross a hundred run mark. For MP, Bharti Choudhary (3 for 23) was the pick of the bowlers. Charu Joshi and Saloni Dongre were chipped in with two each.
MP chased the target of 107 sparing one wicket and three balls. This time the the efforts of Vaishnavi Khandkar (4 for 16) went in vain. In their run chase, at one stage MP were reduced to 31 for 5. But then middle order batswoman Nikita Singh (46, 67b, 5×4) and Ananya Dubey (11, 28b, 1×4) played sensibly under the pressure situation. After MP losing ninth wicket on 102, Bharti Choudhary (5) remained not out and ensured a sensational victory. Opener Soniya Sharma (15) too batted well.
For Vidarbha, Vaishnavi was well supported by captain Disha Kasat (2 for 12) .In six matches Vidarbha have just four points to their credit with one victory and five loses.