Bharti Fulmali’s cracking 94 ( 116b, 11×4) run knock and Vishnavi Khandkar’s four wickets propelled Vidarbha into 53 run victory over Tamil Nadu in Women’s Senior One-Day Trophy match at TI Murugappa Ground in Chennai on Monday.
Vidarbha won the toss and elected to bat first. They received early jolts when openers Khandkar (1) and Ankita Bhongade (2) returned to the pavilion cheaply. With Disha Kasat and Ayushi Thakare (9) losing their wickets, Vidarbha were struggling on 48 for 4. Then Bharti and Krutika Pophali rescued Vidarbha . Both made 94 run partnership for the fifth wicket. When Pophali was four runs short of her well deserved half century, Nethra L clean bowled her.
However from the other end Bharti stood firm. She got some good support from Nupur Kohale (14), Reena Paul (14) and Shweta Naidu (10) that ultimately helped Vidarbha to cross 200-run mark Unfortunately Bharti missed her century by six runs as she was caught by stumped Prvithra Sridhharan off KN Ramyashri. For Tamil Nadu, Niranja Nagarajan and captain Nethra claimed three wickets each.
In reply, thanks to Vaishnavi (4 for 36), Tamil Nadu were all out for 154 in 45.2 overs. Niranja Nagarajan (41, 78b, 3×4), opener A Eloski (30, 62b, 2×4) S Anusha (22) showed some resistance but in vain. Vaishnavi was well supported by Gagri Wankar (2 for 16). Nupur Kohale and Disha Kasat were chipped in with one each,