Vidarbha stand-in skipper Disha Kasat (126, 149b, 15×4, 2×6) slammed a brilliant unbeaten century as Vidarbha defeated Karnaaka by four runs and entered the knockout stage i Women’s Senior One-Day Trophy match at Chennai on Sunday. Earlier batting first Vidarbha scored a competitive total of 216 for 5 against table-toppers Karnataka.
Chasing a stiff target of 217 in their stipulated 50 overs, Karnakata were restricted 212 for 9.
In Vidarbha’s innings Disha gave a flying start with a 40-run partnership for the opening wicket with newcomer Snehal Maniyar (16: 41b, 3×4).
Disha faced 149 balls — almost half of the innings total deliveries — and remained not out on 126. in the process hammered 15 boundaries and a couple of sixes to return with an impressive strike rate of 84.56.
She became the first Vidarbha woman cricketer to hit a Twenty20 century on February 27, 2019, when she scored 113 not out off 63 balls against Arunachal Pradesh at the VCA Civil Lines ground.
Disha and in form batswoman Bharti Fulmali were involved in 90 runs partnership for the third wicket. Bharti contributed useful 41 runs off 64 balls.
Hitting four boundaries and a six. Chasing a target Karnataka opener S Shubha waged a lone battle with her fighting knock of 85. However, Vaishnavi Khandkar ran Shubha out in the 48th over which helped Vidarhba close in on crucial win. Shubha (85: 120b, 8×4) and No. 3 batswoman G Divya (57: 81b, 6×4, 1×6) had put on 90 runs for the second wicket, putting lot of pressure on Vidarbha.
However, after the dismissal of Divya, Vidarbha bowlers bowled brilliantly and made a fine comeback in the match.
At the end of the 42nd over, Karnataka were 175 for the loss of 5 wickets with opener S Shubha batting on 75. They needed 42 off 8 overs with five wickets in hand.
Vidarbha managed to take another four wickets as Karnataka came under tremendous pressure. Karnataka were 206 for 9 and needed 11 runs off last six balls to win the match.
Medium-pacer Gargi Wankar was given the charge to bowl the last over and she did a superb job and conceded just six runs.
Left-arm spinner Nupur Kohale once again bowled outstandingly and grabbed 3 wickets. Skipper Disha Kasat took a couple of wickets.
