In a stunning display of resilience, the Chhattisgarh cricket team scripted a remarkable turnaround by securing a nerve-wracking three-wicket victory against Himachal Pradesh in an Elite Group match of the Vijay Hazare Trophy. The high-octane clash unfolded at the Anantam Ground in Jaipur on Saturday, where Chhattisgarh successfully chased down a daunting target of 321 runs with just two balls to spare.
A Campaign Revived With Grit
This triumph holds special significance for Chhattisgarh, marking their second consecutive win after enduring a tough phase of three straight defeats. The back-to-back victories have dramatically revived their campaign in the prestigious domestic 50-over tournament, showcasing the team's fighting spirit and ability to perform under intense pressure.
Chasing Down a Mountain
Faced with a stiff target of 321, the chase was built on a rock-solid foundation laid by openers Ayush Pandey and A G Tiwary. The duo provided the perfect start, stitching together a crucial partnership of 139 runs. Ayush Pandey scored a composed 78 runs from 87 deliveries, while Tiwary contributed a valuable 67 off 74 balls, effectively blunting the early bowling attack of Himachal Pradesh.
Although wickets fell at regular intervals in the middle overs, threatening to derail the pursuit, captain Amandeep Khare played a blistering knock to swing the momentum decisively. His explosive innings of 72 runs came off just 52 balls and kept the required run rate in check. When the pressure mounted in the final stages, Ajay Mandal (35 off 34) held his nerve with a calm innings. The finishing touches were provided by Vasudev Bareth, whose unbeaten cameo of 21 runs from a mere 10 deliveries sealed the dramatic win, sparking wild celebrations in the Chhattisgarh dugout.
Himachal's Strong First Innings
Earlier in the day, Himachal Pradesh had posted a competitive total of 320 runs for the loss of 8 wickets, thanks largely to a magnificent century from Pukhraj Mann. Mann scored a brilliant 134 runs from 121 balls and was well-supported by Innesh Mahajan, who fell just five runs short of a century, scoring 95. The pair built a massive 178-run partnership that put the Chhattisgarh bowlers under sustained pressure and seemed to set the game up for a Himachal victory.
However, the Chhattisgarh bowling attack fought back in the latter half of the innings. Disciplined spells from Ravi Kiran, who took 3 wickets for 65 runs, and Dev Aditya Singh, with figures of 2 for 60, ensured the target did not spiral out of reach. Their efforts in restricting the flow of runs in the death overs proved crucial in the final context of the match.
A Testament to Team Spirit
This victory is more than just two points on the table for Chhattisgarh. It is a testament to the team's character and their refusal to give up after a string of losses. The win underlines their resilience and capacity to execute under pressure, setting a positive tone for the remainder of their Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign. The side will look to carry this momentum forward as they aim for a spot in the knockout stages.
