Madhya Pradesh clinched a comprehensive seven-wicket victory against Chandigarh in their recent Vijay Hazare Trophy encounter, showcasing a dominant all-round performance. The match, held at the Sector 16 Stadium, saw MP's bowlers restrict the home side to a modest total before their batters chased down the target with considerable ease.
Chandigarh's Batting Collapse Proves Costly
Opting to bat first, the Chandigarh innings never gained momentum and was eventually bundled out for a mere 149 runs in 41.2 overs. The top order failed miserably, with opener Arslan Khan managing only 11 runs. A significant portion of the team's total came from a resilient 61-run partnership for the seventh wicket between Gurinder Singh (25) and Arshad Khan.
Arshad Khan emerged as the lone warrior for Chandigarh, playing a crucial knock of 45 runs from 63 deliveries. His effort provided some respectability to the total. However, the Madhya Pradesh bowling attack was relentless. Pacer Avesh Khan was the standout performer, claiming 3 wickets for 31 runs in his 8 overs. He received excellent support from Kulwant Khejroliya and Venkatesh Iyer, who picked up two wickets each, ensuring Chandigarh was dismissed well inside the allotted 50 overs.
Venkatesh Iyer Leads Flawless Chase for MP
In response, Madhya Pradesh approached the chase with confidence and professionalism. Openers Venkatesh Iyer and Yash Dubey provided a solid foundation. Iyer, in particular, was in aggressive touch, smashing 52 runs off just 44 balls, an innings that included 5 fours and 2 sixes, effectively sealing the match's fate early.
Despite losing Dubey (22) and Shubham Sharma (1) in quick succession, there was no panic in the MP camp. Himanshu Mantri (34 not out) and Sumit Kushwaha (31 not out) steered the team home with an unbroken partnership. Madhya Pradesh reached the target of 150 in only 25.1 overs, losing just three wickets in the process. For Chandigarh, seamer Arshad Khan took 2 wickets for 26 runs, capping off a good individual performance in an otherwise disappointing outing for his team.
Analysis and Road Ahead
This victory underscores Madhya Pradesh's strength as a balanced unit in the domestic circuit. Their bowlers set up the win, and the batters completed the job efficiently. For Chandigarh, the heavy dependence on lower-order batsmen to score runs is a glaring concern that needs immediate addressing. The team's top-order batters must take more responsibility in the upcoming matches of the Vijay Hazare Trophy to post competitive totals.
The comprehensive nature of this defeat, achieved with nearly 25 overs to spare, will be a point of reflection for the Chandigarh side as they look to bounce back in the tournament.
