In a major upset in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2023, Puducherry delivered a stunning 81-run victory over Bengal in a Group C match played in Hyderabad on Saturday, December 6. The spin duo of Jayant Yadav and Sidak Singh orchestrated the win, overshadowing a performance by veteran India pacer Mohammed Shami.
Puducherry's Competitive Total
After being asked to bat first, Puducherry posted a challenging total of 177 for 5 in their 20 overs. Captain Aman Khan led from the front with a blistering innings, scoring 74 runs off just 40 balls. His knock was laced with five boundaries and seven sixes. He received solid support from Jashwanth Shreeram, who contributed 45 runs.
For Bengal, the experienced Mohammed Shami was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3 wickets for 34 runs in his four overs. Off-spinner Writtick Chatterjee supported him with two wickets, though he proved expensive.
Spin Web Decimates Bengal's Chase
Chasing a target of 178, Bengal's batting lineup collapsed spectacularly, getting bowled out for a mere 96 runs in just 13.5 overs. The spin attack of Puducherry proved unplayable. Off-spinner Jayant Yadav claimed 4 wickets for 28 runs, while left-arm spinner Sidak Singh returned remarkable figures of 3 wickets for just 9 runs from his three overs. Adil Ayub Tunda and captain Aman Khan chipped in with a wicket each.
For Bengal, only opener Karan Lal showed some fight with a quickfire 40 off 23 balls. Apart from him, Abhishek Porel (11) and captain Abhimanyu Easwaran (12) were the only other batters to reach double figures in a dismal collective batting display.
Gujarat's Last-Ball Thriller
In another Group C encounter on the same day, Gujarat edged past Himachal Pradesh in a nail-biting finish. Put in to bat, Himachal Pradesh scored 193 for 8, thanks largely to Mridul Surroch's brilliant 88 off 48 deliveries. Innesh Mahajan (36) and Akash Vasisht (49) provided valuable contributions.
In response, Gujarat chased down the target on the very last ball of the match, finishing at 194 for 9. Captain Urvil Patel (39), Aarya Desai (37), and Saurav Chauhan (35) played crucial knocks in a team effort where no one scored big but many contributed. For Himachal, Mridul Surroch also shone with the ball, taking 3 wickets for 45 runs.
The results have significant implications for the group standings. Puducherry's comprehensive win over a heavyweight like Bengal marks one of the highlights of the tournament so far, showcasing the growing competitiveness in India's domestic T20 circuit.
