Rajasthan U-23's Col CK Nayudu Trophy Campaign on the Brink of Collapse
In a dramatic turn of events at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur, the Rajasthan U-23 cricket team's aspirations in the Col CK Nayudu Trophy have been pushed to the edge of extinction. As the penultimate day of the quarter-final concluded on Monday, Chhattisgarh solidified their dominance, leaving Rajasthan with a monumental challenge to salvage their campaign.
Chhattisgarh's Commanding Position Leaves Rajasthan Reeling
Chhattisgarh concluded the day at 154 for 5 in their second innings, establishing a formidable lead of 259 runs with half their batting lineup still intact. With only one day of play remaining, the hosts are poised to secure a spot in the semi-finals, effectively dashing Rajasthan's hopes of advancing in the prestigious tournament.
The standout performers for Chhattisgarh were Mayank Verma and skipper Deepak Yadav, who orchestrated a resilient partnership that has left the visitors frustrated. Verma, who had earlier scored 81 in the first innings, remained unbeaten on 82, while Yadav provided steadfast support with an unbeaten 51. Together, they have added 108 runs for the sixth wicket, rescuing their team from a precarious position.
Rajasthan's Early Dominance Fades Amidst Chhattisgarh's Fightback
Earlier in the day, Rajasthan's pace attack, led by Chetan Sharma and Ganesh Suthar, had threatened to turn the tide in their favor. The duo dismantled Chhattisgarh's top order, reducing the hosts to a shaky 46 for 5 in their second innings. However, the determined partnership between Verma and Yadav thwarted Rajasthan's comeback bid, shifting the momentum decisively in Chhattisgarh's favor.
In the morning session, Rajasthan's first innings came to a swift end as they added only 14 runs to be bowled out for 181. This total paled in comparison to Chhattisgarh's first innings score of 286, setting the stage for the hosts' commanding lead.
Brief Scores Highlight the Lopsided Contest
Chhattisgarh: 286 and 154/5 in 56 overs (Mayank Verma 82*, Deepak Yadav 51*, Ayush Pandey 13; Chetan Sharma 3-31, Ganesh Suthar 2-37).
Rajasthan: 181 in 75.5 overs (Sachin Yadav 75, Sumit Godara 28, Raj Sharma 24, Darshan Jain 19, Ganesh Suthar 13; Varun Bhuie 6-44).
The match now hangs in the balance, but with Chhattisgarh's substantial lead and limited time left, Rajasthan's chances of a miraculous recovery appear slim. The final day promises to be a tense affair as both teams brace for the conclusion of this critical quarter-final clash.
