Uttar Pradesh kicked off their Vijay Hazare Trophy 2023 campaign in dominant fashion, securing a comprehensive 84-run victory over Hyderabad at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot on Wednesday. The win was built on the foundation of four superb half-centuries and a disciplined bowling performance.
Batting Powerhouse: UP's Top Order Fires
After being asked to bat first, Uttar Pradesh posted a formidable total of 324 for 5 in their 50 overs. The innings was propelled by fluent knocks from the top order. Openers Abhishek Goswami and Aryan Juyal provided a dream start, stitching together a massive 152-run partnership in just 27.1 overs.
Goswami was the aggressor, scoring a brisk 81 off 81 deliveries, which included 10 fours and a six, before being caught off Md Arfaz's bowling. His partner, Juyal, played a solid anchor role, compiling 80 runs from 96 balls, with nine boundaries and a maximum, falling to Tanay Thyagarajan.
Middle-Order Acceleration Seals Big Total
The platform set by the openers was perfectly capitalized on by the middle order. Dhruv Chand Jurel played a blistering innings, hammering 80 runs off a mere 61 balls. His knock, studded with four fours and four sixes, included an 87-run stand for the fourth wicket. Captain Rinku Singh then provided the finishing flourish with a quickfire 67 from 48 deliveries, hitting six fours and two sixes to push UP past the 320-mark. For Hyderabad, Md Arfaz was the most successful bowler with two wickets.
Hyderabad's Chase Falls Short Despite Partnerships
Chasing a daunting target of 325, Hyderabad's reply got off to the worst possible start as Kartik Tyagi dismissed opener Abhirath Reddy for a duck. Tanmay Agarwal (53) and skipper Rahul Singh Gahlaut (32) then rebuilt the innings with a 94-run stand, the highest for their side.
Later, Varun (45) and Buddhi Rahul (47) kept Hyderabad's hopes alive with a 73-run partnership for the fourth wicket. However, the chase lost all momentum after Zeeshan Ansari removed Buddhi Rahul. The lower order crumbled under pressure, and Hyderabad was eventually bowled out for 240 in 43 overs.
The spin duo of Zeeshan Ansari and Prashant Veer proved decisive for UP. Ansari was the pick of the bowlers, registering excellent figures of 4 for 31, while Veer provided crucial support with 3 for 47. Kartik Tyagi also chipped in with two wickets.
Coach's Verdict and Looking Ahead
Elated with the performance, UP coach Arvind Kapoor praised his team's all-round effort. He specifically highlighted the batting performances of Goswami, Juyal, Jurel, and Rinku Singh for setting up the game. Kapoor also lauded the bowling efforts of Zeeshan Ansari and Prashant Veer for sealing a comprehensive victory in their opening fixture of the domestic 50-over tournament.
Brief Scores: Uttar Pradesh: 324/5 in 50 overs (Abhishek Goswami 81, Aryan Juyal 80, Dhruv Chand Jurel 80, Rinku Singh 67; Md Arfaz 2/...). Hyderabad: 240 all out in 43 overs (Tanmay Agarwal 53, Buddhi Rahul 47, Varun 45; Zeeshan Ansari 4/31, Prashant Veer 3/47, Kartik Tyagi 2/45).
