Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: Kedar, Aditya shine in Baroda win

SURAT: Baroda registered a 15-run win over Rajasthan in their Syed Mushtaq Ali Super League clash here on Thursday evening. Baroda posted a stiff total of 201 for 5 and then went on to restrict Rajasthan to 186/8. Openers --- Kedar Devdhar (64) and Aditya Waghmode (88) --- were instrumental in Baroda getting a solid start. They added 150 runs from 94 balls and their stand contained 11 fours and 8 sixes in total. Both Devdhar and Waghmode have been in good vein of form right through this tournament. While Wagmode has 324 runs from 7 outings, skipper Devdhar accrued 292 from the same number of matches. Devdhar was the first to reach his 50 off 34 deliveries in the 12th over. Waghmode soon crossed the half-century mark in 36 balls. Once the two departed, Baroda benefitted from the cameos of Deepak Hooda (14, 1x4, 1x6) and Krunal Pandya (16, 2x4, 1x6) to score 42 runs in the last 3.4 overs. Left-arm pacer Aniket Choudhary was the only bowler to have made an impression --- taking 2 for 27 from his quota of 4 overs. In reply, Rajasthan remained in the hunt thanks to opener Ankit Lamba’s 37-ball 54. In the company of Rajesh Bishnoi (25, 1x4, 2x6), Ankit added 70 in 7.1 overs for the second wicket. Ankit’s dismissal in the 12th over brought Arijit Gupta (41) and Robin Bist (22) to the crease. The two stitched a quickfire 55 from 5.5 overs but once they departed, their chase too fizzled out. Abhishek & Mandeep star in Punjab win: Openers Abhishek Sharma (72, 10x4, 2x6) and Mandeep Singh (81, 6x4, 3x6) were the standout performers as Punjab beat Jharkhand by 109 runs. Abhishek and Mandeep’s show with the bat helped Punjab score 199 for 4 and they then bowled out Jharkhand for just 90. Leggie Mayank Markande (3 for 13) shone with the ball for Punjab. Brief scores: Baroda 201/5 in 20 overs (K Devdhar 64, Aditya Waghmode 88). Rajasthan 186/8 in 20 overs (Ankit Lamba 54; Atit Sheth 3-34). Baroda won by 15 runs; Punjab 199-4 in 20 overs (Abhishek Sharma 72, Mandeep Singh 81). Jharkhand 90 in 14.2 overs (Markhand 3-13, Harpreet Brar 2-20). Punjab won by 109 runs