MP defeat Rajasthan in high scoring game

In a high scoring game, Madhya Pradesh defeated Rajasthan by 71 runs in the Central Zone Ranji Trophy one day match at the Jamia Milia college ground in New Delhi on Thursday.

As many as 605 runs were scored off 100 overs and only seven wickets fell during the day. Opting to bat, MP were given a good start by openers JP Yadav (37) and skipper Chandrakant Pandit (66) who put on 69 runs off 11 overs. Then Pandit and Amay Khurasia consolidated by adding 85 runs for the second wicket off 11.5 overs. Pandit was out at this stage. He faced just 51 balls and hit nine fours. Khurasia and D Bundela then got together and caned the Rajasthan attack during an unbroken third wicket stand that realised 184 runs off 27.1 overs. Khurasia remained unbeaten with 111, compiled off 178 balls with six fours and three sixes. The more aggressive Bundela cracked an unbeaten 98 off only 87 balls with the help of ten fours and a six. MP finished at 338 for two off 50 overs.

It is to Rajasthan's credit that they were not overawed by the imposing total. Skipper Gagan Khoda led the charge. After three wickets had gone for 94 runs, Krishnakumar and Khoda added 48 runs off nine overs. Then Sanjeev Sharma and the captain took the MP attack apart in adding 125 runs for the fifth wicket off 22.5 overs. Off the last ball of the innings, Sharma was out for 55 made off 73 balls with three fours and a six. Khoda remained unbeaten on 104, compiled off 117 balls with eight fours and three sixes.