VIDARBHA’S girls held their nerve to successfully defend their meagre total against Chhattisgarh and enter the quarter-finals of the U-19 T20 Trophy on Tuesday. Asked to bat first, Vidarbha could muster only 132-6 in their 20 overs at the LAD ground. Opener Arya Pongde top-scored with 33 while Akshara Itankar contributed a valuable 30 runs. Chhattisgarh got off to a quick start as their openers Chand Chelak and Geet Dahariya added 39 runs in 7 overs before the latter was retired out for 17. Yati Sharma and Chand took the score to 83 in 12 overs to raise Chhattisgarh’s hopes, but Chand was unfortunately run out by a direct hit from deep.

 

Chand, who scored 49 off 35 balls, was controlling the chase beautifully. Her dismissal changed the complexion of the game and Vidarbha bowlers, Yashshri Soley, Arya Pongde and skipper Shraddha Nabira maintained the pressure with their nagging line and length. Panic set in, and Chhattisgarh lost another wicket to a run out, ultimately losing by six runs. Arya Pongde was adjudged the Player of the Match. Vidarbha will take on Karnataka in the quarter-final at the VCA Civil Lines on Thursday. Brief scores: Vidarbha 132-6 in 20 overs (Arya Pongde 33, Akshara Itankar 30; Shreya Srivas 2-27). Chhattisgarh 126-5 in 20 overs (Chand Chelak 49, Yati Sharma 23*; Yashshri Soley 1-15, Arya Pongde 1-23). Result: Vidarbha won by 6 runs.