Bharat Rangers record 44-run victory over Nagpur Heroz n By Paritosh Pramanik BHARAT Rangers defeated Nagpur Heroz to finish their league outings on a winning note collecting highest 12 points from seven encounters in what was the last league game of Vidarbha Premier League Season 2 here at VCA’s Jamtha Stadium on Thursday evening. Already secured top position in the seven-team table, Bharat Rangers defeated Nagpur Heroz by 44 runs to make it to the qualifiers as number 1 team. They will take on Pagariya Strikers in Qualifier 1 on Friday evening. The Eliminator 1 will be played between third placed Orange Tigers and Nagpur Heroz on Friday afternoon. Electing to bat first, Bharat Rangers rode on Jagjot Sasan (62*) and Varun Bisht’s (48*) 96 runs unbeaten partnership for the sixth wicket to post a competitive 184 for five in 20 overs. In reply, Nagpur Heroz made 140-9 in 17.5 overs. Siddhant Muley retired hurt. Inkoor Singh Bhamra worked hard for Nagpur Heroz with his 34-ball 38 runs but he did not get support from other end as Bharat Rangers bowlers struck in unison taking wickets at regular intervals. Hard-hitting batter Apoorv Wankhade entertained the crowd with 10-ball 24 laced with three sixes and a boundary but Nachiket Bhute cleaned him up as Nagpur Heroz’s hopes of a win evaporated.

 

Sasan and Varun Bisht were the linchpin of Bharat Rangers’ win. The team was at a precarious 88-5 in 12.4 overs when the two batters slogged rival bowlers to take them to a competitive 184-5 in 20. Sasan’s unbeaten 62 (36b, 5x4, 3x6) and Bisht’s powerful undefeated 48 (25b, 2x4, 5x6) pulled Bharat Rangers from the slump as the two remained unseparated adding 96 runs for the sixth wicket from 44 deliveries. Sasan’s innings was admirable as he first stemmed the fall of wickets scoring runs in singles and doubles and then with Bisht, he unleashed his power to hit three sixes and five boundaries. Atharva Taide started well with Vedant Jajoo being the mute spectator watching his captain hitting boundaries with ease. But, going for a non-existent run, Taide lost his wicket as he got run out in the fifth over. His departure saw Rangers losing wickets in heap as they crawled to 64-4 in nine overs from 55-2 in powerplay. Sasan then started the repair job. The arrival of hard-hitter Bisht brought life in their innings. The batter hit three successive sixes off Rajneesh Gurbani to increase the scoring rate. Sasan, too, freed his arms hitting a straight six to Tejas Soni in the 17th over and then in the next over collected a boundary from Umesh Yadav bowling. Bharat Rangers picked 17 runs each from 18th and 19th overs and then 16 from the last over to move to a challenging total.