MONA Meshram led from the front with an all-round show as India Warriors recorded a thrilling one run win over Neco Master Blasters in their Women’s Vidarbha Premier League match at Vidarbha Cricket Association’s Stadium in Civil Lines, on Friday night. Mona’s cautious half-century helped India Warriors post 118-6 in 20 overs. Neco Master Blasters girls panicked in the chase and were restricted to 117-8. Neco opener Shivani Dharne was in a fine form as she hit three fours off three different Warriors bowlers to score 21 runs off 23 balls. Shivani was cleaned up by Dharvi Tembhurne (4-0-23-3) in the sixth over. Skipper-opener Shraddha Nabira stitched a 30-run partnership with Shivani. Shraddha hit two fours to come up with a 44-run partnership with Snehal Maniyar (32; 34b, 3x4, 1x6) before getting caught by wicketkeeper Latika Inamdar off Ayushi Thakre. Dharvi bowled Snehal on the fifth ball of the 15th over.

 

Diya Bhagwat (8; 13b, 1x4) was bowled by Mona (3-0-15-2) in 17th over. Nupur Kohale made 10 runs laced with two fours but was caught leg before wicket off Dharvi in the 17th over. Ashwini Deshmukh (3, 4b) was bowled by Mona in the 19th over. Shreya Lanjewar (1, 1b) and Arya Gohane (14, 8b, 1x4) lost their wickets in the final over. Earlier, Mona, who came at the fall of second wicket, hit a whopping seven fours and one six in her 53 runs off 41 balls. She was supported by Sai Bhoyar who hit three fours and one six to make 35 runs off 32. Sai was bowled by Gargi Banote in 11th over. Openers Kuntal Sharma (1; 15b) and Ayushi Thakre (0; 2b) went back to the pavilion. Ayushi was bowled on the third ball of the innings off Arya Gohane, while Kuntal was caught by Diya Bhagwat off Gargi. Wicketkeeper Latika Inamdar (13; 15b, 1x4, 1x6) and Dharvi Tembhurne (10; 12b, 1x4) strived hard to maintain a partnership with Mona, contributing 13 and 10 runs respectively. Sakshi Bhupal made four runs off three balls, she run out by Ashwini Deshmukh and Neco wicketkeeper Nihari Kawale on the last ball of the innings. Gargi (4-0-25-2) was the pick of bowlers for Neco, while Arya (4-0-28-1), Saloni Rajput (4-1-12-1) and Nupur Kohale (4-0-27-1) returned with one wicket each.