TABLE toppers at end of the league stage, India Warriors maintained their supremacy to emerge champions in second edition of Women’s Vidarbha Premier League at VCA’s Jamtha Stadium on Sunday evening. It was a case of missed opportunities for Neco Master Blaster eves, who had started the tournament with a bang registering two wins in a row. A couple of run outs and a few dropped catches cost them the trophy. Electing to bat first, Neco Master Blaster scored a below par 140-8 in their stipulated 20 overs. With brilliant batting from Ayushi Thakre (65; 50b, 9x4, 2x6) and vice-captain Latika Inamdar (42; 31b, 2x4, 3x6), India Warriors romped home making 142-6 with two balls to spare. India warriors needed 56 runs in the last six overs with seven wickets in hand. Neco’s left-arm spinner Nupur Kohale (3.4-0-29-3), who had earlier sent back opener Kuntal Sharma (10; 11b, 1x4) with a brilliant caught and bowled effort, cleaned up Ayushi bowling her round her legs, igniting some hopes for the team. Latika, who was dropped for nought by Yashshri Sole off Shreya Lanjewar in the 11th over, unleashed her brute power hitting three sixes to team Warriors closer to victory. More drama unfolded as Arya Gohane accounted for Sai Bhoyar being caught by Ashwini Deshmukh with the team still needing eight from the last six balls. On first ball of the last over, Nupur had Latika caught by skipper Shraddha Nabira. Now, Warriors had lost two wickets in two balls and the equation was still — eight required. With two new batters at the crease, Neco once again were in the hunt. Dharvi Tembhurne (1*) took a single to give strike to Arti Bahenwal.

 

On her first ball, Arti converted a single into two on an overthrow and on the next ball, she whacked it over the midwicket fence for a massive six as players from the dug-out rushed to field to celebrate their maiden triumph with the two batters at the crease. Neco could have got a fine start but Nandini Pradhan dropped a sitter on the bowling of Arya Gohane giving a life to Kuntal Sharma when the batter and the team score was zero on second ball of the innings. Though the batter managed only ten runs before being superbly caught on her own bowling by left-arm spinner Nupur. The bowler timed her jump to perfection and held on to a sharp return chance (16-1). Other opener Ayushi mixed caution and aggression to perfection never letting a lose ball go unpunished. With Sakshi Bhupal (5), Ayushi took the score to 35 before the former was declared out lbw to Yashshri. Skipper Mona Meshram had an identical figures like Sakshi and was out to the combination of Nupur and leg-spinner Shreya Lanjewar. Then came the moment that could be termed as the turning point of the match. Yet to open the account, Latika was dropped by Yashshri on the bowling of Shreya. They were 77-3 in 13 overs and a wicket at that time would have put Warriors in serious trouble. Later on, Latika made them pay heavy price for it.

 

Meanwhile, Ayushi was going strong and completed her fifty. The small landmark came from 42 balls and contained nine fours. She celebrated her fifty with a six over cover in the same over. Electing to bat, Neco captain Shraddha (66; 48b, 8x4, 2x6) and Shivani Dharne started the proceedings. Shraddha struck a four in the first over but a bad mixup on a non-existent single, Shivani was run out. At end of the powerplay, Neco were 36-1 with Shraddha dominating the partnership with Ashwini Deshmukh. On first ball of a fresh over, Ashwini was trapped by Dharvi with DRS ruling in favour of the bowler. Left-handed Snehal Manyiar (8; 8b, 1x4) did not last long. Shraddha kept going before becoming fifth player to get out going for a huge shot. Nihari Kawale (16), Nupur (21) and Diya Bhagwat (12) scored in double digits to ensure the bowlers had something to defend. Mona (4- 0-19-3) turned out to be best bowler for the winners.