VIDARBHA boys topped Group A and entered semifinals of the U-14 Raj Singh Dungarpur Trophy (multi-day) by virtue of their superior run quotient even though they failed to garner first-innings lead over hosts UP. The three-day group league game between the two teams ended in a draw in Meerut on Saturday with UP taking home three points after their bowlers ensured a 20-run first innings lead. All three teams in Group A ended up with 4 points apiece at the end of group league phase butVidarbha with a run quotient of 1.595 topped the table while Uttarakhand (0.860) took the second spot. UP (0.768) missed the bus. The scenario in Group B was similar to Group A withall three teams finishing on 4 points each. Rajasthan (1.093) and MP (1.009) took the first two spots ahead of Chhattisgarh (0.898) on the basis of better run quotient.

 

Vidarbha will face MP, while Rajasthan will take on Uttarakhand in the semi-finals from May 15 to 17. Resuming on their overnight score of 93- 2, opener Manav Wakode, who was unbeaten on 40 overnight, batted freely and went on to complete a fine century (123, 201 balls, 4x20). Headded 90 runs for the thirdwicket with captain JayeshKumbhare (31) and 72 runs forthe fourth wicket with KrishSonkusre (30). But it was notenough as Vidarbha lost theirlast six wickets for 25 runs tobe all out for 280. UP captain Prithviraj SinghChauhan claimed five wicketsfor 45 runs to ensure a 20-runfirst innings lead, which, however, was not enough for themto qualify