IMPACT substitute Aryan Meshram showed how to bat on a double-paced track as he muscled his way to a fine matchwinning half century which helped Neco Master Blasters record their first win in the Vidarbha Pro T20 League on Saturday. Chasing 133 target posted by Nagpur Titans, openers Meshram (85; 53b, 9x4, 5x6) and Vedant Dighade (41*; 39b, 4x4) added 127 for the opening wicket hitting fours and sixes as they reached the target without much fuss. Nagpur Titans have now suffered two defeats in as many games. Left-handed opener Meshram, who took cricket seriously at the age of 16, had seen many a downfall.

 

 

He attended three U-19 camps but could not get selected, had fitness issues and could not perform in the Vidarbha selection trials matches in Bapuna Cup. But he did not lose hope and took this “God-send opportunity” to express himself. “I wanted to forget the past and grab this opportunity to express myself. I want to rectify my previous mistakes from here on,” said the 23- year-old Meshram, who belongs to a sportspersons family. His father Ujjwal was a cricketer and a bodybuilder while mother Shraddha was a national level basketball player. A well-built Meshram displayed his brute power as he smacked five huge sixes and nine boundaries in his 53-ball stay in the middle. By the 10th over, the match was fully in control of Master Blasters with 80 runs without any dent. Meshram then hit two sixes off Rohit Dattatraya in the 11th over and then Dighade picked a boundary in the next over as they crossed the 100-run mark.

 

Titans finally tasted success when they got Meshram in the 15th over. In an attempt to clear the mid-wicket ropes the Akola batter was caught by Rohit Dattatraya off Piyush Sawarkar. But that was too little too late as Neco Master Blasters crossed the line with nine wickets in hand and 25 balls to spare. Earlier, Neco Master Blasters bowled well to restrict Nagpur Titans at a gettable score of 132. Praful Hinge, who took three wickets in their match against Pagariya Strikers, once again maintained his line and length to take another 3-for. The two-paced wicket did not help Nagpur Titans batters as they found it difficult to score runs freely. Hitting boundaries was at a premium as they managed to score only nine fours and three maximums in their innings.

 

Captain Akshay Wadkar, who opened in the last match, dropped himself down the order and looked in good nick scoring 36 runs from 26 deliveries with five boundaries but he pulled his muscle while taking a sharp single and had to return back retired hurt. Titans lost three wickets in the powerplay and then crawled to 55 for three in the first 10 overs. Jagjot Sasan (45), who scored 56 in their opener, missed his successive half century while going for a big heave. But it was his innings which helped Titans cross the 100-run mark. Master Blasters bowled at a decent line with Sanmesh Deshmukh and Hinge troubling Titans batters in the powerplay. Titans were never comfortable in the middle and kept on losing wickets. Hard-hitting batter Shubham Dubey once again failed to make an impact and was bowled by Ananmay Jayaswal for nine runs only. Entry for matches is free at Jamtha Stadium. 

 

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WADKAR INJURED, MAY MISS TODAY’S MATCH 

 

 

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NAGPUR Titans skipper Akshay Wadkar suffered a serious injury during their match against Neco Master Blasters on Saturday. He was taken to hospital for an MRI scan and reports are awaited. It is unlikely that Wadkar would play Nagpur Titans’ next match against Orange Tigers on Sunday afternoon. Batting first, Wadkar was going strong and had hit a few boundaries when the incident happened in the 12th over. Wadkar went for a sharp single and it seemed he stretched his thigh muscle as he fumbled while crossing the line. Writhing in pain, Wadkar waved towards pavilion for physio’s help. Neco Master Blasters’ physio Dr Nitin Khurana was seen attending Wadkar on the field. The wicketkeeper-batter decided to continue but in the very next delivery limped to complete a single and decided to retire hurt.