AT A time when most of the 15 year olds are preparing for their Boards, city’s Arya Pongde is etching her name in history books on cricket.field. The 15-year-old became the youngest woman player to represent Vidarbha Senior team and capped her debut with a fine 84 which won her the player of the match against Chandigarh as Vidarbha recorded a massive 133-run win in their opening Elite Group B match of the Senior Women’s One-Day Trophy in Vadodara. Arya, who had excelled in U-19 and U-23 age-group tournaments earlier this season, earned her maiden senior cap on Friday. She justified her selection with a splendid knock, smashing 84 off 72 balls, which included 13 boundaries and two sixes, after Vidarbha won the toss and elected to bat. She shared a 131 runs partnership for the opening wicket with Riddhi Naik (46).

 

Skipper Disha Kasat (75) and Mona Meshram then piled more misery on Chandigarh with a 137-run stand for the third wicket, powering Vidarbha to 304-5 in 50 overs. Vidarbha bowlers had no difficulty in defending the total. Komal Zanzad, Gargi Wankar and Arya Gohane two wickets each, restricting Chandigarh to 171-7 and winning the match by 133 runs. Brief scores: Vidarbha 304-5 in 50 overs (Arya Pongde 84, Riddhi Naik 46, Disha Kasat 75, Mona Meshram 80). Chandigarh 171-7 in 50 overs (Palak Rana 43, Sarah 37; Gargi Wankar 2-18, Komal Zanzad 2-25, Arya Gohane 2-39). Result: Vidarbha won by 133 runs.