Dharamshala: In a thrilling encounter Himachal Pradesh Cricket team has defeated Tamil Nadu by nine wicket. With this win Himachal Team is now top on the table in Elite Group B with 22 points. So far the Prashant Chopra led team has won three matches, drawn two and lost lone match in its six encounter.
Chasing 110 on the last session of the last day of the match opener Raghav Dhawan and Ankush Bains played aggressive cricket and pilled on 107 in just 15.2 overs. Bains was unbeaten on 64. He just played 38 balls and hit six fours and four maximums. Raghav Dhawan made 39.
Himachal started well in this match and bowled star studded guest Tamil Nadu, comprised of international players Dinesh Kartik, Abhinav Mukund and Vijay Shankar, on just 227 runs. Pankaj Jaiswal claimed three wickets and Arpit Guleria, Raghav Dhawan and Captain Chopra got two wickets each in first inning. The Team Himachal, in its response faulted in its start and lost three wickets on just 57. Opener Raghav Dhawan and Nikhil Gangta played cautiously and took team score to 137. Thereafter Ankit Kalsi joined Raghav Dhawan. Dhawan lost his wicket on his individual score of 71. Rishi Dhawan then joined Kalsi and took team score to 344. Rishi Dhawan added 75 runs. Kalsi scored his career best 144. Lower order Mayank Dagar and Arpit Jaiswal added important run to their team and helped team to take important 236 run lead.
Visiting Tamil Nadu again failed to put good show in the second lead as well and lost two wickets-Dinesh Kartik 1-on 90. Abhinav Mukund Captain Baba Inderjeet succeded in fending Himachal bowlers away and both played scored century. Inderjeet scored 106 and Mukund scored 128. Match was looking heading for insipid draw, but experienced Rishi Dhawan and Arpit Guleria took three wicket each and bowled Tamil Nadu team on 345.
Rishi Dhawan adjusted Man of the Match. He claimed four wickets in both inning and scored 75 runs in first inning.
