IOC prevails over India Cements in final
New Delhi   09-Sep-2010

IndianOil pulled off an exciting three-run win over India Cements in the final of the Airtel Rajsingh Dungarpur Corporate Trophy at the ACA-VDCA stadium here on Wednesday. IOC made 268 for six in 50 overs and bowled out India Cements for 265.

India Cements openers Abhinav Mukund (45, 43b, 2x4) and K.B. Arun Karthik (49, 43b, 2x4, 1x6) gave the team a flying start, adding 81.

Left-arm spinner Rajesh Pawar had Arun caught by Wasim Jaffer while off-spinner Syed Abbas Ali removed R. Prasanna. Abhinav fell to a fine diving catch by Cheteshwar Pujara off Paresh Patel.

The slump continued as Dinesh Karthik was trapped in front by Abbas and K. Shri Vasudeva Das was stumped. Hemang Badani's run out pushed India Cements into deeper trouble before S. Suresh and Yomahesh joined hands.

With Suresh (46, 32b, 2x4, 3x6) employing the long handle, India Cements came within sniffing distance of victory. However, Suresh's dismissal in the 48th over bowled by Amit Doni saw the team finish agonisingly short of its target.

Earlier, the IOC top order clicked. Ravikant Shukla (60, 90b, 3x4) was in the thick of action again, though he was not as fluent as in the earlier matches.

Pujara on song

Ravikant's 78-run second wicket stand with Paresh (54, 4x4, 1x6) and 69 for the third with Pujara saw IOC dominate the India Cements bowlers.

Pujara (83, 90b, 3x4, 4x6), who scored at a brisk pace, was easily the best IOC batsman on view. India Cements medium-pacer Yomahesh impressed with three wickets.

The scores:

IOC 268 for six in 50 overs (Cheteshwar Pujara 83, Ravikant Shukla 60, Paresh Patel 54, Yomahesh three for 37) bt India Cements 265 in 49.2 overs (K.B. Arun Karthik 49, S. Suresh 46, Abhinav Mukund 45).