Duleep Trophy: North and West Zones in semifinals

Express News Service

CHENNAI:  On a day when the game was of just academic interest, Shams Mulani (97) and Atit Sheth (102 n.o) of West Zone made best use of the opportunity to spend some quality time in the middle against North East Zone as the quarterfinals of the Duleep Trophy played at the MA Chidambaram stadium ended in a draw on Sunday.

Sheth punched the ball through the covers and brought up his hundred. Immediately after, the players started shaking hands, bringing the contest to an end. West Zone were 268 for 5 in their second essay when the play was called off just before tea. West Zone made it to the semifinals by virtue of their first innings lead.

On Saturday, West Zone did not enforce the follow-on upon the North East Zone side as their bowlers were tired. But one expected them to declare early on Sunday morning and press for an out-right win, but that was not to be. The Ajinkya Rahane-led team seemed to have been content to go on to the next stage with the first innings lead. Their lower order got some game time and a few players made an impact before the crucial semifinals.

“I think it was a collective decision from the bowling unit. Very tough conditions over here. It was hot and humid. So we thought maybe if we could have gotten them (North East) all out under 60 overs, then we could have bought a bit of practice and gone for a win. But since we bowled more than 80 overs or so, we thought that let’s take a break because it was quite hectic on Saturday. So that’s why we had a plan of batting again,” revealed Mulani.

Mulani who plays for Mumbai had a good partnership with Sheth and added 179 runs for the fifth wicket. The25-year missed a golden opportunity to register his maiden First class hundred. Mulani tried to nudge a ball to mid-wicket, miscued and the leading edge went straight to the hands of Bishworji. “Ya, we had a good partnership. Some of the batters on our side wanted a bit of rest, so we came in between and said let’s build a partnership and let’s just take the game to lunch time. Happy we did,’’ said Mulani.

’Would have been happier if I had gotten 100. But it’s a learning  process for me as well. How to play when you’re in the 90s and everything and this game was a good practice game for us because obviously they had a good bowling attack. Although the wicket wasn’t helping that much, they bowled well because the batters (West Zone) came in (after being out) and said they are on the money and bowling well. It’s a good start and hopefully this good form with the bat and ball continues,’’ he said.

North Zone qualify
In the other game, Yash Dhull’s 193 helped North Zone secure a first innings lead against East Zone in the quarterfinal in Puducherry and qualify for the next stage.

Brief scores: West Zone  590/2 & 268/5 in 64.3 ovs (Mulani 97, Sheth 102 n.o, Sangma 3/70) drew North East Zone 235 all out in 81.5 ovs; East Zone 397 & 102/3 in 21 ovs (Abhishek 50 n.o) vs North Zone 545.

<br /> CHENNAI:  On a day when the game was of just academic interest, Shams Mulani (97) and Atit Sheth (102 n.o) of West Zone made best use of the opportunity to spend some quality time in the middle against North East Zone as the quarterfinals of the Duleep Trophy played at the MA Chidambaram stadium ended in a draw on Sunday.</p> <p>Sheth punched the ball through the covers and brought up his hundred. Immediately after, the players started shaking hands, bringing the contest to an end. West Zone were 268 for 5 in their second essay when the play was called off just before tea. West Zone made it to the semifinals by virtue of their first innings lead.</p> <p>On Saturday, West Zone did not enforce the follow-on upon the North East Zone side as their bowlers were tired. But one expected them to declare early on Sunday morning and press for an out-right win, but that was not to be. The Ajinkya Rahane-led team seemed to have been content to go on to the next stage with the first innings lead. Their lower order got some game time and a few players made an impact before the crucial semifinals.</p> <p>“I think it was a collective decision from the bowling unit. Very tough conditions over here. It was hot and humid. So we thought maybe if we could have gotten them (North East) all out under 60 overs, then we could have bought a bit of practice and gone for a win. But since we bowled more than 80 overs or so, we thought that let’s take a break because it was quite hectic on Saturday. So that’s why we had a plan of batting again,” revealed Mulani.</p> <p>Mulani who plays for Mumbai had a good partnership with Sheth and added 179 runs for the fifth wicket. The25-year missed a golden opportunity to register his maiden First class hundred. Mulani tried to nudge a ball to mid-wicket, miscued and the leading edge went straight to the hands of Bishworji. “Ya, we had a good partnership. Some of the batters on our side wanted a bit of rest, so we came in between and said let’s build a partnership and let’s just take the game to lunch time. Happy we did,’’ said Mulani.</p> <p>’Would have been happier if I had gotten 100. But it’s a learning  process for me as well. How to play when you’re in the 90s and everything and this game was a good practice game for us because obviously they had a good bowling attack. Although the wicket wasn’t helping that much, they bowled well because the batters (West Zone) came in (after being out) and said they are on the money and bowling well. It’s a good start and hopefully this good form with the bat and ball continues,’’ he said.</p> <p>North Zone qualify<br /> In the other game, Yash Dhull’s 193 helped North Zone secure a first innings lead against East Zone in the quarterfinal in Puducherry and qualify for the next stage.</p> <p>Brief scores: West Zone  590/2 & 268/5 in 64.3 ovs (Mulani 97, Sheth 102 n.o, Sangma 3/70) drew North East Zone 235 all out in 81.5 ovs; East Zone 397 & 102/3 in 21 ovs (Abhishek 50 n.o) vs North Zone 545.<br />