Delhi team lifts the U23 CK Nayudu Trophy

Delhi wicketkeeper Anuj Rawat scored 75 that helped his side to clinch the U23 Col CK Nayudu Trophy. Delhi chased a modest target of 238 on the fourth and final day with five wickets in hand. The Mumbai team didn’t seem to put up a fight in the final encounter of this prestigious tournament at the U23 level.

Delhi finished day 3 at 123/2 with Rawat still at the crease on 68. However, his innings was short-lived as he was trapped plumb in-front after adding a meagre seven runs to his overnight score. His knock contained nine boundaries and a lone six off 87 balls before he fell to Sairaj Patil.

The little opening that Mumbai had was quickly overshadowed by the 4th wicket partnership between Rajesh Sharma and Jonty Sidhu. The visiting team were 189/5 when Sidhu was dismissed for 40. However, Dinesh More and Lalit Yadav took Delhi home with five wickets in hand.

Mumbai did not have much to cheer for in the second innings with Sairaj Patil being the only bowler to take two wickets. There was not much to separate among the two sides in the first innings as Delhi scored 260 as opposed to Mumbai’s 230. Mumbai couldn’t rectify their first innings errors and were bundled out for 267 in the second. Anuj Rawat was the star performer of the match with scores of 83 and 75.

Delhi’s fairytale in the domestic circuit continued as their Ranji Trophy team had also inflicted an innings defeat upon Bengal in the semi-final clash. It remains to be seen as to how they fare in the finals against Karnataka or Vidharbha.

Brief Scores:

Mumbai: 230 and 267

Delhi: 260/9d and 239/5 (Anuj Rawat 75, Sairaj Patil 2-57)

What was Col CK Nayudu?

CK Nayudu was the first captain of the Indian Test team. He was also made the captain of the Holkar army by the ruler and was conferred the honour of a Colonel in the rulers’ army. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan by the Government of India in 1956. His career spanned over 7 Test matches and scored 350 runs.

Written by Rishav Dokania