Sanjay steers TN to win over UP

Fresh off a blistering hundred against Bengal the previous day, the UP skipper clattered 61 off 41 deliveries after opting to bat, the highlight of his team’s 162 for 4. Tamil Nadu was driven by its top order, though it needed a cameo from N Jagadeesan to eventually get past the finishing line as it got to 163 for 5 in 19.2 overs. 

Sanjay walked in at 35 for 1 in the fifth over, Bharath Shankar having provided the early impetus with 30 off those runs in just 19 deliveries with six fours. 

Alongside Washington Sundar, Sanjay put on 64 for the second wicket, Washington a steady influence with 33 off 30 even as Sanjay raced away to 52 from a mere 32 deliveries, inclusive of two fours and three sixes. 

At 129 for 2 in the 16h over, Tamil Nadu seemed headed for a routine win when Ankit Rajpoot and Praveen Kumar joined hands to script a mini-collapse. The game was poised on a razor’s edge when Vijay Shankar, the skipper, departed for a second-ball duck, but Jagadeesan made 20 not out off just 11 deliveries with four fours to seal the deal. Raina had walked out in the third over after Vijay dismissed Samarth Singh, and proceeded to leave his mark on the proceedings. 

With Shivam Chaudhary (38 in 33) for support, Raina realised 70 for the second, then put on 53 for the next with Akshdeep Nath, who was unbeaten on 38.