Shafali helps India ‘C’ win Challenger title

Chasing 132 in the final played at the Barabati Stadium here, opener Shafali smashed 89 from just 45 balls, an innings that consisted of 15 fours and two sixes, as India ‘C’ crossed the line with 28 balls to spare.

Earlier in the day, India ‘B’ posted 131 for six in its allotted 20 overs after winning the toss and electing to bat.

Pooja Vastakar came out with a late cameo (43 not out) and helped her team to put up a respectable total. She hit three fours and as many sixes, batting out 22 balls.

Manali Dakshini was the pick of the bowlers for India ‘C’ as she returned with figures of three for 15 while Dayalan Hemalatha and Rajeshwari Gaekwad scalped one wicket each.

India ‘C’, led by Veda Krishnamurthy, didn’t have any hiccups as the 15-year-old Shafali made light work of India ‘B’’s total.

Brief scores: India ‘B’ 131 for 6 in 20 overs (Pooja Vastrakar 43*, Manali Dakshini 3/15) lost to India ‘C’ 135 for 2 in 15.2 overs (Shafali Verma 89*).

Siddhesh replaces Divyansh in U-19 squad

India Under-19 all-rounder Divyansh Joshi has been ruled out of the upcoming World Cup following an injury sustained in the first match of the bilateral One-Day series against host South Africa. Divyansh dislocated his right shoulder after suffering a fall while India U-19 was fielding. The All-India Junior Selection Committee has named Siddhesh Veer from Maharashtra as Divyansh’s replacement.

Squad: Priyam Garg (captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma, Divyaansh Saxena, Dhruv Chand Jurel (vice-captain & wicket-keeper), Shashwat Rawat, Siddhesh Veer, Shubhang Hegde, Ravi Bishnoi, Akash Singh, Kartik Tyagi, Atharva Ankolekar, Kumar Kushagra (wicket-keeper), Sushant Mishra and Vidyadhar Patil.