Madhya Pradesh quick bowler Anubhav celebrates after taking a wicket throughout the Ranji Trophy match towards Andhra in Indore on February 26, 2024.
| Photo Credit: Shiv Kumar Pushpakar
Madhya Pradesh stormed into the Ranji Trophy semifinals for the third time in a row, defeating Andhra by 4 runs in an intensely-fought contest on February 26.
In pursuit of 170, Andhra resumed the day at 95 for 4 with the seasoned Hanuma Vihari (55, 136b, 5×4) round, and never many appeared optimistic about Madhya Pradesh’s possibilities.
However, player-of-the-match Anubhav Agarwal had totally different plans. The lanky quick bowler, who claimed three wickets in the first essay, made the most of the chilly and cloudy situations in the morning at the Holkar Stadium and bagged six for 52 to sprint Andhra’s hopes.
Quick wickets
Banking on the tried and examined stump-to-stump bowling strategy, Anubhav made inroads by dismissing Karan Shinde early on, and adopted it up with the much-needed wicket of Vihari shortly after he accomplished his half-century.
It was an attention-grabbing ploy by Madhya Pradesh as Kulwant Khejroliya troubled Vihari with bouncers and an occasional brief ball earlier than he was caught behind in Anubhav’s subsequent over.
According to Madhya Pradesh head coach Chandrakant Pandit, it was a acutely aware determination to ‘distract’ Vihari.
With the India worldwide again in the pavilion, Andhra misplaced couple of fast wickets earlier than Girinath Reddy and Ashwin Hebbar cast a 32-run partnership for the ninth wicket and introduced the crew nearer to the goal. While Girinath took singles, the seasoned Hebbar bade his time and accelerated the strike to put the stress again on the residence facet.
They seemed settled in the center, whereas there have been anxious moments in the Madhya Pradesh camp as neither Avesh Khan nor Kumar Kartikeya may present breakthroughs.
However, Anubhav got here to the rescue by tempting the settled Girinath to provide a nick behind the stumps, and opening up the recreation for Madhya Pradesh once more.
Khejroliya sealed the deal, trapping the seasoned Hebbar in entrance and ensured a come-from-behind win for his crew.
The scores:
Madhya Pradesh — 1st innings: 234.
Andhra — 1st innings: 172.
Madhya Pradesh — 2nd innings: 107.
Andhra — 2nd innings: Okay. Revanth Reddy c Mantri b Anubhav 9, D.B. Prashanth Kumar b Kartikeya 6, Okay. Nithish Kumar Reddy c Kushwah b Anubhav 20, G. Hanuma Vihari c Mantri b Anubhav 55, Ricky Bhui b Saransh 9, Karan Shinde lbw b Anubhav 14, Ashwin Hebbar lbw b Khejroliya 22, Shoaib Mohammed Khan lbw b Anubhav 0, Okay.V. Sasikanth c Dubey b Khejroliya 7, Girinath Reddy c Mantri b Anubhav 15, A. Lalith Mohan (not out) 1; Extras (b-1, lb-4, w-2): 7; Total (in 69.2 overs): 165.
Fall of wickets: 1-14, 2-20, 3-56, 4-81, 5-112, 6-118, 7-118, 8-129, 9-161.
Madhya Pradesh bowling: Avesh 12-3-27-0, Anubhav 19-1-52-6, Khejroliya 17.2-2-40-2, Kartikeya 14-1-34-1, Saransh 7-2-7-1.
PoM: Anubhav.
Madhya Pradesh received by 4 runs and entered the semifinal.
