Minnu Mani, Ayushi Soni star as India B register easy win over India A

An all-round performance from India B helped them win the first T20 game with ease by three wickets to start the Under-23 T20 Challenger Trophy at Siechem Stadium in Puducherry on Wednesday (December 11) on a high note. Minnu Mani scalped 2 wickets while the captain Ayushi Soni starred with the bat for India B.

India B won the toss and chose to field first. Their decision became fruitful as India A lost their top three batters within 17 runs and that too within the powerplay. However, the youngster from Bengal, Richa Ghosh showed some intense in her 20-ball 15 knock, including 3 boundaries. Sadly, she too failed to stay long in the middle as a direct throw from Minnu Mani sent her in.

However, the situation became worse as India A lost another 3 wickets within 36 runs in 12.5 overs. Later, a 34-run eighth-wicket partnership between Monica Patel (17) and Kshama Singh (22) helped them to add some runs in their total on a pitch that was difficult to bat on. India A eventually put up 80 runs for 8 in their allotted 20 overs. Kshama Singh top-scored with 22* off 16 with 2 fours for India A.

Six bowlers had bowled for India B where Simran Dil Bahadur, K Anjali Sarvani and Rashi Kanojiya bagged 1 wicket each. It was Minnu Mani who scalped 2 wickets and also associated with 2 run-outs.

While chasing a below-par total of 81, India B also didn’t have a flying start. They lost Vrushali Bhagat and N Anusha very cheaply. Although Minnu starred with the ball and field, she also failed to score big and got out off C H Jhansi Lakshmi by giving a catch to Anjali Singh. They started struggling at 24-3 after 6.5 runs when the captain Ayushi Soni joined the opener S Shubha who was holding at one end, who scored 16 before getting dismissed in the 10th over.

After her dismissal, Simran Dil Bahudar joined Ayushi in the middle. She took the charge and started scoring quickly. However, when they both were looking stable in the middle, Simran got out after scoring a 15-ball 13. M D Sonawane, the leg-spinner picked up Tejas Hasabnis in the next delivery.

After that, Pratyoosha Kumar steadied the ship with Ayushi with a 24-run stand which was enough to get past the finish line for India A with 10 balls remaining. Ayushi Soni top-scored with 21* for her side. M D Sonawane picked up 2 wickets while Anjali Singh, C H Jhansi Lakshmi, Kshama Singh, Krutikaben and Amanjot Kaur bagged 1 each for India A.

Brief scores: India A: 80-8 in 20 overs (Kshama Singh 22, Minnu Mani 2-21) lost to India B: 81/7 in 18.4 overs (Ayushi Soni 21*, Maya Sonawane 2-15) by 3 wickets.