Yadavs star as India Blue script a victorious Challenger Trophy

Punam Raut's half-century and Deepti Sharma's classy knock went in vain as India Blue registered a victory over India Red in the BCCI Women’s T20 Challenger Trophy in Alur.

Having won the toss, India Red captain Deepti Sharma chose to field first. As India Blue captain Mithali Raj didn't play, Anuja Patil was the stand-in captain in today's final. Unlike other matches, India Blue openers Hemalatha Dayalan and Vanitha VR gave India Blue a very good start. They scored 27 runs at the end of the powerplay.

India Red got their first breakthrough in the 10th over when Tanuja Kanwer picked up Vanitha VR. She scored a quickfire 28 off 25 with 2 fours and 2 sixes. Suman Gulia was promoted at number 3 but couldn't utilize the chance as she got out for 2.

Wicketkeeper-batter Taniya Bhatia played another classy knock of 28 off 17 with 3 fours and a six before getting dismissed by Shikha Pandey in the 15th over. Radha Yadav came at no. 5 and scored a quick 15 off 10 with 2 fours. Opener Hemalatha Dayalan played an anchor's role and scored a sensible 48 off 56 with 4 fours.

This was the first time in the tournament, 120+ score was scored by any team. India Blue put up a decent competitive total of 131 at the end of the 20 overs.

Shikha Pandey scalped 2 wickets while Ekta Bisht, Tanusree Sarkar and Tanuja Kanwer bagged 1 wicket each for India Red.

While chasing 132, India Red too did the same thing what India Blue openers did. Punam Raut and captain Deepti Sharma played brilliantly and scored 38 runs at the end of the powerplay. India Blue bowlers couldn't find a way to restrict them. They got their first breakthrough in the form of Deepti Sharma. She scored a wonderful 45 off 44 with 5 fours and a six before dismissed to Patil.

Radha Yadav picked up the second wicket of Mona Meshram for 6. Opener Punam Raut scored a classy half-century before getting out in the 18th over to Poonam Yadav. She scored 52 off 51 with 5 fours and 2 sixes. India Red got the big blow when Harleen Deol and Tanuja Kanwer got out on consecutive balls in the 19th over. Poonam Yadav changed the entire game for the Blue’s as she scalped Disha Kasat and Shikha Pandey in the last over and helped her team to win by 4 runs.

Apart from the openers, no other batter could reach the double-digit. Poonam Yadav scalped 3-wickets while Radha Yadav picked 2 and Anuja Patil bagged 1 wicket for India Blue.