Pandey’s 104 helps India ‘Red’ beat Tamil Nadu by 32 runs

Visakhapatnam, March 26 (IANS) Batsman Manish Pandey scored 104 as India 'Red' registered a 32-run win over Tamil Nadu in a Deodhar Trophy cricket tournament match at the ACA-VDCA cricket stadium here on Sunday.

The Karnataka right-hander spanked five fours and four sixes off the 110 deliveries he faced as he powered India 'Red' to 316/8 in 50 overs.

In reply, Kaushik Gandhi (124) and N. Jagadeesan (54) set up a rock solid base for Tamil Nadu with a 114-run second-wicket stand. But Tamil Nadu couldn't sustain the momentum and could only score 284 before being bundled out in 48.4 overs.

India 'Red' secured their spot in the final, having also defeated India 'Blue' in the opener.'

Tamil Nadu could only one strong partnership, while their next best stand came only for 60 runs between Kaushik and Vijay Shankar (27) for the fourth wicket.

For India 'B', Dhawal Kulkarni and Axar Patel took three wickets each, while Kulwant Khejroliya and Chama Milind picked up two wickets apiece.

On the other hand, India 'Red' rode on two strong partnerships, both involving Pandey. Shikhar Dhawan (50) and Pandey shared a 86-run stand for the second wicket to put their side at 100/2. However, left-arm spinner Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore brought things back for Tamil Nadu by dismissing Dhawan and Gobind Poddar (7) in quick succession.

Ishank Jaggi (12) too fell soon, losing to W. Antony Dhas in the 26th over with India 'Red' at 138/4.

However, Pandey's presence kept India 'Red' afloat and he alongwith Axar Patel (51) pulled things back with a 98-run stand that put India 'Red' on the right track.

Later, Gurkeerat Singh (25) and Akshay Karnewar (28 not out) ensured that India 'Red' cross the 300-mark total which turned out to be a winning one.

Brief scores: India 'Red': 316/8 Manish Pandey 104, Axar Patel 51, Shikhar Dhawan 50; R Sai Kishore 4/60. Tamil Nadu: 284 all out (Kaushik Gandhi 124, N. Jagadeesan 54; Dhawal Kulkarni 3/45, Axar Patel 3/53).