Manish Pandey

Chennai: Canara Bank put runs on the board after being inserted, bowled with discipline and fielded well to defeat Indian Cements by 12 runs in the final of the all-India YSCA Trophy tournament at Chepauk here on Sunday.

While Canara Bank got the basics right, India Cements was undone by four run-outs in a critical phase of the chase. Arun Karthik (24), Hemang Badani (7), a well-set Suresh Kumar (45, 45b, 1x4, 2x6), and M.K. Sivakumar (4) were run out in succession as the side, chasing 189, found itself in a mess at 150 for six in the 27th over. Canara Bank closed out the contest.

Plot lost

India Cements had begun the pursuit confidently with openers Arun Karthik and Vasudeva Das (28) gathering 59 runs in 53 deliveries. Then, the side lost the plot.

Vasudeva Das was prised out by medium pacer B. Rajasekar and then the left-handed R. Prasanna was held at deep square-leg off Sunil Joshi. The experienced left-arm spinner bowled well, conceding only 22 runs in his six overs and creating the pressure.

Southpaw Sree Kumar Nair (48 not out, 42b, 1x4, 2x6) fought hard from one end but India Cements continued to lose ground. As the asking rate climbed, pacemen N.C. Aiyappa and Mansoor Ali Khan impressed at the death. The fielding backed the bowling.

Earlier, Palani Amarnath struck with the new ball, dismissing Bharat Chipli and K.B. Pawan in the second over. The paceman sent back C. Raghu in the fourth over and Canara Bank was reeling at 32 for three in the fourth over. The innings was revived by the strokeful Manish Pandey (39, 25b, 4x4, 2x6) and Deepak Chowgule (28 off 36 balls). The two added 61 runs in 46 balls for the fourth wicket. Pandey was adjudged Player of the Final.

India Cements fought back in the middle overs with off-spinner R. Ashwin sending down a tidy spell (26 runs in six overs) but Canara Bank made valuable runs through Anirudh Joshi – he chipped in with 27 off 29 balls – and a battling unbeaten eighth-wicket stand of 31 in 29 balls between Sunil Joshi (24 not out) and B. Rajasekar (19 not out).

Canara Bank’s Bharat Chipli and Mansoor Ali Khan were adjudged the best batsman and bowler of the competition.

G.M.P. Reddy, IPS, IG, Police, and Chief Security Commissioner, RPF, Southern Railway, gave away the prizes.

The scores: (Final): Canara Bank 188 for seven in 30 overs (Manish Pandey 39, P. Amarnath three for 41) bt India Cements 176 for eight in 30 overs (S. Suresh 45, Sree Kumar Nair 48 not out).