T A Hemanth Kumar and M Hemanth Reddy almost pulled off a miracle win for Andhra against Maharashtra on the final day of their Cooch Behar Trophy match at the DVR Ground in Mulapadu, Andhra Pradesh, on Monday.
Maharashtra, who needed just 135 runs for a victory, were reduced to 58 for eight before No.7 Arshin Kulkarni and No.10 Vicky Ostwal came to their team’s rescue. The duo added an invaluable 85 off 57 balls to help Maharashtra win by two wickets. In a match marked by twists and turns, the last day’s play was as engrossing as the crime thriller.
Resuming at their overnight score of six for one, Maharashtra batters were all at sea against the Andhra bowlers. Hemanth Kumar began the batting parade when he trapped Vaibhav Darkunde (0) leg before.
He then got rid of opener Aniruddha Sabale (7) to leave the visitors reeling at 21 for three. Things only got worse after that as Maharashtra found themselves on a sticky wicket.
Hemanth Kumar then packed off skipper SS Dhas (9) and trapped Harsh U Mogaveera (5) leg before.
Hemanth Reddy then got into the act as he trapped Digvijay Patil (1) leg before and two balls later castle AA Pawar (0) to leave Maharashtra staring down the barrel. At 27 for seven, the visitors were down and out.
Arshin and Ajay Borude (14) added 31 for the eighth wicket before Hemanth Kumar had the latter caught by SDNV Prasad.
At 58 for eight, no one gave Maharashtra a chance but Arshin and bowling hero Vicky then staged a remarkable comeback. They fought valiantly and conquered the Andhra territory. The duo proved impregnable as they took Maharashtra to 143 for eight. Arshin was not out on 36 off 38 with three fours and a six. Vicky struck six fours and six sixes in his 37-ball unbeaten 65.
Brief scores: Maharashtra 416 & 143/8 in 32 overs (Arshin Kulkarni 36 no, Vicky Ostwal 65 no; TA Hemanth Kumar 5/55, M Hemanth Reddy 3/58) beat Andhra 187 & 369.
