KEDAR Jagtap snared six wickets to bowl Yavatmal to a huge innings and seven runs win over Wardha in semi-final of the Khairagarh Trophy Inter-District Cricket Tournament organised by Vidarbha Cricket Association at Pooja College ‘A’ ground in Gondia, on Tuesday. In the other semis, Bhandara beat Buldhana by 3 wickets. In response to Wardha’s first innings score of 167, Yavatmal, who were 199 for 7 overnight, responded with 263 in 51.2 overs. Aman Khan (113; 126b, 12x4, 5x6), who started the day at 69, went on to complete his century. Jagtap (44) and Hemant Rathod (30) were the other notable contributors as the team got a substantial lead of 96 runs.

 

Jagtap (8.2-1-41-6), who took two wickets in the first innings, took six Wardha wickets sharing the new ball with Manthan Borundiya (7-1-33-3). They duo bowled well in tandem to shoot out Wardha for a mere 89 runs for a thumping win. Only two batters could score in double digits with Aryadeep Chaudhary being the top-scorer making 24. For his all-round show, Jagtap was named man of the match. In the other semis played at Pooja College ‘B’ ground in Gondia, Bhandara recorded a close three-wicket win over Buldhana to enter final. Batting first, Buldhana were all out for 110 in 31 overs. Bhandara did marginally better to score 125 for a slender 15 runs lead. In their second innings, Buldhana, who were 91-5 at stumps on Monday, folded at 152 in 32. 5 overs. Middle-order batter Aayush Rajdev (46; 54b, 8x4) was the top scorer.

 

Bhandara skipper left-arm spinner Aaditya Khilote (13.5-2-52-5) returned with a five-wicket haul and was well supported by Pranay Phulsunge (8-2-16-3). In Buldhana’s first innings, Phulsunge took a fifer while Khilote had picked three. Bhandara, who required 138 for an outright victory, got over the line making 139-7 in 29.3 overs. Bhandara lost two quick wickets but Govind Mehta (35; 50b, 5x4) and later stumper Updesh Rajput (49; 45b, 7x4) batted well to keep the team in hunt. Ashay Shelmake and Khilote remained not out on 6 each. Om Gayakwad (2-47) was the most successful Buldhana bowler. Khilote was named player of the match.