Post-COVID Lockdown Ashit’s Fight goes in Vain on the first outing – Pondicherry loses to Kerala

Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2020-21 : Pondicherry Vs Kerala (Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai)

Mumbai, 11 Jan’21:

Choosing to bat first in the opening Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2021 against Kerala, played at Wankhede Stadium, though a right choice by the skipper, was not back by the sluggish middle order batting after losing both the openers before the 7th over.

After the departure of skipper Rohit for 12 being caught at mid-off, his partner followed immediately to leave the team in the hands of senior players Paras Dogra and Sheldon Jackson (17), who started off well with promising strokes, but for the wrong call resulting in the run out of the latter.  After the departure of Sheldon Jackson, the scoring rate dipped to a worrying level against an ordinary Kerala attack though the test star Sreesanth was leading the attack with 29 runs scored off his 4 overs.  Eventually, Pondicherry put up 138 for 6 off 20 overs.

ASHITH’S 3 WICKET HAUL GOES IN VAIN Chasing a target of 139, Kerala were off to a flying start with 52 runs opening partnership.  Ashith was the lone fighter with the red cherry to pose some threat to the Kerala batsmen with his 3 wicket haul (3 for 18 off 4 four overs) as the runs leaked in the first six overs proved to be too costly to restrict Kerala, who won the match by six wickets, reaching the target of 139.

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