Merchant XI force draw against Rangnekar XI

Mumbai, Oct 25 (UNI) Skipper Siddhesh Kinlekar's splendid efforts with the ball went in vain as his side Khandu Rangnekar XI failed to force a win against Vijay Merchant XI in the Under-19 Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) trials for the Sportstar Trophy at the Elf-Vengsarkar CA, Oval here today.

Kinlekar applied the closure of his second innings at the overnight score, leaving Merchant XI a fourth innings target of 326.

Merchant XI made 241 for eight to force a draw.

With Digvijay Singh and Meghan Pednekar not able to produce a wicket in their opening spells, Kinlekar took the responsibility of making inroads and proved successful too. Bowling at medium pace, he dismissed his counterpart Tanmay Jadhav (35), Rajeev Kamat and Faisal Balwa.

Offspinner Siddharth Prasad also picked up two wickets, but Rahul Tondulkar and the lower middle order batted smartly to frustrate Rangnekar XI.

Brief Scores: Khandu Rangnekar XI 229 and 253 for 9 decl drew with Vijay Merchant XI 157 and 241 for 8 (Rahul Tondulkar 71, S Kinlekar 4 for 52).

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