Indian Oil Corporation beat Minerva CA for third place

Chandigarh, Sep 27 (UNI) A century opening wicket partnership between Cheteshwar Pujara (86,9x4s) and Mithun Beerala (49, 8x4s, 1x6) helped Indian Oil beat defending champions Minerva Cricket Academy of Chandigarh by 99 runs to determine the third and fourth position holders in the Prize Money 13th All India J P Atray Cricket Tournament at the St John's School ground in Sector 26 here today.

Invited to bat first, Indian Oil made 265 for four in allotted 50 overs. Minverva were then bundled out for 166 in 37 overs. Rohan Raje (3 for 47), Amit Dani (3 for 30) and Rohit Sharma (2 for 10) destroyed Minverva's innings.

Winning the toss Minerva opted to field but their move did not pay off as Indian Oil openers Pujara and Mithun Berrala put on 105 runs for the first wicket before Mithun Berrala was snapped by wicketkeeper Paras Dogra of the bowling of Vikram Malik for 49. Then Mandar Phadke and Pujara put on 95 runs for the third wicket before M. Phadke was caught by Sonkar in the covers of the bowling of left arm spinner K Dhiman for 48.

Pujara after making 86 was caught and bowled by K. Dhiman. Amit Dani remained unbeaten with 31. For Minerva K Dhiman (2 for 54) and V Malik (1 for 34) were the main successful bowlers. Indian Oil innings ended at 265 for 4 of 50 overs in 230 minutes.

Replying Minerva Cricket Academy folded for 166 in 37 overs in 186 minutes and left Indian Oil victors by 99 runs. Former Punjab opener Munish Sharma was the first to go when he was caught by Berrala of Rohan Raje without opening the score. Minerva kept losing wickets at regular intervals after Sumit Dhiman (28) and Sumit Sharma (26)put on 49 runs for the second wicket before both were run out.

Later, Abid Nabi scored a breezy half century (50, 5x4s, 3x6s) which delayed the inevitable for a while.

Rohan Raje , Amit Dani and Rohit Sharma were the most successful bowlers for the Indian Oil Corporation. C Pujara was given the Man of the Match Award by Vivek Atray, Director Public Relations, UT Chandigarh.

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