UT's Lubana, Taranpreet deflate Sikkim

BHUBANESHWAR: The young Sikkim boys will remember this Col CK Nayudu Trophy outing for a long time. Not for the run-fest in Bhubaneshwar but the counter attack from Chandigarh centurions in skipper Amril Lal Lubana and opener Taranpreet Singh, that helped the visitors bounce back from a first innings deficit and register a thumping eight wicket victory on the final day.
Resuming the final day at a comfortable 369 for 7 and more importantly with a mammoth 427-run lead, the Sikkim Under-23 team lost their last three wickets with the addition of just 13 more runs. Despite that Sikkim were in a position to dictate the game after setting a 441-run target.
But once Chandigarh came out for the chase, there was no stopping the openers Taranpreet Singh and Tushar Joshi (25), who raced to a brisk 55-run stand before the latter was caught behind by Md Shahbaz off Parth P. Ayush Sikka (10) also didn't last too long as the combo of Parth and Shahbaz effected another successful dismissal to raise the hopes of the home team.
However, there was more twist in the tale once Chandigarh skipper Amrit Lubana walked in. Staying true to the words of their coach Amit Uniyal, who wanted his boys to go for the kill, the Chandigarh skipper started in customary style, before sending the Sikkim bowlers to the leather hunt.
"The plan was to win the game by all means. To stay in contention, we can't lose games and concede points. A draw won't help us either," Uniyal said.
"We planned to save wickets in the first half before accelerating. The bowlers did a superb job by bundling out the opponents in mere seven overs which gave us plenty of time and overs to stay in the middle," he added.
Sikkim's nightmare started when the duo of Amrit and Taranpreet got to their respective centuries. There was no help for the bowlers, whatsoever and the Chandigarh pair used the conditions to their full advantage and forged together an unbeaten 355-run third wicket stand to guide the tourists get past the target in style.
While Amrit successfully managed to get to his double century after facing just 163 deliveries and striking 22 fours and six massive sixes, the opener fell five shy of his double ton after facing 213 balls and smoking 12 boundaries and four over the fence.
Sikkim used as many as seven bowlers in the second innings but their economy rate reflected the kind of merciless hitting they went through. Parth P was the lone successful bowler with a couple of wickets.
With the win, Chandigarh gained six points to take their tally to 29 points in the Plate group and occupy the third position. The UT side will now return home to play their next fixture against Odisha from January 29 at the GMSSS-26 ground.
Brief Scores
Sikkim 1st innings: 231 all out
Chandigarh 1st innings: 173 all out
Sikkim 2nd innings: 382 all out
Chandigarh 2nd innings: 441 for 2: Amrit Lal Lubana 200 not out, Taranpreet Singh 195 not out; Parth P 2/114