In a dominant display at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, India B secured a comprehensive 83-run victory over India A in the opening match of the three-match Physical Disability T20 Series on Tuesday. The foundation of the win was laid by a sparkling half-century from opener Wasim Iqbal.
Iqbal and Keni Set Up Commanding Total
After being asked to field first, India A found it difficult to contain the India B batters. Wasim Iqbal played a match-defining knock of 66 runs from just 51 deliveries, an innings laced with five boundaries and seven towering sixes. He found a reliable partner in Vikrant Keni, and together they stitched a crucial 77-run partnership for the second wicket, putting India B in a strong position.
Despite losing wickets at regular intervals after that stand, India B managed to post a competitive total. GS Shiva provided valuable support with a brisk 41, helping the team reach 170 for 9 in their allotted 20 overs. For India A, Jeetendra VN was the most successful bowler, finishing with figures of 2 for 23.
India A's Chase Falters from the Start
The chase for India A never gained momentum as they lost wickets consistently from the outset. The batting lineup crumbled under pressure, with only lower-order batter Akash Patil showing some resistance with a fighting 30 runs. However, his effort was in vain as the team was bundled out for a paltry 87 in just 16.5 overs.
The star with the ball for India B was right-arm medium-pacer Ganesh Pisal, who delivered an excellent spell, claiming 4 wickets for 25 runs. His performance effectively dismantled the India A batting order and sealed the convincing win for his side.
Series Significance and MCA Support
This series serves as vital preparation for upcoming international assignments for physically disabled cricketers. For many players, this match marked their first major game at the hallowed Wankhede Stadium, a venue steeped in cricketing history, most famously where India won the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup under Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has played a pivotal role in supporting this initiative. Ajinkya Naik, President of the MCA, emphasized the association's commitment to inclusive cricket, stating, "MCA has always been a pioneer in taking progressive initiatives... and hosting the Physically Disabled T20 Cricket Series adds yet another meaningful milestone to that legacy. We remain committed to promoting inclusive cricket, where talent, determination and passion take centre stage."
The action now moves to the second and third matches of the series, scheduled to be played on Wednesday, December 17, and Thursday, December 18, respectively.
Brief Scores: India B: 170/9 in 20 overs (Wasim Iqbal 66, GS Shiva 41; Jeetendra VN 2-23) beat India A: 87 all out in 16.5 overs (Akash Patil 30; Ganesh Pisal 4-25) by 83 runs.
