In a thrilling encounter of the Women's Under-19 One Day Trophy, Maharashtra secured a five-wicket victory over Uttar Pradesh at the Railway Ground in Kanpur on Sunday. The win came despite a magnificent individual bowling performance from Uttar Pradesh's Siddhi Mishra, who claimed an impressive five-wicket haul.
Maharashtra's Successful Chase Led by Bhavika
Chasing a target of 207 runs for victory, the Maharashtra team reached the total with five wickets down and 2.3 overs to spare. The foundation of the successful chase was laid by Bhavika Ahire, who remained not out on 57 runs from 76 deliveries, hitting four boundaries. She was involved in two decisive partnerships that steered her team home.
Bhavika first combined with Akshaya Jadhav for a crucial 89-run stand for the fourth wicket. Akshaya contributed a valuable 57 runs off 71 balls, which included seven boundaries, before falling to Siddhi Mishra. Later, with the match in the balance, Bhavika found an able partner in Nikita Singh. The duo put together an unbroken 51-run partnership for the sixth wicket in just 59 balls, a collaboration that ultimately proved decisive in sealing the win for Maharashtra.
Siddhi Mishra's Lone Fight and UP's Innings
For Uttar Pradesh, the standout performer was undoubtedly Siddhi Mishra, who finished with excellent figures of 5 wickets for 29 runs. Her accurate bowling consistently troubled the Maharashtra batters. However, she lacked substantial support from the other bowlers, remaining the lone wicket-taker for her side, which ultimately cost UP the match.
Earlier, after electing to bat first, Uttar Pradesh posted a total of 207 runs for the loss of seven wickets in their 50 overs. The innings was anchored by a fighting unbeaten 74 from Saanvi Bhatia, who faced 91 balls. After openers Riya Bhati (16) and Shashi Balan (33) provided a steady 31-run start, UP suffered a collapse, slumping to 91 for six.
Saanvi then staged a recovery, first adding 87 runs for the seventh wicket with Chandani Sharma (23 off 77 balls) in 133 deliveries, and then an unbroken 28-run stand with Supriya Arela for the eighth wicket. For Maharashtra, Prerna Sachin Sawant was the most successful bowler, taking 3 wickets for 34 runs.
Brief Scores and Match Outcome
Uttar Pradesh: 206/7 in 50 overs (Saanvi Bhatia 74*, Shashi Balan 33; Prerna Sachin Sawant 3/34).
Maharashtra: 209/5 in 47.3 overs (Bhavika Ahire 57*, Akshaya Jadhav 57, Nikita Singh 32*; Siddhi Mishra 5/29).
Result: Maharashtra won by 5 wickets.
The match highlighted both individual brilliance and the importance of team effort in cricket. While Siddhi Mishra's five-wicket haul was a remarkable feat, Maharashtra's collective batting performance, particularly in partnerships, ensured they emerged victorious in this Women's Under-19 One Day Trophy clash.
