Sumit Godara's Stellar Century Seals Rajasthan's Semi-Final Berth
In a thrilling display of cricketing prowess, Rajasthan secured a place in the semi-finals of the Men's U-23 State A Trophy Elite by defeating Maharashtra by five wickets. The quarter-final clash, held at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Wednesday, was dominated by a magnificent century from Rajasthan's opener, Sumit Godara.
Chasing a Competitive Target
Rajasthan was set a challenging target of 246 runs for victory after Maharashtra was bowled out for 245 in their allotted 50 overs. The chase began on a shaky note for Rajasthan as they lost their first two wickets cheaply, putting pressure on the middle order.
However, Sumit Godara (109 from 121 balls) stood firm, anchoring the innings with a composed and powerful knock. His innings was decorated with 8 fours and 4 sixes, effectively turning the momentum in Rajasthan's favor. He found valuable support from Karan Lamba, who remained not out on 51, and Amol Chelani, who contributed a brisk 47 runs.
Maharashtra's Innings and Bowling Highlights
Earlier, after being put into bat, Maharashtra built their total of 245 around a solid 91-run innings from Kiran Chormale. He was well-supported by A. Pawar (46) and Aniruddha Sabale (43). The Rajasthan bowling attack, however, kept taking wickets at regular intervals to restrict the opposition.
The pick of the bowlers was Ganesh Suthar, who snapped up 3 wickets for 32 runs. He received excellent support from Nilesh Tank (2-53) and Chetan Sharma (2-70), who chipped in with two wickets each.
Road to the Semi-Finals
This comprehensive victory propels Rajasthan into the semi-finals of the prestigious tournament. The team successfully reached the target of 250 runs in 48.2 overs, finishing at 250/5. This win, built on the foundation of Godara's brilliant century and a collective team effort, marks a significant achievement for the Rajasthan U-23 squad as they continue their campaign for the trophy.
