UP Women Begin T20 Trophy Campaign with Commanding Victory
Uttar Pradesh's women's Under-23 cricket team launched their Elite T20 Trophy tournament in impressive fashion, securing a comprehensive seven-wicket victory against Tripura on Thursday. The match took place at the Chaudhary Bansi Lal Cricket Stadium in Lahli, Haryana, marking a perfect start to UP's campaign in the national competition.
Tripura's Batting Struggles Define First Innings
After winning the toss and choosing to bat first, Tripura faced immediate challenges against UP's disciplined bowling attack. The team could only muster 91 runs for the loss of nine wickets during their allotted 20 overs, setting a modest target for their opponents.
Only three Tripura batters managed to reach double figures during their innings. Anamika Das top-scored with 29 runs, while both Sebika Das and Antara Das contributed 13 runs each to the team's total. The most productive partnership came from the fourth wicket, where captain Ambesha Das and Anamika Das combined for 32 runs.
Tripura's batting performance was further hampered by three run-outs, including both openers Anjel Paul (2) and Asmita Debnath (3) falling to this mode of dismissal. The UP bowling attack was led effectively by Garima Yadav, who claimed 2 wickets for 22 runs, and Sandhya Chhetri, who delivered an economical spell taking 2 wickets for just 14 runs.
UP's Confident Chase Seals Dominant Win
Chasing a target of 92 runs, Uttar Pradesh approached their innings with confidence and composure. The opening pair of Varnika and Sampada Dixit provided a solid foundation, adding 29 runs before Varnika was dismissed for 12 runs, caught by Anamika off Pamita's bowling.
Sampada Dixit emerged as the star of the chase, playing a mature innings of 41 runs from just 39 deliveries. Her knock included three boundaries and one six, effectively controlling the run chase. She built a crucial 28-run partnership with Tripti Singh, who contributed 17 runs before being dismissed by Tripura captain Ambesha Das.
The victory was comfortably sealed by Shraddha Tiwari, who remained unbeaten on 18 runs, and Muskan Malik, who scored 2 not out. Uttar Pradesh reached their target with 5.2 overs to spare, demonstrating their complete dominance in the match. Tripura's Ambesha Das was the most successful bowler for her side, taking 2 wickets for 20 runs.
Strong Foundation for Tournament Campaign
This convincing victory provides Uttar Pradesh with excellent momentum as they progress through the Women's Under-23 Elite T20 Trophy tournament. The comprehensive nature of their win, achieved with significant overs remaining, highlights the team's balanced strength in both bowling and batting departments.
The match result establishes Uttar Pradesh as a team to watch in the competition, while Tripura will need to regroup and address their batting vulnerabilities before their next encounter. Both teams continue their campaigns in the national tournament, which serves as an important platform for developing women's cricket talent in India.
