Uttar Pradesh Clinches Emphatic Victory Over Uttarakhand in Col CK Nayudu Trophy
In a commanding display of cricketing prowess, Uttar Pradesh registered a massive innings-and-15-run win against hosts Uttarakhand in their Col CK Nayudu Trophy encounter. The match, held at the Kaushiki Cricket Ground in Ramnagar on Sunday, saw UP's bowlers, led by pacer Vijay Kumar, dismantle the opposition with clinical efficiency.
Vijay Kumar's Fiery Spell Decimates Uttarakhand Batting
Resuming the day, Uttarakhand faced an uphill battle, needing 48 runs with six wickets remaining to avoid an innings defeat. However, their hopes were quickly dashed as the UP bowling attack, spearheaded by Vijay Kumar, ran through the batting lineup. Uttarakhand could only muster 33 additional runs, collapsing to 133 all out in their second innings.
Vijay Kumar emerged as the standout performer, delivering a masterclass in pace bowling. He returned impressive figures of 6 for 47, exploiting the conditions to perfection. His new-ball partner, Prashant Yadav, provided excellent support, claiming 3 wickets for 32 runs, while Akshu Bajwa chipped in with a crucial wicket to seal the match comfortably.
Akshu Bajwa's All-Round Contribution Proves Pivotal
Earlier in the match, Akshu Bajwa had played a vital role with the bat, scoring an unbeaten 51 in UP's first innings. This knock helped extend the visitors' lead, setting the stage for the bowlers to apply pressure. Uttar Pradesh posted a formidable total of 318 in their first innings, in response to Uttarakhand's 170, building a decisive advantage that ultimately proved insurmountable.
UP coach Gyanendra Pandey lauded the team's efforts, particularly highlighting Vijay Kumar's performance. "Vijay bowled exceptionally well along with Prashant. Akshu Bajwa's contribution with the bat earlier helped in building a decisive lead," Pandey remarked, underscoring the collective effort that propelled UP to victory.
UP Tops Pool, Sets Sights on Final League Match
With this emphatic win, Uttar Pradesh moved to the top of their pool, accumulating 40 points. The team's dominant performance has bolstered their position as they prepare for their final league match. UP is scheduled to face Chandigarh next, with the game set to be played in Kanpur from February 6.
The victory not only showcases UP's strength in the Col CK Nayudu Trophy but also highlights the emergence of key players like Vijay Kumar, whose bowling heroics have become a talking point in domestic cricket circles.
Brief Scores:
- Uttarakhand first innings – 170
- Uttarakhand second innings – 133 (Aditya Naithani 43, Ishagra Jagoori 43; Prashant Yadav 3/32, Vijay Kumar 6/47)
- Uttar Pradesh first innings – 318
