In a thrilling clash at the Senior Women’s Multi-Day Challenger Trophy, Team B and Team C delivered an absorbing contest across three days of high-quality cricket. From early collapses and record-breaking stands to gritty comebacks and marathon innings, the match swung like a pendulum — ultimately ending in a well-fought draw. While Team C seized early control with a first-innings lead, Team B mounted an inspired fightback on Days 2 and 3.
Day 1: Team C Bowlers Dominate Early as Team B Falters
Team B, after winning the toss and choosing to bat, were rocked early by a sharp run-out from Jemimah Rodrigues that sent Yastika Bhatia back for 16. Pratika (38) and Ayushi Soni (34) built a promising 49-run stand, but both departed before converting, triggering a middle-order collapse. Team B fell from 89/2 to 125/7 in a damaging passage before Prema (46) and N Shree Charani (29) added a crucial 65-run partnership for the eighth wicket, lifting the total to 210 all out in 68.5 overs.
Team C’s bowling was relentless, led by the exceptional Sushree Dibyadarshini, who took 5 for 33, while Rajeswari chipped in with 3 for 40. In reply, Team C lost Shafali Verma early but steadied through a 48-run partnership between Tanusree Sarkar and Riya Chaudhuri. They closed Day 1 at 79/2, trailing by 131 runs.
Day 2: Tanusree Leads the Charge as Team C Takes Command
Day 2 saw Team C take firm control, thanks to yet another magnificent century by Tanusree Sarkar. Her 118 off 197 balls formed the backbone of Team C’s reply. Partnering with Tanisha Singh (63), the duo added a match-defining 163 runs. Jemimah Rodrigues provided the flourish with an explosive 76 off 86 balls as Team C piled up 329 in 97.2 overs, securing a significant 119-run lead.
Team B’s bowlers were left searching for breakthroughs, with Nandani Sharma (2/57) and Kanika Ahuja (2/42) among the few who found some success. Under pressure, Team B responded with determination. Openers Pratika (65*) and Yastika Bhatia (45) added 76 for the first wicket, and Ayushi Soni (32*) joined Pratika to guide the team to 142/1 by stumps on day 2 — a 23-run lead and renewed hope.
Day 3: Pratika and Ayushi Soni Power Team B’s Dominance
Day 3 belonged entirely to Team B, as they flipped the match on its head with a display of concentration and brilliance. Pratika, resuming from her overnight score went on to score a majestic 120 off 178 balls, peppered with 20 boundaries. Her 176-run partnership with Ayushi Soni not only erased the deficit but established a stronghold. After Pratika’s eventual dismissal, and a brief hiccup with Arushi Goel falling for 5, Team C sensed an opening.
However, Ayushi Soni stood tall, carrying her bat to finish on a sublime 155* off 272 balls — a marathon innings marked by composure, skill, and grit. Skipper Harleen Deol added 65* off 119 in a 126-run unbroken stand with Ayushi, as Team B declared at a towering 400/3 in 107 overs, setting a massive 281-run lead.
Team C’s bowlers, who had been so effective in the first innings, struggled to find answers. Shafali Verma (1/52) and Shuchi Upadhyay (2/79) were the only ones with wickets, but the pitch flattened and the batters’ dictated terms. With the clock winding down and the chase too steep to consider, the match concluded in a draw.
Ayushi Soni finished as the tournament’s leading run-scorer with a phenomenal 453 runs at an average of 226.5, highlighted by a marathon 155*. Close behind was Tanusree Sarkar, who amassed 398 runs at an average of 199, registering the most centuries in the tournament (three), including two in the same match, with her standout knock being a fluent 153* that steered Team C’s first innings recovery.
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