Aryan Juyal delivered a batting masterclass, smashing an unbeaten 150 to overshadow Sumit Ghadigaonkar’s century as Uttar Pradesh defeated Assam by 58 runs via the VJD method in a rain-affected Vijay Hazare Trophy Group B match in Rajkot on Wednesday. With this victory, Uttar Pradesh strengthened their position at the top of the table.
Opting to bat first, Assam skipper Sumit Ghadigaonkar produced a superb 101 off 86 balls, while Sibsankar Roy added a solid 82 off 83 deliveries, guiding their team past 300. However, Uttar Pradesh bowlers tightened control in the middle overs as Zeeshan Ansari (3/60) and Vipraj Nigam (4/66) triggered a collapse, bowling Assam out for 308 in 48.4 overs.
In reply, Uttar Pradesh faced a stiff chase, but Aryan Juyal anchored the innings magnificently, blasting 15 fours and 3 sixes during his unbeaten 150 off 140 balls. Juyal, who has already scored 80 and 134 earlier in the tournament, continued his red-hot form. Currently, he isn’t keeping wickets as Dhruv Jurel has taken charge behind the stumps.
He found strong support from Priyam Garg, who scored 52 off 53 balls, while skipper Rinku Singh chipped in with a quick-fire 37 off just 15 deliveries, ensuring the run rate stayed in control. Uttar Pradesh reached 291 for 2 in 42 overs before rain interrupted play, and the VJD method declared them winners.
Mukesh Kumar Leads Bengal to Crushing Win
In another match, Bengal steamrolled Jammu and Kashmir by nine wickets in a low-scoring encounter. Choosing to bowl first, Bengal pacers dominated as Mukesh Kumar (4/16) and Akash Deep (4/32) shared eight wickets, while Mohammed Shami (2/14) added two crucial strikes to bowl J&K out for just 63 in 20.4 overs.
Paras Dogra (19) and Shubham Khajuria (12) were the only batters to enter double digits, with three players registering ducks. Bengal comfortably chased the target in 9.3 overs, with Abhishek Porel (30) and Sudip Kumar Gharami (25) guiding them home. This marked Bengal’s third win, placing them second in the standings.
Nalkande Stars as Vidarbha Beat Chandigarh
At the Niranjan Shah Stadium, Vidarbha defeated Chandigarh by eight wickets, thanks to an outstanding bowling spell from Darshan Nalkande (4/33). He was well supported by Nachiket Bhute (2/18) and Dipesh Parwani (2/22) as Chandigarh were bundled out for 113 in 29.1 overs.
Chandigarh suffered a nightmare start, collapsing to 4 for 3, and despite efforts from Sanyam Saini (36), Arslan Khan (27), Nikhil Thakur (17) and Taranpreet Singh (17), they never recovered. Five batters were dismissed for ducks. Vidarbha comfortably chased the total in 22.3 overs, led by Atharva Taide (43 not out) and Dhruv Shorey (43).
Baroda Outclass Hyderabad in Run-Fest
At the Sanosara Cricket Ground B, Baroda defeated Hyderabad by 37 runs in a high-scoring thriller. Batting first, Baroda produced a batting spectacle as Amit Pasi (127), Nitya Pandya (122) and Krunal Pandya (109) all struck magnificent centuries, powering the team to a massive 417 for four.
Hyderabad put up a spirited chase, driven by Abhirath Reddy (130) and Pragnay Reddy (113), but eventually ran out of steam and were bowled out for 380 in 49.5 overs, falling short despite a valiant fight.