13 October,2011 08:00 AM IST | | Agencies
Powered by centuries from openers Robin Uthappa (132) and Srikkanth Anirudha (111), India Green defeated India Blue by 79 runs here yesterday to set up today's Challenger Trophy final against India Red.
Inserted into bat, Harbhajan Singh's India Green posted a massive 348-9, with the openers involved in a 203-run partnership.
Uthappa, who had retired hurt after completing his century, was denied a runner under the new playing conditions. He returned to complete a knock of 132 runs from just 103 balls, adorned with 14 fours and three sixes.
India Green then shot out India Blue for 269 in 41.4 overs with left-arm paceman Samad Fallah (3-59) taking three wickets. Harbhajan (2-40) was involved in an entertaining contest with Manish Pandey (32) before having him caught at long-on.
India Blue made a spirited start to their run-chase soon after Tanmay Srivastava was caught behind off Fallah. Thereafter Murali Vijay (45) and Saurabh Tiwary (74) shared a 87-run stand for the second-wicket.
However, their dismissals ended all hopes for S Badrinath's side. Dinesh Karthik (49) and Pandey (32) resisted but their knocks only reduced the defeat margin.
