By Admin 
While Hardik Pandya’s return to action gave Baroda a big boost in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, it also saw the organisers scrambling, with more than 10,000 turning up on Tuesday to watch the star India all-rounder in action against Punjab.
With a number of pitch invasions adding to security concerns, a decision was made late on Wednesday night to shift the Baroda-Gujarat fixture from the Gymkhana Ground to the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. Limits were placed on the number of fans permitted entry on Thursday, but the faithful were unfazed.
Hardik found rhythm with the ball, sending the explosive Urvil Patel packing with a return catch, triggering Gujarat’s collapse. He gave away just 16 runs, including three boundaries, and even bowled up a maiden, a neat recovery from the 52-run shellacking Punjab handed him.
Raj Limbani was the pick of the bowlers as he helped Baroda bowl out Gujarat for a paltry 73. A simple chase in less than seven overs sealed Baroda’s eight-wicket victory.
Ruling the roost
The footfall in the stands increased manifold for Punjab’s clash against Pondicherry with Abhishek Sharma’s quick-fire 36 off nine balls (4×4, 3×6) — setting the tone for what would eventually be a 193-run target.
The Sunrisers Hyderabad star then struck with the ball, taking three wickets to draw ear-drum shattering roars from the crowd. He soaked in the adulation as Pondicherry succumbed to a 54-run defeat.
Bengal’s bowlers, who have largely struggled so far, finally found their rhythm against Services. Mohammed Shami and Akash Deep led the way; the experienced pair’s seven wickets helped it bundle Services for 165.
The chase was a straightforward affair. The 93-run partnership off 50 balls between Abishek Porel (56, 29b, 8×4, 2×6) and Abhimanyu Eashwaran (58, 37b, 7×4, 1×6) saw the win secured with 29 balls to spare.
Earlier, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh were involved in a closely fought affair. Three-wicket hauls by Anshul Kamboj and Anuj Thakral meant Himachal Pradesh could muster only 176 for eight. Haryana chased it down in 18 overs, thanks to Yashvardhan Dalal’s 44-ball unbeaten 76 (7×4, 4×6).
The scores: Himachal Pradesh 176/8 in 20 overs (Ekant Sen 44, Pukhraj Mann 43, Mridul Surroch 31 n.o., Anshul Kamboj 3/44, Anuj Thakral 3/31) lost to Haryana 177/3 in 18 overs (Arsh Ranga 39, Ankit Kumar 44, Yashvardhan Dalal 76 n.o.).
Gujarat 73 in 14.1 overs (Raj Limbani 3/5) lost to Baroda 74/2 in 6.4 overs (Sashwat Rawat 30 n.o.).
Services 165 in 18.2 overs (Mohit Ahlawat 38, Vineet Dhankhar 32, Nakul Sharma 32, Mohammed Shami 4/13, Akash Deep 3/27) lost to Bengal 167/3 in 15.1 (Abishek Porel 56 n.o., Abhimanyu Easwaran 58, Yuvraj Keswani 36 n.o.).
Punjab 192/5 in 20 overs (Abhishek Sharma 34, Naman Dhir 37, Sanvir Singh 38, Salil Arora 44 n.o., Ramandeep Singh 34 n.o.) bt Pondicherry 138 in 18.4 overs (Sidak Singh 61, Abhishek Sharma 3/23, Ayush Goyal 3/25).