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Yuvraj Singh hits a swashbuckling unbeaten century to help North Zone score a thumping nine-wicket victory against West in a Duleep Trophy league cricket match in Lucknow at the K D Singh Babu Stadium on Thursday. By hitting this ton he took a big stride towards cementing his place in the Test eleven for forthcoming India-Pakistan series.
Chasing a target of 207, North began their chase on a cautious note but soon lost Sehwag when he tried to loft a flighted delivery from Pawar. Delhi right-handed batsman, who made 33 in the first innings, was caught at long of by Zaheer Khan. Gambhir, however, carried on carefully and slowly came up with some fine shots to make 79 with the help of nine boundaries.
The stylish Punjab left-hander, who came at the fall of Virender Sehwag (15), exhibited an array of attractive shots on either side of the wicket and raced to his hundred in 115 balls with the help of 16 boundaries. The stylish left-handed batsman was particularly severe on star pace bowler Zaheer Khan, carting him for four boundaries in his two successive overs. Yuvraj, adjudged the Man of the Match, added 170 for the second wicket with Gautam Gambhir.
Earlier, West, resuming at their overnight score of 146 for 5, lost wickets in quick succession and were bowled out for 201 in 63.1 overs. Leg spinner Amit Mishra emerged as the most successful bowler, scalping five for 52 runs.
Only opener Wasim Jaffer (47), Kiran Pawar (37) and all-rounder Rajesh Pawar (39) impressed with their batting , none of the other West batsmen impressed as the last six wickets managed to add only 81 runs.
But the crowd puller was undoubtedly Yuvraj as he delighted the spectators with his power play, negotiating both pacers and spinners with amazing ease.
Chasing a target of 207, North began their chase on a cautious note but soon lost Sehwag when he tried to loft a flighted delivery from Pawar. Delhi right-handed batsman, who made 33 in the first innings, was caught at long of by Zaheer Khan. Gambhir, however, carried on carefully and slowly came up with some fine shots to make 79 with the help of nine boundaries.
The stylish Punjab left-hander, who came at the fall of Virender Sehwag (15), exhibited an array of attractive shots on either side of the wicket and raced to his hundred in 115 balls with the help of 16 boundaries. The stylish left-handed batsman was particularly severe on star pace bowler Zaheer Khan, carting him for four boundaries in his two successive overs. Yuvraj, adjudged the Man of the Match, added 170 for the second wicket with Gautam Gambhir.
Earlier, West, resuming at their overnight score of 146 for 5, lost wickets in quick succession and were bowled out for 201 in 63.1 overs. Leg spinner Amit Mishra emerged as the most successful bowler, scalping five for 52 runs.
Only opener Wasim Jaffer (47), Kiran Pawar (37) and all-rounder Rajesh Pawar (39) impressed with their batting , none of the other West batsmen impressed as the last six wickets managed to add only 81 runs.
But the crowd puller was undoubtedly Yuvraj as he delighted the spectators with his power play, negotiating both pacers and spinners with amazing ease.