In a match that saw fortunes swing quite wildly, Team Rajasthan has a task at hand as proceedings enter the final day with 262 runs still to chase by the hosts. On day-3, it was not before Services cantered to the lead of 357 that the hosts could bundle them out in the group C match currently underway at the SMS Stadium on Wednesday.
The pitch has deteriorated and it demands application to ensure survival. And Just what the doctor ordered, Rajasthan openers Amit Gautam and Chetan Bist showed great discipline and maturity as they took to the crease and anchored the innings well. Enroute their carefully stitched unbeaten partnership of 95 runs, Gautam notched up 53* from 142 balls that included 7 fours and a six. Chetan, from the other side matched his partner’s incision and accuracy, and playing the ball late he piled up 39* from 128 balls.
Both the openers conceded that on Thursday first session will be very crucial and define the result of the game. “I and Amit Gautam played every ball on merit. We waited for loose balls to go for shots,” Chetan said. Target is big, but with 95 runs already on the board we are eyeing victory, Gautam added.
Earlier in the day, when Services resumed batting, Rahul Singh Gahlaut slammed 105 to put his team in a dominating position and he found an able partner in VU Yadav who contributed with 51 crucial runs. Seamer Nathu Singh and leg-spinner Rahul Chahar shared between themselves three wickets apiece.
The way openers have responded to the challenge must have eased the nerves for now, but it would require humongous effort on the final day if the team wishes to evade defeat. At the end of the day’s play, Rajasthan was 95 at the loss of no wicket.
FIRST SESSION WILL BE CRUCIAL
- Both the openers Amit Gautam and wicket-keeper batsman Chetan Bist conceded that on Thursday first session will be very crucial and will define the result of the match.
- “I and Amit played every ball on merit. We waited for loose balls to go for shots,” Chetan said. Target is big, but with 95 runs already on the board we are eyeing victory, Gautam added.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Amit Gautam and Chetan Bist")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}