NAGPUR: Vidarbha Under-19 boys pocketed their second title of the season on the back of some instrumental performances from the vital cogs of the team. One or more senior players raised their hands under pressure in almost every match and kept doing so till the Cooch Behar Trophy crown was grabbed on Tuesday.
A few of the architects of the title victory can be promoted to the under-25 squad, as per sources. The likes of Danish Malewar, Mohd Faiz, Rohit Binkar and Jagjot Sasan are likely to be considered for the next match of Col CK Nayudu Trophy between Vidarbha and Odisha in Nagpur.
"Jagjot was included in the senior team for Syed Mushtaq Ali T20s after he performed well in U-19 one-dayers. Now, the same pattern is likely to be repeated," informed a VCA official.
Architects of Cooch Behar Trophy title win:
Danish Malewar: The right-hander finished as the highest run-getter of the tournament with 1171 runs. He became the highest run-getter for Vidarbha in the marque under-19 event. Danish struck 4 centuries and 3 half-centuries with unbeaten 300 being his highest score. His half centuries in the final gave Vidarbha the edge.
M: 8 Runs: 1171 HS: 300* Avg: 117.10 100s: 4 50s: 3
Rohit Binkar: The wicketkeeper showed his real worth this season by scoring an impressive 180 and 217 in back-to-back matches against defending champions Haryana and Bihar respectively. He also lifted his behind-the-stumps work by many notches. His second innings knock in the final on day-4 pitch made him stand out.
M: 8 Runs: 670 HS: 217 Avg: 74.44 100s: 2 50s: 3
Neel Athaley: The opener was instrumental in giving consistent starts, which were supplemented by a robust middle-order line-up in every match. Vidarbha crossed 350 runs on nine occasions out of the 12 innings they batted in and Neel was successful in most of them including final to see off the new ball.
M: 8 Runs: 630 HS: 251* Avg: 57.27 100s: 2 50s: 1
Jagjot Sasan: The allrounder had earlier made it to the Syed Mushtaq Ali squad on the back of his performances in Vinoo Mankad Trophy, where he was Vidarbha's leading bowler with 14 wickets and second highest run-getter with 233 runs. In Cooch Behar, he notched up 2 tons and four fifties, mostly after losing key wickets.
M: 8 Runs: 604 HS: 101* Avg: 67.11 100s: 2 50s: 4
Mohd Faiz: Skipper Faiz hit the form just at the right time, a game before the knockouts. He scored 99 in the last league match. In the quarters, Vidarbha made 230 when Vidarbha were 50-4. And in the final, when the need was to bat longer, he made 115 off 302 balls and ensured Tamil Nadu get less time to stage a comeback.
M: 8 Runs: 596 HS: 230 Avg: 59.60 100s: 2 50s: 1
Rajsinsh Chavhan: The left-arm pacer finished as the highest wicket-taker for Vidarbha. He spelled his magic with a 7-wicket haul in the campaign opener. In the match against Haryana, the pacer took 2 wickets in the last three balls and gave Vidarbha 3 vital points on 1st innings lead basis.
M: 8 Wkts: 31 BBI: 7-25 B.Avg: 18.77 5w: 1
Pratham Maheshwari: The right-arm pacer was as consistent as his partner Rajsingh. He stole the show with a 6-wicket haul against Karnataka in the semifinal. He impressed with his outswing throughout the tournament. He made merry in Patna with an 8-wicket match haul.
M: 7 Wkts: 24 BBI: 6-30 B.Avg: 15.95 5w: 2
