Uttar Pradesh thrash Pondy by 77 runs

CHENNAI: Left-arm spinner Saurabh Kumar (4 for 14) shone with the ball for Uttar Pradesh as they registered a comfortable 77-run victory over Pondicherry in their Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 clash at New Delhi on Monday. Uttar Pradesh took first strike and posted 179 for 4 from their quota of 20 overs riding 18-year-old Priyam Garg's 30-ball 54 that contained 6 fours and 2 sixes.
Apart from Garg's knock, Uttar Pradesh received handy contributions from their openers Upendra Yadav (36, 2x4) and Samarth Singh (29, 6x4) before a 10-ball 29 from Rinku Singh helped the side finish on a high.For Pondy, medium-pacer V Marimuthu (2 for 15) was the only standout bowler.
In reply, Pondy got off to the worst possible start. Saurabh was on the money from the word go and accounted for opener S Karthik (0) in the very second ball of the chase. He also had No. 3 V Marimuthu (2) stumped by keeper Yadav. Pondy were 3 down with just 9 on board in the third over before the experienced Paras Dogra (22, 3x4, 1x6) and X Thalaivan Sargunam (17, 3x4) got together with a 33-run stand for the fourth wicket. However, once Saurabh cleaned bowled Thalaivan, Pondy slipped to 45 for 5 in the 11th over.
Fabid Ahmed (25, 1x6) and P Thamaraikannan (25, 3x4) provided some late resistance for Pondy but that wasn't enough as they ended on 102 for 6. This was Pondy's third successive loss from 4 outings in the competition.
Brief scores: Uttar Pradesh 179 for 4 in 20 overs (Priyam Garg 54, Upendra Yadav 36, Samarth Singh 29; Marimuthu 2 for 15). Pondicherry 102 for 6 in 20 overs (Paras Dogra 22, Fabid Ahmed 25, V Marimuthu 25; Saurabh Kumar 4 for 14). Uttar Pradesh won by 77 runs.