NKP Salve Challenger Trophy: Yuvraj and Nayar annihilate India Reds, set a target of 346

Yuvraj Singh continues to impress in domestic circuit

India Blue, riding on a rampaging 151-run partnership for the fourth wicket between Yuvraj Singh and Abhishek Nayar off just 78 deliveries, destroyed India Red bowlers to set a mammoth target of 346 for the Reds to chase.

India Blue were off to a decent start despite the loss of opener Naman Ojha for just nine runs.

However, Akshath Reddy, who was given a torrid time at the crease by Umesh Yadav first-up, and Manish Pandey combined to score 143 runs off 156 deliveries for the second wicket to take India Blue from 33 for 1 in 7.2 overs to 176 for 2 in 33.2 overs.

Yusuf Pathan‘s decision to take Yadav out of the attack after a probing four-over spell was questionable as a couple more overs could have seen him given a breakthrough, given the way he was getting appreciable movement with the new ball, at high speeds.

With Abhimanyu Mithun being steady at best and Shahbaz Nadeem unable to provide any inroads against batsmen who play spin better, the bowling attack looked toothless as Reddy and Pandey eased their way past them.

The partnership was finally broken by Yadav, who accounted for Pandey (86-ball 70) with a slower one. Reddy, who was on 84, followed suit with a miscued pull of Mithun.

But as it turned out the situation turned worse for India Red, as Yuvraj Singh and Abishek Nayar tore apart a mediocre bowling attack, marred by half-trackers and full-tosses to attack to the woes.

Yuvraj was eventually run out in the last over after having scored 84 off just 53 deliveries while Nayar remained unbeaten on 75 off 39 balls.