Srinagar, Jan 27: After three consecutive wins J&K today suffered a 7-wicket defeat against Kerala as all the batters except Anju Tomar failed to show some resistance against the disciplined rival bowlers in the Senior Women’s One Day Trophy at SLIMS Cricket Ground, Puducherry today.
Earlier, put into bat J&K lost wickets at regular intervals and managed to score a modest total of 111 runs in 50 overs, losing 9 wickets in the process. Batters except Tomar failed to show application and character. Tomar top scored with 35 runs off 96 balls, studded with 2 boundaries, while Sheerazah Banoo contributed 14 runs to the total. Rubia Syed and Nadia Chowdhary contributed 11 runs each, while Ananaya Sharma (10) and Lalita (10) made a partnership of 20 runs for the last wicket.
For Kerala, Shani T was the pick of the bowlers, who captured 3 wickets by conceding just 10 runs in her 10 overs, while Keerthy K James bagged 2 wickets by giving away 16 runs in her 9 overs. Mrudula VS, Surya Sukumar, Sajana S and Minnu Mani claimed one wicket each.
In reply, Kerala chased the target easily in 33.2 overs by losing 3 wickets to win the match by 7 wickets. Deepthi JS top scored with unbeaten 31 off 72 balls, while skipper Sanjana S contributed unbeaten 28 runs off 39 balls. Shani T scored 16 runs, while Jincy George and Minnu Mani contributed 13 runs each.
For J&K, skipper Sandhya Sayal bagged 2 wickets, while Nadia Chowdhary claimed one wicket.
One gets a feeling that the all-rounders like Sarla Devi, Sandhya Sayal, Anju Tomar and Nadia Chowdhary are still not justifying their tag of being good all-rounders.
Moreover, what is the point of concern is that the player who had replaced talented speedster Bismah Hassan in this tournament has just got one opportunity so far and has bowled just 2 overs to concede 19 runs.
J&K will take on Jharkhand in the next outing.