Jharkhand allrounder Supriyo Chakraborty put up a valiant effort with the bat, but Rajasthan managed to come on top and win the Group D clash of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in Mullanpur, near Chandigarh, on Saturday.
Needing 162 runs to win the crucial encounter, the Jharkhand top order failed to build a partnership that could carry them to the target. Captain Virat Singh, the Jharkhand No. 4 batter, displayed some flair en route his 31, but his departure sent the team reeling at 83 for 5.
It was the 28-year-old Chakraborty who took charge on coming in at No. 8 and scored a brave 21-ball 38 that included four boundaries and two that went over. However, it was too late in the day as Rajasthan clinched the match by 18 runs.
Sent in to bat by Jharkhand, Mahipal Lamror (42) and Mukul Choudhary (35) earned Rajasthan a competitive total despite a brilliant bowling display by Rahul Sharma (3-35), assisted by Vikash Singh (2-34).
The loss sent Jharkhand a rung below to fourth spot on the Group D table while Rajasthan stayed behind them on the fifth position.
Rajasthan 161/8 (M Choudhary 35, M Lomror 42; Shukla 3-23, Singh 2-34). Jharkhand 143/7 (V Singh 31, S Chakraborty 38; Choudhary 2-16, Khan 2-34). Rajasthan won by 18 runs.
