17yr old Saurav Nautiyal scores a matured 136* for Team Sultan in the Professional Cricket Cup 2017
It was a good day in the office for Sultan Sports club as they chased a 240 odd run target on a track which was slightly tilted towards the bowlers. Winning the toss at Kheda Garhi ground at Jehangir puri in Delhi, Rajput gymkhana elected to bat first with an aim of giving a big target.
Batting first, Rajput Gymkhana managed to reach 239/10 in 50 overs & it was a decent perfomance from the bowlers who managed to bowl tight & take wickets at regular intervals. Even though it was a good start by the top 3 batsman where openers Mayank & Vermani scored quick 40’s followed by a 71ball 43 by their no.3 batsman. However, the rest of the batsman crumbled & could not convert the good momentum developed by the top 3. It was a great bowling performance from the Sultan boys as 4 bowlers from their side chipped in with 2wkts each. Vipul, sandeep, Saurav & ajay scalped 2wkts each & were quite spot on with their line & length not allowing the batsman to score runs freely.
Chasing 240 on a tough bowling track is always a big challenge, however 17year old Saurav Nautiyal showed everyone his class as he scored a magnificent hundred to steer his team towards the victory line. Opening the innings, left-handed opener Nautiyal smashed a solid 136* off just 127balls & played the anchors role to perfection. The other batsman were losing wickets on the other side but Saurav kept his cool & hardly got deterred or got affected by any pressure.
It was a good fight given by the Rajput boys as they did not allow them to win easily. However, Sultan Sports Club chased the target in 47.2 overs and won the match by 3wkts while Saurav Nautiyal was declared ‘man of the match’ for his century & 2wkts.
