Baroda vs Bengal Syed Mushtaq Ali 2024

In the first quarterfinal of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024, Baroda faced Bengal at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on December 11, 2024. Baroda set a competitive target of 173 runs for Bengal. The match featured notable performances from both sides, with India's seasoned pacer Mohammed Shami representing Bengal and all-rounder Hardik Pandya leading Baroda.

Baroda's Innings:

Baroda's innings was marked by a solid start, with contributions from key batsmen. However, Mohammed Shami's disciplined bowling in the death overs was instrumental in restricting Baroda to 172 runs. Shami's experience and precision were evident as he maintained pressure on the Baroda batsmen, conceding minimal runs in his final overs.

Bengal's Chase:

In response, Bengal's opening pair began aggressively, with Abishek Porel hitting a four and a six off Hardik Pandya's opening over, bringing the score to 13/0 after the first over. However, Baroda's left-arm pacer Lukman Meriwala turned the game in their favor by achieving an over hat-trick in his second over. He dismissed Karan Lal, Sudip Kumar Gharami, and Writtick Chatterjee in consecutive deliveries, leaving Bengal at a precarious 55/4 after six overs.

Despite the early setbacks, Bengal's middle order showed resilience. However, Baroda's bowlers, led by Meriwala and supported by Atit Sheth, who also took crucial wickets, continued to apply pressure. Bengal's innings struggled to gain momentum, and they fell short of the target, resulting in Baroda securing a place in the semifinals.

Key Performances:

• Lukman Meriwala (Baroda): His over hat-trick was pivotal in dismantling Bengal's top order, finishing with impressive figures.
• Mohammed Shami (Bengal): Demonstrated his prowess with both bat and ball, contributing a crucial unbeaten 32 in the previous match to lift Bengal to 159/9 and delivering economical bowling spells.Business Standard
• Hardik Pandya (Baroda): Although he conceded runs in his opening over, his leadership and all-round capabilities added depth to Baroda's performance.

This victory underscores Baroda's formidable form in the tournament, especially following their record-breaking total of 349/5 against Sikkim, where they hit 37 sixes—the most in a T20 innings.

As they advance to the semifinals, Baroda continues to be a strong contender for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024.

Cricket enthusiasts can look forward to more thrilling performances as the tournament progresses, with Baroda's dynamic gameplay and strategic prowess on full display.