Harshal Patel stars in a narrow win against Northamptonshire

IND vs ENG: While the Indian test team was dominating the English team, Harshal Patel and co registered their 2nd win in the T20 warm-up matches.

After a convincing win against Derbyshire on 2nd July, Dinesh Karthik and his men turned their heads to Northamptonshire.

India chased down 151 in 16.4 overs, thanks to a well-paced half century from Deepak Hooda. This was after the Indian bowling unit restricted the run of flow as Derbyshire could only muster 150 runs in their 20 overs.

Northamptonshire skipper Joshua Cobb won the toss and asked the visitors to bat first.

Playing XI

Northamptonshire: Ricardo Vasconcelos, Emilio Gay, Joshua Cobb(c), Saif Zaib, Ryan Rickelton(w), Gus Miller, James Sales, Nathan Buck, Brandon Glover, Freddie Heldreich, Alex Russell

India: Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson, Rahul Tripathi, Suryakumar Yadav, Dinesh Karthik(w/c), Venkatesh Iyer, Harshal Patel, Avesh Khan, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Prasidh Krishna

First Innings (India Batting)

India got off to the worst possible start. Skipper Cobb came on and got rid of Sanju Samson for a golden duck.

To make things worse, Brandon Glover came in and bowled a double wicket maiden! He picked up the wickets of Rahul Tripathi for 7 and Suryakumar Yadav for 0(3).

India were in a spot of bother, after being reduced to 8/3 after 3 overs. Ishan Kishan and Dinesh Karthik steadied the ship as India were 50/3 after 8 overs.

Unfortunately, the partnership did not last long as Ishan Kishan was dismissed by left arm orthodox, Freddie Heldreich.

The spinner struck yet again, as he dismissed Indian skipper, Dinesh Karthik, for 34(26). Harshal Patel replaced his captain at the crease.

While Patel landed some lusty blows, Venkatesh Iyer made sure that he was there to support the Indian pacer.

The pair together, stitched a 60-run partnership, which helped the men in blue pass the 130 run mark with 12 balls to go.

An impressive Nathan Buck came back to pick up 2 wickets in his over, as India were now 7 down for 134 after 19 overs.

But, Harshal Patel hit 2 big blows to take India over the 145 run mark. India ended up with 149 runs on the board, with Harshal Patel top scoring with 54(36).

Second Innings (Northamptonshire Batting)

Prasidh Krishnna came on and picked up a wicket in his very first over. He got rid of Ricardo Vasconcelos. Northamptonshire were 15/1 after 2 overs.

Arshdeep Singh showed great calm to get a wicket off the last ball after an expensive over. Emiliano Gay and Joshua Cobb took the left arm pacer for 15 runs, before the latter was dismissed off the very last ball of the over.

Avesh Khan then decided to join the party, as he bowled a wicket-maiden over, first up. Khan got rid of the dangerous looking Emiliano Gay for 22. Northamptonshire were 41/3 after 5 overs.

The last over of the powerplay was just as eventful. Top scorer Harshal Patel came on to bowl the last over of the powerplay and picked up the wicket of Gus Miller of the last ball of the over.

Northamptonshire were 49/4 after 6 overs. The home side found it difficult to get going as they lost wickets at regular intervals.

With 10 runs needed off the final over, star pacer Harshal Patel stepped up. 2 dot balls and a wicket meant that India had sealed a hard fought win over Northamptonshire on Sunday.

Harshal Patel was awarded the player of the match award for his outstanding all-round performance.