In a nail-biting encounter at Bengaluru's M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Uttar Pradesh clinched a four-wicket victory over Andhra Pradesh to book their spot in the quarterfinals of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, with UP recovering from a vexing middle-order collapse thanks to the combination of calm and powerplay displayed by Rinku Singh and Vipraj Nigam.
The Dramatic Chase
Chasing a target of 157, UP started strong with star batsman Karan Sharma leading the charge. Sharma's impactful 48 off 31 balls laid a solid foundation as he, alongside Aryan Juyal, gave UP a robust start with a 70-run opening partnership. However, celebrations seemed premature as the team faltered to a vulnerable 109/6.
This is where the stage was set for Rinku Singh and Vipraj Nigam. Rinku brought in composure with his measured 27 off 22 balls, steering the innings with much-needed patience. But it was Nigam, the young leg-spinning all-rounder, who really turned heads. His explosive 27 from just 8 balls packed a punch, particularly the game-altering 22-run 17th over against KV Sasikanth.
Together, Singh and Nigam plundered 48 runs in merely three overs. With their dynamic partnership, they flipped the game on its head, ensuring UP crossed the line with six balls remaining. The achievement was even more sweet for Nigam, who bagged the Player of the Match title, underscoring his dual threat with the ball and bat.
Andhra's Resilient Innings
Andhra Pradesh's innings was a mix of resilience and fireworks. Despite an early setback with the departure of KS Bharat for a paltry 4, Ricky Bhui and SDNV Prasad steadied the ship with scores of 23 and an unbeaten 34, respectively. Prasad, supported by Sasikanth's fiery 23 not out, took Andhra to a defendable 156/6, setting up a competitive chase.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar, leading UP's charge on the bowling front, restricted Andhra's batsmen effectively. His efforts, coupled with Nigam's 2 for 20, built the platform for the subsequent victory chase.
Now, with this thrilling win in their bag, Uttar Pradesh is set to face Delhi in the quarterfinals on December 11, also to be held at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. Eager fans can also look forward to other exciting matchups, including Bengal against Baroda, Madhya Pradesh taking on Saurashtra, and Mumbai battling Vidarbha. This remarkable win not only advances UP's chances in the tournament but also cements Vipraj Nigam's rising status as a key player, one recently acknowledged by the Delhi Capitals ahead of IPL 2025.