Nayudu trophy: Goa fight back for draw at Green Park

Kanpur: Opening pair of Aazan Thota and Chittem Devankumar's splendid performance of 111 and 82 runs respectively helped visiting Goa team avert defeat as their four-day tie of Nayudu trophy concluded in a draw at Green Park stadium on Monday.Goa batsmen exhibited substantially improved batting prowess in the second innings after follow-on and scored 283 for 2 when umpires, with mutual consent of both teams, declared the match a draw. UP, having a first innings lead, collected 3 points. Goa secured 1 point.Aazan Thota and Chittem resumed their second innings from overnight score 107 for no loss on the fourth and final day. In pre-lunch session, Goa lost just one wicket, with Aazan Thota departing after completing his century in this session. His century came in 129 deliveries with 12 boundaries. After reaching his hundred, he added 11 more runs in subsequent 20 balls. UP introduced part-time bowler Swastik Chikara, and Thota played him casually. One delivery turned unexpectedly, beating Thota and disturbing the stumps. The pair added 194 runs for opening wicket. In post-lunch session, whilst Chittem Devankumar approached his century, he was bowled by Rishabh Bansal at 82, misjudging the line. He faced 207 deliveries and struck 10 boundaries. Goa's score stood at 2 for 220.Kaushal Hattangadi and Shivendra Bhujbal subsequently took charge, navigating the post-lunch session safely. At tea, both teams agreed to a draw. Kaushal and Shivendra were unbeaten on 28 and 41 runs respectively, with team's score at 283 runs. Shivendra displayed aggressive batting, striking 4 boundaries and 2 sixes in 47 balls, commencing his innings with a six.For UP, Rishabh Bansal and Swastik Chikara claimed one wicket each, conceding 60 and 16 runs respectively. UP in their first innings scored 6 for 596 and Goa replied with 194 runs.Brief score: UP first innings – 6 for 596 declaredGoa first innings – 194 and second innings – 2 for 283 (Aazan Thota 111, Chittem Devankumar 82, Kaushal Hattangadi 28 no, Shivendra Bhujbal 41 no, Rishabh Bansal 1 for 60, Swastik Chikara 1 for 16)