The much awaited title clash in the CricInfo Rani Jhansi Trophywomen’s tournament between Air India and Indian Railways got underwayat the MA Chidambaram Stadium this morning

Anand Vasu08-Apr-2000The much awaited title clash in the CricInfo Rani Jhansi Trophywomen’s tournament between Air India and Indian Railways got underwayat the MA Chidambaram Stadium this morning. Both teams came into thematch unbeaten. At the end of the day however, Air India were just toogood for Indian Railways. Their 178 run total proved 48 runs too manyfor Indian Railways.On winning the toss Air India captain Purnima Rau had no hesitation inelecting to bat. However, when she played down the wrong line to astraight one from Sunita Kanojia the skipper couldn’t have been toopleased. She was trapped plumb in front and Air India had lost a bigwicket.Anjum Chopra came in and gave Air India fans something to cheer aboutwith some fine batting. Playing with a straight bat, Chopra made gooduse of a field that was spread out. Taking no risks, she forced thescoring on.When Anjum tried to cut a ball from off spinner Rupanjali Shastrithings went wrong for Air India. The ball was too close to the stumpsfor the shot. All she managed to do was drag the ball back onto herstumps. She looked good for a big score but managed just 24.Soon after Anjum was dismissed, Anju Jain followed. Her 40 had come inquick time. However, the fall of her wicket meant that Air India’s topthree were gone.Mithali Raj took on the role of senior batswoman and proceeded to playa priceless knock. Though wickets fell around her, she stuck to hertask admirably. When Sunaina Mehan used the long handle to good effectin the late overs, Air India managed to put up a more than competitivetotal. Sunaina’s clean hitting inspired Mithali further and the twoshared a partnership of 65 that took the game away from IndianRailways.Sunaina made a crucial 29 while Mithali was unbeaten on 45. Air Indiahad ammassed 178, a lot more than what looked likely in the middle ofthe innings.Starting their chase in the worst possible manner, Indian Railwaysopener Rajini Sharma hit a full toss towards Seema Malhotra at midoff. Diving low, Seema came up with the catch. There was some doubtabout how cleanly she had caught the ball. After consulting thefielder, umpire Sumathi Iyer declared Rajini out.The target was too daunting for Indian Railways after they lost a fewquick wickets. Sensing this, the Air India bowlers tightened up theirattack. This put the squeeze on the Indian Railways side and theybatted without purpose.Renu Margaret livened up the proceedings with a fighting unbeaten 42,but it was a case of too little too late. When Anjum Chopra fired theball in to the ‘keeper and ran out Neetu David, there was unlimitedjoy for the Air India side. Celebrating victory by 48 runs the wholeteamed sang and danced out in the middle. All stumps were quicklyremoved and will no doubt find their way to showcases and mantlepiecesaround the country.