India’s prestigious domestic ODI tournament, Vijay Hazare Trophy got underway on Monday (February 5) and on the very first day cricket fans witnessed an example of utmost bravery. Delhi batsman Unmukt Chand put on a batting feast against Uttar Pradesh in a group B clash despite playing with a broken jaw.
Owing to Chand’s 125-ball 116 including 12 boundaries and 3 sixes, Delhi achieved a target of 307/6 against Uttar Pradesh and eventually won the contest by 55 runs. The former Under-19 World Cup winning skipper picked up the freakish injury while practicing in the nets. However, he didn’t bog down and came out to bat for his team.
And @UnmuktChand9 makes it. Well played Champ pic.twitter.com/CdWJeVllv8
— Shailendra Panwar (@ImShailu483) February 5, 2018
This is not the first time that a cricketer has exhibited such bravery, despite being injured. The sight of Proteas skipper Graeme Smith batting with broken hand in Sydney Test 2009 and legendary India spinner Anil Kumble bowling with a bandaged face in Antigua Test 2002 are still fresh in cricket fans’ memory.
After being put into bat by Uttar Pradesh captain Akshdeep Nath at Lohnu Cricket Ground Bilaspur, Delhi openers Unmukt Chand and Hiten Dalal shared 107-run partnership for the first wicket. Wicketkeeper batsman Rishabh Pant scored 28 off 18 balls whereas middle-order batsman Nitish rana contributed with a handy innings of 31.
In replay, the UP team got bundled out for 252 in 45.3 overs with Kulwant Khejroliya claiming 4 wickets and skipper Pradeep Sangwan picking up 3 wickets.
