Sampada Dixit’s unbeaten 60 guides UP to 9-wicket win over Baroda

Kanpur: A composed unbeaten half-century by Sampada Dixit, backed by two crucial partnerships, powered Uttar Pradesh Women to a convincing nine-wicket victory over Baroda in a Senior Women's One-Day Trophy pool league match at the Niranjan Shah Stadium on Saturday.Electing to bat first, Baroda were bowled out for 158 in 42.5 overs. Uttar Pradesh chased down the target comfortably, losing just one wicket in 29.5 overs. Opening the innings, Sampada Dixit and Varnika put on a solid 85-run partnership for the first wicket in 15.4 overs. While Sampada anchored the chase, Varnika played the aggressor's role, scoring a brisk 58 off 55 balls. Sampada contributed 27 runs in the opening stand.After the fall of the first wicket, Sampada stitched an unbeaten 74-run partnership for the second wicket with Muskan Malik to take the team home. Sampada remained not out on 60 off 77 balls, striking eight boundaries, while Muskan made an unbeaten 39 off 47 balls with five fours. For Baroda, Kesha was the lone wicket-taker, returning figures of 1 for 24.Earlier, Baroda's innings faltered as they slumped to 86 for 6. Shikha Pandey and captain Hani Patel attempted a recovery with a 38-run stand for the seventh wicket before Khushi Tyagi broke the partnership by dismissing Hani for 12. Shikha scored 24 off 44 balls. Among the lower order, Pragya Rawat top-scored with a fighting 27 off 32 balls, including four boundaries.For Uttar Pradesh, Sandhya Chhetri starred with the ball, claiming 4 for 27, while skipper Archana Devi chipped in with 2 for 30. tnn