New Delhi: Muklit Bhatt and Daryl Ferrerio’s marvellous half-century helped Coca-Cola India XI outplayed Bangladesh U-17 National Team by nine runs in the 3rd and final match, which was concluded at the Jamia Milia Islamia ground and won the Coca-Cola Cricket Cup International Series 2014 by 2-0. Coca-Cola India XI won the 2nd match yesterday by three wickets. The 1st match was washed-out due to rain.

Coca-Cola India XI won the toss and opted to bat first. They started dominating the match from the first few overs. India XI skipper and Delhi’s young talent Muklit Bhatt led the batting line-up with his brilliant half-century. He smashed seven boundaries and hit a huge six over the mid-on. Muklit scored marvellous 74 runs in just 77 balls.

From the other end, vice-captain Daryl Ferrerio supported his captain and held the ground with his stable innings of 51 runs in 86 balls. The Tamil Nadu batsman irritated opponents’ bowlers with his controlled shots and four boundaries.

Delhi’s another batsman Rishabh Drall scored 35 in 54 balls (2x4) and helped his team to score 247 after losing five wickets in 50 overs.

While chasing, Bangladesh U-17 star batsman Pinak Ghosh steered batting line-up with an inspiring 94-run knock and led the team till the last session. He smashed six boundaries and a huge six in his 124-ball innings. Pinak was well-supported by Saif Hasan (38 in 61 balls, 2x4) and Afif Hussain (36 in 25 balls, 4x4) and took the team to the winning post.

However, Bangladesh U-17 faced a disciplined bowling attack from Indian bowlers, as well as Delhi’s heat. Pinak’s was stumped-out when he was just six runs short of his memorable century in India and that unfortunate dismissal slowed down their run-rate. They managed to reach 238 for four wickets in 50 overs.

Skipper Muklit Bhatt of Delhi was adjudged Man-of-the-Match and Man-of-the-Series. Bangladesh’s Pinak Ghosh was adjudged ‘Best Batsman of the Series’ for his 88 and 94-run innings. Delhi’s Rishabh Drall was adjudged ‘Best Bowler’ for his 4/38 and 1/35 figures.

Ajay Bathija, General Manager-Marketing, Coca-Cola India said on this occasion – “India has a huge talent base in various sports across the country and Coca-Cola India believes in providing platforms to these talents show their skills. Coca-Cola Cricket Cup is one our initiatives and it has gain popularity over the last three seasons. The inter-school tournament unearthed good talents and we send best players to England, where they learn more about their game under excellent coaches. These opportunities help players to transform from young talents to professional players. Coca-Cola India is committed to provide more platforms at grassroots level.”

Brief Scores:

CC Ind XI: 247 for 5 wkts in 50 overs (Muklit Bhatt 74 7x4 1x6, Daryl Ferrerio 51 4x4, Rishabh Drall 35 2x4; Shafiul Hayat 1/16).

BD U-17: 238 for 4 wkts in 50 overs (Pinak Ghosh 94 6x4 1x6, Saif Hasan 38 2x4, Afif Hussain 36 4x4; Atul Kushwaha 2/37, Rishabh Drall 1/35).