Kochi: Veteran Yuvraj Singh failed with the bat as minnows Rajasthan shocked Punjab by 4 wickets in a group B encounter of the Syed Mushtaq T20 tournament, here today.
Batting first, Punjab managed a paltry 130 for six in 20 overs with Mandeep Singh smashing 76 off 52 balls with seven fours and three sixes. Yuvraj was dismissed by a slower delivery from Rajat Bhatia, caught by Rajesh Bisnoi.
Save Mandeep, only Gurinder Singh (29 no) crossed the 20-run mark. Bhatia again proved his skills as slow medium pacer in this format with figures of 2/16 in 4 overs.
In reply, Rajasthan were reeling at 76 for five in 14 overs but a 53 run stand between Rajesh Bishnoi (58) and Dishant Yagnik (23 no) put them on the cusp of victory.
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Bishnoi hit four boundaries and equal number of sixes in his 32-ball innings.
Yuvraj did bowl well taking two wickets for 16 runs but it was difficult to stop the opposition while defending such a low total.
Punjab captain Harbhajan Singh did not play today's match due to some personal commitments and will take part in the next game.
Brief Scores: Punjab 130/6 in 20 overs (Mandeep Singh 76 no, Yuvraj Singh 2)
Rajasthan 133/6 in 19.4 overs (Rajesh Bishnoi 58, Dishant Yagnik 23 no). Rajasthan won by 4 wickets.
Electing to bat after winning the toss, Haryana's batting failed the team with skipper Nitin Saini's 44-ball 50 being the only bright spot.
The seasoned Virender Sehwag came a cropper, dismissed after adding just 3 runs to the military medium pace of Rajagopal Sathish.
The swashbuckler, who retired from international cricket last year, is playing this tournament as part of his preparations for the upcoming Masters Champions League.
