Navi Mumbai, March 5: The teenage sensation, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, smashed 58 off just 19 balls to lead DY Patil Blue to the semi-finals of the 20th DY Patil T20 Cup, defeating Income Tax by four wickets in the quarter-finals held at the DY Patil University ground.
Suryavanshi hit four boundaries and six sixes, providing the early impetus for DY Patil Blue to chase down Income Tax's imposing total of 211/6 with an over to spare. Captain Shashank Singh also contributed with an unbeaten 53 off 32 balls, hitting two fours and four sixes.
For Income Tax, captain Rahul Tewatia produced a breathtaking unbeaten 83 off 35 balls, laced with eight boundaries and six sixes. However, his individual effort was not enough to prevent the defeat. India's left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Shahbaz Ahmed contributed with 2-36, but it proved insufficient.
Meanwhile, at the DY Patil Stadium, left-handed opener Priyansh Arya once again rose to the occasion with a stunning 76 off 29 balls – studded with 10 boundaries and five sixes – as DY Patil Red beat DTDC by 14 runs in the other quarter-final.
Arya's performance helped DY Patil Red post a commanding 226/5 in their 20 overs. DTDC fought back but could only manage 212/7. Captain Krunal Pandya was the pick of the bowlers with 3-50, while Saumy Pandey took 2-22 and Prince Badiani chipped in with 1-16.
The semi-finals of the tournament, considered a preparatory competition for IPL 2026, will be played on Friday. At the DY Patil Stadium, DY Patil Red will face Canara Bank at 11 am, while at the DY Patil University Ground, Mumbai Customs will face DY Patil Blue. The final of the competition will be held at 6:30 pm at the DY Patil Stadium.
Brief Scores:
At DY Patil Stadium – DY Patil Red 226/5 in 20 overs (Priyansh Arya 76, Atharva Kale 56; Shreyas Gurav 2-35) beat DTDC 212/7 in 20 overs (Vinay Kunwar 49 not out, Gautam Waghela 42; Krunal Pandya 3-50, Saumya Pandey 2-22) by 14 runs
At DY Patil University – Income Tax 211/6 in 20 overs (Rahul Tewatia 83 not out, Harvik Desai 32; Prayumn 2-26) lost to DY Patil Blue 212/6 in 19 overs (Vaibhav Suryavanshi 58, Shashank Singh 53 not out; Parth Rekhade 3-33, Shahbaz Ahmed 2-36) by four wickets
