NEW DELHI, October 6: National champions Air India and Haryana won their first-round league matches in the North Zone Women's Cricket Championships being held at Kamla Nehru College grounds here today, beating Delhi and Chandigarh, respectively.Air India defeated Delhi by 64 runs. Electing to bat first, Air India made 184 for 6 in 40 overs. Smitha Harikrishnan (48) was the main scorer. Delhi were restricted to 120 for eight in 40 overs. Meenakshi Gupta (28) and Rakhi Mehra (47) were the main contributors.
In another match, Haryana beat Chandigarh (UT) by eight wickets. Chandigarh's decision to bat first misfired as they were dismissed for a paltry 99 in 39.5 overs. Neelam Rana (28) and Chetna (25) were the top scorers. Haryana replied with 100 for 2 in 34 overs. Sunaina (38) and Janaki (22 n.o) were their main contributors.
Brief Scores: Air India: 184 for 6 in 40 overs (Smitha Harikrishnan 48, Manju Nadgoda 33, Sangeeta Kamat 32, Purnima Rao 29, Kusumlata 2/13, Kalpith Masumkar 2/10).
Delhi: 120 for 8 in 40 overs (Meenakshi Gupta 28, Rakhi Mehra 47, Deepa Kulkarni 2/8, Mamata Ranade 2/13).
Chandigarh: 99 (Neelam Rana 28, Chetna 25, Simaoma 3/12, Janaki 2/24).
Haryana: 100 for 2 (Sunaina 38, Janaki 22 not out).
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