5 best performers from the Deodhar Trophy

The victorious India A squad with the 2015/16 Deodhar Trophy (Image courtesy: BCCI)The Deodhar Trophy returned to the Indian domestic scene after having been excluded from the 2014/15 calendar season. However, the traditional inter-zonal setup was scrapped and a new format was brought into place.The trophy only consisted of three teams and had only four matches in all, spanning just four days from January 25 to January 29. The teams who battled for the List A trophy were India A, India B and Gujarat.India A and India B consisted of players chosen based on their performances in the domestic circuit, especially the Vijay Hazare Trophy, India's domestic 50-over tournament. Gujarat, who won the 2015/16 Vijay Hazare Trophy, were the third team in the Deodhar Trophy.However, Gujarat did not have a good run in the Deodhar Trophy as they lost both their games and failed to make it to the final of the tournament. India B who won their first two games of the tournament made it to the final breaking no sweat after good performances from the captain, Unmukt Chand.India A, who lost their first game against India B, won against Gujarat to face off against India B in the finals. The Ambati Rayudu-led squad dominated India B in the final and deservedly lifted the 2015/16 Deodhar Trophy.Although the tournament was very short and lasted only a few games, there were some notable performances from players from all the three sides and here we take a look at some of the best performers of the Deodhar Trophy:

#5 Stuart Binny (India B)

The 31-year-old all-rounder from Karnataka lived up to his billing as he performed well with both bat and ball for India B in the Deodhar Trophy.

In the three matches, Binny picked up five wickets and scored 105 runs. In the first match, Binny bowled brilliantly, picking up two wickets, to help bowl India A out for a mediocre total of 161. He did not have much to bat in the chase as he remained until the end with his captain, Unmukt Chand.

During the second match, Binny came in to bat at a time when his team was in trouble and scored a useful knock of 41 to help his side finish the first innings with a competitive total on board. He also picked up two wickets in that game and helped India B reach the final of the tournament.

In the final of the tournament, none of the batsmen from the India B top-order got going in the chase of 287. At one point of time, India B were 54/5. However, Binny finished the game as the top-scorer with a knock of 60 off 73 balls and gave some respectability to his side. Binny picked up one wicket in the game, the important one of India A captain Ambati Rayudu.