Himachal enter Ranji Plate final

Himachal Pradesh beat former champions Railways by seven wickets in Dharamsala on Sunday to enter the Ranji Trophy Plate division final, thereby sealing a berth in next season's Super League.

They will now clash with Orissa for the Plate title at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack from January 28 to February 1.

It was a memorable day for Himachal as they defeated a team with five international players, including left-arm spinner Murali Kartik.

Requiring 137 to win, the hosts lost early wickets but recovered to win in convincing fashion.

Himachal lost their first two wickets without a run on the board, but a brilliant knock of 61 by Munish Gupta and an aggressive 59 from former captain Sangram Singh earned them a place in the final.

Earlier, Railways were dismissed for 269 with Sarandeep Singh claiming five wickets for 67 and V S Mallik scalping three. Vishal Bhatia took two, taking his match haul to eight wickets.

Brief scores:

Railways (229 and 269) lost to Himachal Pradesh (362 and 142 for three) by seven wickets.