Spinner Deepak Sharma took four for 16 in four overs as hosts Jamia Millia Islamia clinched a 10-wicket victory over Jiwaji, Gwalior in the semifinal of the Toyota University Cricket Champ­ionship on Thursday. Sharma’s strikes helped Jamia skittle out Jiwaji for 61 in 18.1 overs and they then chased down the target in less than nine overs, reaching 62 in 18.3 overs. Jamia seamer Abhay Negi struck two early blows from which Jiwaji could not recover with only two batsmen reaching double figures.
Shivam Sharma was unbeaten on 43 for Jamia. Mumbai University will take on Jain in Mumbai in the second semi-final on Friday.

Concept praised
Former India skipper Kapil Dev, who was at the match, praised the concept of university cricket gaining popularity.
Asked if T20 was the right format to function as a feederline, he said: “At least there is a start somewhere. Honestly speaking, there weren’t many fast-bowling allrounders before (I came onto the scene) also. But the last 15-20 years have been impressive, so far as the production line of pacemen go.”