Teams: Storm Riders( Karthikeyan Narayanan* †, Sriram Kannan, Sabeer M, Saurabh Kherdekar, Prabhu Samuels, Pandidurai Ganapathy, Vishwanath Balachandran, Rahul Pandey, Hariharan Subramanian, Ramesh Rajan, Arunkumar Kasi)
Edison Cricket Club(Karthick Ramani, Krisahna Kurpachi, Balwinder Katoch, Maha Swaminathan, Happy Manocha, Sanjay Sharma*, Abhishek Dwivedi, Srinivas Nathani, Bala Muthuswamy, Vipin Sharma, Rajesh Kuwar)
Match started by a prolific opening bowling spell by Srinivas and Abhishek. Our opening pair lost their wicket without disturbing the scoresheet, Sriram could not repeat the effort of last match in which he scored 26 runs, and he got out after a stumbling catch by Krisahna. Now, Sabeer and Saurabh were in the crease, they looked as they were off to a good partnership but then Saurabh departed after scoring just 2 runs again the bowler was Srinivas.Prabhu didn’t help the cause either and gave away his wicket to Abhishek scoring just 3 runs. At this point it was certain that we are off to the worst start.Sabeer after surviving 17 balls gave his wicket again to awesome Srinivas scoring 5 runs. This brought Vishwa and Pandidurai on the crease, who was hungry for runs and a better performance. Srinivas and Edison CC were on the role at this point of time. It was due to sensible and attacking batting display during the middle overs by Rahul (scored 15) with support from Pandi (scored 13) gave the only good partnership of the innings. In the end we saw a crisp six over mid wicket by Hari boosting the team morale and by then bowlers believed that they got at least a total to defend on, Storm Riders collapsed on 57 with 2 balls left. Edison CC was set to chase a low target of 58 runs in 96 balls.
In between the innings, Karthik boasted the team not to lose hope and stick to the basics. As we knew it will be very difficult for any team to chase 58 runs, given our bowling strength and weather conditions. The team’s enthusiasm and energy level was very high. All we need was some early wickets and good start.
It all started after Sabeer getting the first wicket of Krisahna in his second over Karthik taking a good catch behind the wicket. These brought tempo of the team high. It was followed by a hard catch made look easy by Rahul at his favorite position in covers of K Ramani, who was in good form throughout the tournament. The team’s enthusiasm was amazing to watch. Sabeer gave us a very good start also acknowledged by Saurabh on the other side, they both created good pressure on the opponent by bowling at right places. We saw first bowling change in Vishwa who also did not disappoint us by taking quick wicket of Happy Manocha. Now come the man of the game, Karthik, every time the ball is in his hands the batsman got puzzled by his sudden variations. Karthik along with Vishwa balled consistently in mid-overs and during the end. Karthik was all over the opponents taking four important catches. The catch of Sanjay Sharma was a tough one followed by a critical runout of Maha. Rahul took an important catch at long on. Although runs were hard to get, but due to some average fielding, they were able to get them. Ramesh made a marvelous stop by saving a potential boundary. When it came down to the end of the innings, everyone thought that we were 10 runs short. Edison CC just require 2 runs of the last over with 2 wickets remaining; only a miracle can save us now.
The Phenomenon Last Over:Ball was in Karthik’s hand, Bala Muthuswamy the striker, Vipin Sharma in non-striking end. 2 runs require of 6 balls, 1 run to draw. Each and every fielder was on their toes, wanting to stop a single. First ball, Bala tried to loft the ball but was beaten. Second ball, Bala could not read the ball and was bowled!!!, this bring the opponent to a standstill, who by this time were almost sure that they will win. This brought last batsman Rajesh Kuwar on strike, facing third ball, it was a dot ball, went to Saurabh (behind the wicket). Rajesh was perplexed and tension showed in his face, while the intensity grew exponentially by this time and the pressure was on both teams. Here comes the fourth ball, again the same result, ball went to Saurabh’s Hand, pressure grew immensely as Vipin called Rajesh for a small talk in between, asking him tocalm down. Fifth ball, what a delivery it was, again the batsman could not touch the ball; it all came down to that final ball now. Again Vipin on the non-strinking end called Rajesh and had a chat, we all knew this is a do or die situation, the intensity; pressure blew out of the box now, it was a nail biting scenario in the stands and over the field. The last and the final ball: Rajesh on strike, on his mind probably to run at any cost, Karthik was set to unfold the last ball drama, and he bowled his best delivery, he bowled Bala of the last ball and secured Storm Riders a victory by 1 run. The whole world for Rajesh, Vipin and Edison CC came to a standstill and joy outburst in the Storm Riders team every one hugged Karthik for his brilliant bowling and temperament.
WOW WHAT A GAME…. THIS IS CRICKET FOR YOU FOLKS!! ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN IN THE FIELD!!! But in the end it all came to one old adage: FORTUNE FAVOURS THE BRAVE!!!
Summary -
League: NJSBCL
Match Number: 101
Storm Riders:
57/10 in 15.4( Rahul 15, Pandidurai 13, Srinivas- 5/19, Abhishek 3/12)
Edison CC:
56/10 in 16( Sanjay 12, Maha 11, Karthik- 3/10, Sabeer- 3/15, Saurabh- 2/14)
Man of the Match – Karthik for involving in eight dismissals out of ten and bowling a double wicket maiden last over. 4 catches, 1 Runout and 3 wickets. 4-1-10-3.
Team Form Factor-
Batting: Below Average
Bowling: Excellent
Fielding: Average
Team Bonding: Excellent
Intensity- Excellent
Match report prepared by Rahul Pandey
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