The
league phase over, we moved on to the eliminator stage – in other words, the
business end of the tournament! We had a lineup of three exciting matches, with
the three winners moving on to the semi-finals, where they would be joined by
the best losing team (on points or Net Run Rate).
Match 1: Vedic Naturals vs Shekh Sarai XI
This was a
highly anticipated game. Vedic Naturals has a strong batting lineup, led by
opener-captain Cristy and their middle-order rock, Devraj. Shekh Sarai is a
good all-round side, headed by opener-captain Digvijay, and Ajay (the Jacques
Kallis of their team).
Shekh Sarai
XI won the toss and elected to field first, hoping to exploit early movement in
the wicket. Cristy was not to be deterred, however, and he began by spanking
two sixes off Anil Jha in the second over of the match. He looked in ominous
touch during the powerplay overs, with 35 from 16 balls. But that is when
Karamveer from Shekh Sarai produced a moment of brilliance. Cristy mis-timed a
hoick over mid-wicket off the bowling of Anil Jha, and the ball skied towards
the vacant field. Karamveer ran backwards from short mid-wicket, stretched out
his arms, and took the most stunning catch of our tournament. Another wicket
followed two balls later and Vedic Naturals looked in a bit of trouble at 46
for 3.
 |
| The two top performers of the match, Ajay (left) and Devraj |
Devraj (59)
and NP Singh (31), however, steadied their innings, and they set themselves up
for a strong final punch, ending at an impressive 186 for 9. Shekh Sarai had
paid the price for a number of dropped catches. Ajay (2 for 18 from 4 overs)
and Anil Jha (4 for 30 from 4) were their best performers with the ball. In the
chase, Team Shekh Sarai suffered an early setback, with captain Digvijay out
LBW out in the second over of the match off Kuldeep. Vijayant (46) and Ajay
(66) then made sure that no other wickets fell in the early part of the
innings. The partnership was finally broken in the 10th over, when
Vijayant was run out. From their Shekh Sarai lost regular wickets, but while
Ajay was there, they were still in the game. 53 were finally needed from 24
balls – a gettable target in T20 cricket. However, that is when they lost
Ajay’s wicket – also run out for 66 (38 balls). That was the knock-out blow,
and Shekh Sarai lost by 15 runs.
Vedic Naturals: 9/186 in 20 overs
Devraj 59 (39)
Cristy 35(17)
Anil Jha 4/30 (4)
Ajay 2/18 (4)
Shekh Sarai XI: 7/171 in 20 overs
Ajay 66 (38)
Vijayant 44 (36)
Kapil 2/29 (4)
SPARTAN Man of the Match: Devraj
Match 2: Hindustan Tiles vs CSCA
This
match-up pitted two teams looking to go all the way. Both are strong bowling
and fielding sides, and they had won their matches by choking opposition
batsmen. CSCA won the toss, and unsurprisingly decided to field first. They did
what they do best – bowl a stifling line and length, and after the 6 powerplay
overs, Hindustan Tiles were a mere 33 for 2. Sameer (32), Alex (39), and Ajay
(22 not out) got together to revive the innings in the middle overs, but the
bowlers all chipped in to keep the total down to a very manageable 139.
 |
| Ajay (right) receiving his award |
140 was not
a big chase, but the best bowler of our tournament, left-arm spinner Sudesh
Kumar ‘Billa’ choked the CSCA batsmen for air with his stranglehold of line,
length and flight. With 4 for 15 from his 4 overs, he ran through their entire
middle order. After 12 overs CSCA were down and out at 63 for 7. We all
prepared for an early wrap-up. That is when Ajay walked in, and he was in no
mood to quit. Much to our surprise, he was no tail-ender either. Playing predominantly
with a straight bat and employing a combination of deceptive power and timing,
he delivered one of the best single-handed match-winning performances you would
ever see in T20 cricket. He scored 53 not out from 26 balls, featuring 5
towering sixes. He was ably supported by wicketkeeper batsman Bhaskar, who
scored 46 from 43 balls. Crucially, one of Ajay’s maximal hits came in the
final over, with 7 runs needed off 3 balls. CSCA sealed the game with one ball
to spare, and their post-match celebration would have befitted a world-cup
winning effort.
Hindustan
Tiles walked away shell-shocked, and who could blame them!
Hindustan Tiles: 9/139 in 20 overs
Alex 39 (36)
Sameer 32 (23)
Chirag 3/30 (4)
Devender 1/16 (3)
CSCA: 8/140 in 19.5 overs
Ajay 53* (26)
Bhaskar 46 (43)
Sudesh ‘Billa’
4/15 (4)
SPARTAN Man of the Match: Ajay
Match 3: Globex International vs Stoners
The
quality of cricket had impressed us in the first two eliminators on Saturday,
and we had much to look forward to in the final eliminator match on Sunday.
Once again, these were two strong teams, powered by sharp bowling attacks.
Globex International won the toss, and they continued our tournament trend of
bowling first. We had noticed how heavily Stoners had relied on Ayush’s bat,
and he once again held the key to Team Stoners’ innings.
Left-arm
seamer Zubair began proceedings, and he delivered a blow with the first ball of
the innings, clean bowling opener Shreyans. The killer punch came in his next
over, as he knocked out Ayush for 4. From there on, Stoners never managed to
gather any momentum, and they were bundled out for 106. In response, Globex
International were 67 for 3 in 10 overs, and the match seemed to be a shut out.
What followed were the ten most infamous overs of our tournament, and it is
hard for us to explain what exactly happened and why. Globex had already
qualified for the semi-finals, even if they lost the match, and it seemed like
they took that statistic to heart. Opener-captain Faiz and Ajay gave up their
intent to win and they finished at a shocking 98 for 4 from 20 overs. After
much deliberation, Globex International was found guilty of deliberate negative
cricket and unsporting conduct, and as per ICC rules, captain Faiz was banned
for one game.
As
organizers, we hope never to see a repeat of such cricket at our tournaments,
and if a team is found guilty of deliberately losing a game, the organizers
commit to taking strong action.
Stoners: 106 all out in 18.5 overs
Zubair
3/13 (4)
Globex International: 4/98 in 20 overs
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