LFL Match 21: SRT XI vs Shekh Sarai XI

Brief Scores

SRT XI:                                                 9 / 160 in 20 overs

                                                            Amit Dedha 54 (32)

                                                            Ajay 3/27 (4)

                                                            Anil 2/32 (4)                                                                        

                                                            Tarun 1/14 (4)

                                                                                                                                               

Shekh Sarai XI:                                     92 all out in 14.4 overs

                                                            Ajay 38 (21)

                                                            Sachin 3/13 (3.4)

                                                            Gaurav 2/4 (1)

                                                            Rahul 2/10 (2)

Man of the Match:                                 Amit (SRT XI)

Best Performer Shekh Sarai:                Ajay

Complete Scorecard:                            http://bit.ly/1ztq20s

Combative SRT Fight Out a Big Win, Keep Hopes Alive

Sunday was Group C double-header day, and the second encounter was every bit as tense for the two teams as the first one. The winner got to keep qualification hopes alive; loser was out. As straightforward and intense as round robin play can possibly get.

We expected fierce combat, and the intensity from both sides was palpable from ball one. The pattern of attack and counter-attack was established early, and as it often happens in games like these, honors were even heading into the match’s last ten overs and the opportunity to seize momentum was up for grabs. SRT’s spinners took charge in this high pressure phase, triggering a dramatic collapse and completing a comprehensive win with time to spare.

SRT has one spinner of each variety, and they all combined to skittle out Shekh Sarai’s last 7 wickets for 18 runs in under five overs. Undoubtedly, they were buoyed by wicket-keeper Shivam, who completed three stumpings in as many opportunities, and their captain Gautam, who rotated the bowlers with precision and positioned fields to maximize impact. Earlier in the day, SRT middle order batsman Amit was responsible for giving his team a launch-pad, with a rapid 54 that held the innings together and propelled them to a fighting total of 160.

Two Teams Trade Punches at the Start

Amit (R), receiving the man of the match award

Shekh Sarai XI pulled the first punch of the match, with Ajay dismissing Shivam off the innings’ second ball The batsman’s suicidal attempt to clear the in-field ended in a safe catch to Anil at mid off. Rahul, walking in next, got lucky as he was put down at slip off the first ball of the next over. From there, however, SRT followed up with a rapid counter-strike, as the left-right duo of Sachin (22) and Rahul (17) punished the seamers for eight boundaries in five overs, including a cocktail of aggressive cover drives, pulls and slashes. Karamveer eventually cut Rahul’s adventurous innings short with an excellent return catch diving to his left off a hard and flat hit. Sachin was stumped in the very next off left-arm spinner Tarun, and after 6, the score was a somewhat precarious 41 / 3.

Amit’s Super Knock Bolsters SRT

Needing to construct a partnership, Amit and Gaurav began watchfully before unleashing a brutal attack in the 9^th over. Gaurav lifted Karamveer over mid-wicket for a big six, and Amit followed it up with a full-blooded pull and a swing over long on. 19 came off the over, offsetting Tarun’s tight spell of classic left-arm spin bowling from the other end. The spinner bowled a teasing length and turned the ball from the right spots, beating the bat on a few occasions and forcing the batsmen to play watchfully. He ended with impressive figures of 4 – 1 – 14 – 1. Spurred to attack from the other end, Gaurav was trapped in front of his stumps by off-spinner Sanjay in the 11^th, only for Anuj to join Amit for another attacking partnership.

Off-spinner Digvijay was carted for two big leg-side sixes in the 14^th over, before Sanjay was meted out the same treatment in the next over. Both batsmen shared honors, and Amit reached his fifty with a punch and a cut off Anil in the 16^th over.

Ajay was the best performer for Shekh Sarai XI

He was finally dismissed in the same over, caught by the wicket-keeper off an awkwardly attempted paddle shot. His 54 had come of 32 balls (5 sixes), and the score now read 131. During Amit’s stay at the crease, SRT XI had put on 90 runs in 59 balls.  Anuj fought on for two more overs, before being caught at extra cover off Anil for a crucial contribution of 22. The seamers bottled the run scoring somewhat in the final overs, with Ajay (3 for 27), Anil (2 for 32) and Karamveer (2 for 37) all playing their part.

Early Wickets But Ajay Keeps Shekh Sarai Alive

Amit’s day was not over. Bowling seam up, he picked up Tarun’s wicket in the 1^st over, caught at mid-on. Kartik bagged Vijayant from the other end, and after 4 overs, the score read a dismal 13 / 2. Ajay and captain Digvijay, Shekh Sarai’s two best batsmen, unleashed a counter-attack in the 5^th over, with the highlight being the skipper’s straight six off a slower delivery. Kartik, however, struck a blow in the next over, trapping Digvijay LBW.

Left-arm spinner Sachin took 3 wickets

At 30 / 3, the chase  might have derailed early but for Ajay’s fighting knock. Refusing to be shackled, he smacked Ravi for a six over point in the 7^th, before launching Kartik for two risky hits over long-off and extra cover in the next over. Leg-spinner Rahul came on to bowl the 10^th, and was welcomed by Ajay with a six just over long-on’s fingertips. With 87 needed off 61 and Ajay on 38, SRT had reason to be concerned. Rahul, however, dismissed the threat and bagged the game for his team, teasing Ajay with a flighted delivery which the batsman missed, only for Shivam to complete a safe stumping.

Final Collapse

The rest capitulated without much fight, as the leg-spinner teamed up with off-spinner Gaurav and left-armer Sachin for 7 wickets. Junmeet watched helplessly, stranded at 15 not out, as his team was bundled out of the tournament. The highlight of this final spell was a brilliant catch by Mohan at long-off. Anil lifted Rahul to the boundary, expecting the ball to clear the fielder. Mohan, however, reached out, palmed the ball up, regained his balance and completed a superb catch.

Amit was the obvious choice for the Man of the Match award for his excellent knock of 54, backed up by a wicket in the 1^st over. All-rounder Ajay, unsurprisingly, was the best performer for Shekh Sarai for his 3-27 and knock of 38.