DCL Match Preview: SUPERTRON vs RONNIE FINANCE

The last quarter-final match gives us a re-match of a league game. Ronnie Finance start favorites. They have won all their matches so far. They have looked solid in all departments, and no team as yet has managed to expose a weakness. Supertron, however, are the team that gave them the toughest fight. Vished Bangar played an excellent innings and almost got them over the line. They would certainly come into this match believing in their chances.

SUPERTRON

FORM GUIDE

Match 1: Beat Smashers by 78 runs

Match 2: Lost to Ronnie Finance by 21 runs

Match 3: Lost to Stallions by 17 runs

Match 4: Beat Times Internet by 62 runs

OVERVIEW

Supertron’s strength in this tournament has been their top order, and their weakness has been their middle and lower middle order. In each of their 4 games, they have lost only 2 wickets at the halfway mark (103 / 2 vs Smashers, 79 / 2 vs Ronnie Finance, 85 / 2 vs Stallions, 68 / 2 vs Times Internet). Their last 10 over batting performances are a different story (143 / 3 vs Smashers, 93 / 8 vs Ronnie Finance, 67 / 7 vs Stallions, 65 / 8 vs Times Internet). Their best show was in their first match, when they posted 246 (the highest total of the tournament). The curve has steadily sloped down from there. To win this match, they need to buck that trend. Hard hitting Bangar (one of the batsmen of the tournament), Vibhor and Harsh (fastest fifty of the tournament) need to fire, and the middle order will need to make a contribution. 

In spite of some problems with the batting, Supertron have competed hard in all 4 matches, and won 2. Credit for that goes to their excellent bowling unit. They have kept it tight, and barring Ronnie Finance, none of their opposition batsmen have managed to get away. The best part is that Supertron are not over-reliant on 1 or 2 bowlers. Harsh has been consistent, and apart from him, different people have made contributions in different games.

PERFORMANCE INDICATOR

Click here for a complete statistical breakdown of Supertron’s batting and bowling performances in this tournament.

RONNIE FINANCE

FORM GUIDE

Match 1: Beat Stallions by 5 wickets

Match 2: Beat Supertron by 21 runs

Match 3: Beat Smashers by 61 runs

Match 4: Beat Yes Bank by 6 wickets

OVERVIEW

Ronnie Finance have been impressive, to say the least. In the 4 matches they have played, they have chased comfortably in 2 and posted big totals batting first in the other 2. Their strength is the depth in both batting and bowling. The team does not depend on one or two star players. This gives everyone the freedom to express themselves without feeling undue pressure. Nimit is an experienced captain, and he has formed a cohesive team who are happy to play for each other.

Ronnie Finance has opening partnerships of 40, 52, 132, and 32 in the tournament. Opener Gaurav Negi is among the top run getters in the tournament. In the bowling department, left-arm spinner Monu Thapa is the best. With nearly two decades of cricket experience under his belt, he rarely ever bowls a bad ball. Along with control over line and length, he also varies his pace and flight.

PERFORMANCE INDICATOR

Click here  fora complete statistical breakdown of Ronnie Finance’ batting and bowling performances in this tournament.

Supertron have their work cut out. They certainly have the heavy artillery and bowling depth to win this match, but they will have to play like a unit. The middle order in batting will need to fire. Can their batsmen come good towards the end overs of their innings? If they can, this might just be the most explosive battle of the tournament!

DELHI CHAMPIONS LEAGUE EDITION 2: Results and Points Table

POINTS TABLE

Team                     P       W        L      Pts     NRR

[Click on any team name for Performance Indicators]

Group A

Stoners                  3       3        0        6     +1.567

Times Internet           3       2        1        4     -0.361

Tornadoes                3       1        2        2     +1.507 

Yes Bank                 3       0        3        0     -2.933

Group B

Amigos                   3       3        0        6     +2.616

Delhi Blasters           3       2        1        4     +1.157

Mac’s Cricket Club       3       1        2        2     -1.063

22 Yards                 3       0        3        0     -1.852

Group C

Ronnie Finance           3       3        0        6     +1.602

Stallions                3       2        1        4     +1.523

Supertron                3       1        2        2     +0.667

Smashers                 3       0        3        0     -4.208

Group D

SDS Tours                3       2        1        4     +1.867

Sledgehammer Asia        3       2        1        4     -1.00

Destructors              3       1        2        2     +0.117

KEI Cables               3       1        2        2     -0.984

TOP PERFORMERS

Top 10 Batsmen and bowlers (after 39 matches) 

COOL STATS

Highest team total: 246/5 - (Supertron vs Smashers, Match 8)
Highest successful run chase: 208/7 - (Delhi Blasters vs 22 Yards, Match 20)
No of successful run chases: 14 out of 39
Avg total for team batting first: 159 (after 39 matches)
Highest individual score: 136* (Sachin Singh, 22 Yards, Match 20)
Best bowling: 3.2-0-7-5 (Ritesh Dahiya, Amigos, QF vs Tornadoes)
No of centuries: 5
No of 5-wicket hauls: 5

MATCHES

PRE-QUARTERFINALS:

Match 1:    KEI Cables vs Stallions: 
           (KEI Cables won by 55 runs )

Match 2:    Stoners vs 22 Yards: 
           (Stoners won by 86 runs )

Match 3:    Smashers vs Amigos: 
           (Amigos won by 7 wickets )

Match 4:    Sledgehammer Asia vs Tornadoes: 
           (Tornadoes won by 24 runs )

Match 5:    Yes Bank vs Ronnie Finance: 
           (Ronnie Finance won by 6 wkts ) 

Match 6:    Delhi Blasters vs Destructors: 
           (Delhi Blasters won by 8 wkts ) 

Match 7:    Times Internet vs Supertron: 
           (Supertron won by 62 runs )

Match 8:    SDS Tours vs Mac's CC: 
           (Mac's CC won by 106 runs ) 


QUARTERFINALS:

CUP QF1:    Amigos vs Tornadoes: 
           (Amigos won by 7 wickets )

CUP QF2:    KEI Cables vs Mac's CC: 
           (Mac's CC won by 7 wickets )

CUP QF3:    Ronnie Finance vs Supertron

CUP QF4:    Stoners vs Delhi Blasters: 
           (Delhi Blasters won by 60 runs )


PLATE QF1:  Smashers vs Sledgehammer Asia: 
           (Sledgehammer Asia won by 12 runs )

PLATE QF2:  SDS Tours vs Stallions: 
           (SDS Tours won by 3 wickets ) 

PLATE QF3:  Yes Bank vs Times Internet: 
           (Times Internet won by 9 wickets ) 

PLATE QF4:  22 Yards vs Destructors: 
           (22 Yards won by 25 runs )



LEAGUE:

Match 1:    Stoners beat Tornadoes by 24 runs

Match 2:    Ronnie Finance beat Stallions by 5 wickets

Match 3:    Mac’s Cricket Club beat 22 Yards by 15 runs

Match 4:    SDS Tours beat Sledgehammer Asia by 96 runs

Match 5:    Delhi Blasters beat Mac's Cricket Club by 5 wickets

Match 6:    Stoners beat Times Internet by 49 runs 

Match 7:    Destructors beat SDS Tours by 23 runs

Match 8:    Supertron beat Smashers by 78 runs

Match 9:    Amigos beat 22 Yards by 67 runs

Match 10:   Ronnie Finance beat Supertron by 21 runs 

Match 11:   Times Internet beat Tornadoes by 4 wickets 

Match 12:   Sledgehammer Asia beat KEI Cables by 35 runs 

Match 13:   Times Internet beat Yes Bank by 8 wickets

Match 14:   Stallions beat Smashers by 7 wickets

Match 15:   SDS Tours beat KEI Cables by 39 runs

Match 16:   Sledgehammer Asia beat Destructors by 1 run 

Match 17:   Amigos beat Mac's Cricket Club by 37 runs

Match 18:   Stoners beat Yes Bank by 21 runs

Match 19:   Ronnie Finance beat Smashers by 61 runs 

Match 20:   Delhi Blasters beat 22 Yards by 3 wickets

Match 21:   Amigos beat Delhi Blasters by 53 runs 

Match 22:   Tornadoes beat Yes Bank by 7 wickets 

Match 23:   KEI Cables beat Destructors by 25 runs 

Match 24:   Stallions beat Supertron by 17 runs

DCL Plate Semifinal Preview: Amigos vs Mac’s CC

Mac’s CC played Amigos during the league phase and had them on the ropes, but at that point they did not look like a side who believed they could win that match. It is a different team now. They destroyed SDS Tours, before manhandling KEI Cables in the quarterfinals. Big wins give big confidence, so if Amigos are expecting the same team they beat during the league stage, they are in for a surprise.

MAC’s CC

FORM GUIDE

Match 1: Beat 22 Yards by 15 runs

Match 2: Lost to Delhi Blasters by 5 wickets

Match 3: Lost to Amigos by 37 runs

Match 4: Beat SDS Tours by 106 runs

Match 5: Beat KEI Cables by 7 wickets

OVERVIEW

Mac’s CC has the best opening pair in the tournament. Shyam is one of the top run getters of the DCL, and against KEI Cables Hemant came out of his partner’s shadow with one of the most responsible innings of the season. On a tough wicket, he played solid, sensible cricket, scoring 58 not out and seeing his side through to a 7-wicket win.

We have seen that the two complement each other really well. Shyam is an attacking stroke-player, while his partner is happy to cut the risks, drop a single and give him the strike. Hemant plays sedately but he does not eat up deliveries. He is always looking for singles to give his partner the strike, and he has the skill to put bad balls away for boundaries.

Mac’s CC would be heartened by the fact that they finally got a solid middle order contribution in their quarterfinal. Akash played a match-turning 34 not out, giving evidence that there is more depth in the Mac’s CC line-up than we had initially seen. They will need that depth if they are to challenge the tournament’s best bowling attack.  

It is no mystery that Mac’s CC are a very good fielding side, and most of their bowlers are capable of holding their nerves, lines and lengths under pressure. Off-spinner Sonu has been their best bowler in the tournament, and his contribution will be vital. Amigos like to go after the bowling, but here they are up against a team who will not give them too many easy balls and who are also able to hold their catches.

PERFORMANCE INDICATOR

Click here for a complete statistical breakdown ofMac’s CC performance in this tournament.

AMIGOS

FORM GUIDE

Match 1: Beat 22 Yards by 67 runs

Match 2: Beat Mac’s CC by 37 runs

Match 3: Beat Delhi Blasters by 53 runs

Match 4: Beat Smashers by 7 wickets

Match 5: Beat Tornadoes by 7 wickets

OVERVIEW

In their quarterfinal against Tornadoes, the Amigos batsmen showed their versatility. On a bowler’s day, Mohit and Rahul Rana put away their big shots and won that match with classic cricket. We know that Amigos can play the big shots, but they can also gun down tricky chases in good bowling conditions. This makes them formidable.

If we talk of their bowlers, we are talking of the best in the tournament. They have bowled out all 5 teams they have played. The most runs they have conceded is 128 (22 Yards). Ritesh Dahiya is currently the top wicket-taker in the tournament (12 wickets, 14.1 overs, average – 4.83). He is a crafty spinner who mixes up quick off-breaks, vicious leg-break and blistering yorkers. The pair of Rahuls (one a genuine right arm quick and the other a left-arm spinner) have 8 wickets each, and they round up the tournament top ten. The rest of the unit is really capable too, including captain off-spinner Varun. Without an obvious weak link to target, Mac’s will have to produce solid batting and be sharp to pick up anyone who’s having a weak day.

PERFORMANCE INDICATOR

Click here for a complete statistical breakdown ofTeam Amigos performances.

In their last game, Mac’s CC showed that they have the ability to raise their level against a good team, and coming into this match, they don’t lack anything in motivation. They have punched above their weight already. They have nothing to lose, and if they play like that, Amigos will have their hands full. Mac’s, however, are up against one of the best teams not only in this tournament, but anywhere at this level of cricket. Amigos come to win, and expect to win every match they play. It is a classic ‘underdogs vs champions’ setup and it is never easy to predict a match such as this!

DCL Plate Semifinal Preview: Times Internet vs 22 Yards

22 Yards played by far their best match of the tournament against Destructors in the PLATE quarterfinal. A team that had up until then struggled with both bat and ball, put up one of the most outstanding team efforts of the tournament. If they can play that kind of a match again against a strong Times Internet side, this will be a blockbuster!

22 YARDS

FORM GUIDE

Match 1: Lost to Mac’s CC by 15 runs

Match 2: Lost to Amigos by 67 runs

Match 3: Lost to Delhi Blasters by 3 wickets

Match 4: Lost to Stoners by 86 runs

Match 5: Beat Destructors by 25 runs

OVERVIEW

If their performance against Destructors is a measure of how good a team 22 Yards really is, then one can confidently say that they did not play to even 50% potential in the matches before that. Against Destructors, opener Aman set up the match with 62, Sachin made a useful contribution in the middle order, and Kshitij produced a late-innings burst. The bowlers followed it up with excellent discipline. It was a real team effort. If 22 Yards can play to that level again, Times Internet will have their hands full.

The problems came up in the matches before that. Too many bowlers leaked too many runs, and too many batsmen were out of form. On a true batting wicket (rain permitting), Times Internet should look to take the attack to the bowlers and disturb their rhythm. It is a big ground, however, and that gives the 22 Yards spinners a better chance to control the game. Left arm spinners Sachin and Anadi, and opener Aman seem to be the players to watch out for.

PERFORMANCE INDICATOR

Click here for the complete 22 Yards PerformanceIndicator – our unique statistical breakdown of the team’s batting and bowling performances.

TIMES INTERNET

FORM GUIDE

Match 1: Lost to Stoners by 49 runs

Match 2: Beat Tornadoes by 4 wickets

Match 3: Beat Yes Bank by 8 wickets

Match 4: Lost to Supertron by 63 runs

Match 5: Beat Yes Bank by 9 wickets

OVERVIEW

Times Internet only confirmed their bowling merit by restricting Yes Bank to 69 all out in the PLATE quarterfinal. It was an equal contribution of pace and spin from one of the most settled and confident bowling sides of the tournament. The trouble for their opposition is that the Times Internet batsmen have also looked really confident and solid. They have 3 successful run chases under their belt (but also 2 sensational batting collapses- against Stoners and Supertron).

22 Yards should take note of the 2 batting collapses. They have the spinners to trigger a panic attack, and this is not a small ground. It is another matter that 22 Yards will have to guard against a collapse of their own. On the whole, after a poor first match, Times Internet have mostly played excellent all-round cricket, and 22 Yards will have to come in really sharp.

PERFORMANCE INDICATOR

Click here for the Times Internet PerformanceIndicator, with a complete breakdown of their results, top performers in each match, and batting and bowling statistics.

Times Internet has chased in every game so far. If 22 Yards win the toss, they might want to put their opposition in and take them out of their comfort zone. Rain in the evening adds another variable. Batting first may not be very easy. We anticipate a low-scoring thriller – let’s see what we get!