Excelsior Sports Correspondent
Jammu, Oct 7: Ian Bell played a crucial innings and helped his team to secure their second win in Legends League 2024 as they defeated Gujarat Giants by 4 wickets at the MA Stadium, here today.
After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Morne van Wyk and skipper Shikhar Dhawan opened the innings for Gujarat Giants. While Shikhar made just 1 from 3 balls, Morne van Wyk added 10 from 16 balls. Chris Gayle scored 21 from 11 balls. They were down to 38/4 in 6 overs. Mohammad Kaif and Yashpal Singh added 64 runs for the fifth wicket partnership. Kaif made 40 from 41 balls and Yashpal Singh scored 20 from 29 balls. Debabrata Das remained unbeaten on 20* from 13 balls to help his team post a total of 134/6 in 20 overs.
For India Capitals, Iqbal Abdulla was the pick of the bowlers who took 3/24 in 4 overs. Dhawal Kulkarni took 2/17 in 4 overs. Ashley Nurse bagged 1/13 in 3 overs.
With a target of 135 on the board, Naman Ojha and Dwayne Smith came to open the innings for India Capitals. They faced an early setback as they were down to 21/3 in 3.4 overs. Naman Ojha made 2 from 11 balls, Smith added 8 from 6 balls and Iqbal Abdulla was dismissed without opening his account. Colin de Granhomme scored 14 from 6 balls. Skipper Ian Bell took the responsibility on his shoulders as he anchored the innings and helped his team win the match. He remained unbeaten on 41* from 49 balls. Ben Dunk played a vital knock of 22 from 14 balls. Bharat Chipli also contributed with 22 from 21 balls. Ashley Nurse remained not out on 11* from 11 balls. India Capitals chased down the target in the last ball of the innings.
For Gujarat Giants, Manan Sharma remained the pick of the bowlers who took 4/24 from 4 overs. Yashpal Singh 1/19 in 3 overs.
Gujarat Giants – 134/6 (20)
Mohammad Kaif 40 (41) Iqbal Abdulla 3/24 (4)
Chris Gayle 21 (11) Dhawal Kulkarni 2/17 (4)
Debabrata Das 20 (13) Ashley Nurse 1/13 (3)
India Capitals – 135/6 (20)
Ian Bell 41 (49) Manan Sharma 4/24 (4)
Ben Dunk 22 (14) Yashpal Singh 1/19 (3)
Bharat Chipli 22 (21) S. Sreesanth 0/16 (3)