Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, July 26: Team effort and display of composure by skipper Ian Dev Singh in crunch situation helped Surya Risers to register a narrow 3-run win over strong side of Kehwa Kings in a thriller to consolidate their position in the ongoing Jammu and Kashmir Corporate Premier League (JKCPL) at MA Stadium, here today.
Earlier, winning the toss and batting first, Surya Risers, having a full measure of rival team’s batting ability, scored a decent total of 164 runs in the stipulated 20 overs according to their plan, losing 6 wickets in the process. The team rode on a swashbuckling innings of 57 runs off 44 balls by Pranav Gupta, studded with 7 crispy boundaries and one six to set a formidable target. Skipper Ian Dev Singh contributed valuable 36 off 28 balls with the help of 5 boundaries. He was unfortunate to get run out as a superb piece of fielding act by Kehwa skipper Adil Reshi plotted his dismissal. Vikas Hathvala played a brief but brisk innings of 25 runs off 20 balls, studded with delectable 4 fours. Coming in as an opener, Vikas is continuing the job of setting a platform for the other batsmen so far in this league. Rompy Sharma, who is proving to be a utility player for his side, chipped in with 18 runs including 3 boundaries. For Kehwa Kings, Arshid, Pardeep Bali, Shahid Baba and Adil Reshi took one wicket apiece.
In reply, Kehwa Kings, after a great effort by most of the batsmen fell short of just 3 runs. It was the composure displayed by skipper Ian Dev Singh in the pressure cooker scenario, which helped his team to win a thriller. Apart from the superb field placements, Ian took a magical step by bringing in speedster Shiv Dutt in the crucial last over after receiving heavy thrashing in his first spell and the bowler in turn proved his captain right by restricting the batsmen from getting required 10 runs in the last over. Arshid Khawaja, the prolific run-getter of this league top scored with 35 runs off 21 balls, hitting 5 boundaries and one six, while Sahil Shafi contributed well made 31 off 17 balls including 5 boundaries. Hilal also played a brilliant innings of 28 runs of 21 balls, studded with 5 boundaries, while Adil Reshi and Pardeep Bali chipped in with 19 and 17 runs respectively. For Surya Risers, left-arm spinner, Rompy Sharma took 2 wickets, while Nitin Mehra, Inderjeet Singh and Shiv Dutt calimed one wicket apiece.
Pranav Gupta of Surya Risers was adjudged HDFC man of the match, while Arshid Khawaja got the TCI Maximum Sixes Award. The awards were given to them by a presentation team including provincial chief of the league, Hilal Rather, match referee and former International umpire, SK Bansal and former Ranji trophy player Nazir Magray.
The match was officiated by BCCI panel umpires Amit Bansal and Sudhir Singh, while Dheeraj and Mohsin acted as scorers.
In the tomorrow’s fixture, Saifco Lions will take on Jumbo Gladiators at 2 pm at the same venue.
Follow our WhatsApp channel