Tigers almost mauled Engineers
By Rahul Tiwari
The game was a last minute arrangement and Tigers had a very good chance to avenge their defeat they suffered the repvious week in a D/N match. But their batting done them in but the Engineers did provide a glimmer of hope, but just. The game got off to a delayed start under gloomy skies.
The Engineers started on the back-foot as they were 1 player short, were wihtout some key players and then went on to lose the toss as well. Tigers had no hesitation in batting first. Despite taking the field with just 10 players the Engineers opening bowlers, Rajeesh and new comer Shailaj, put up a fine show. They bowled an immaculate line and length and did not allow the Tigers opening pair of Anil and Rajeev to get away. Even singles were restricted as the Tigers scored just 18 runs in the first 7 overs. With no option left but to take risks, Rajeev and Anil started taking risky singles. Rajeev beat a direct throw from Ganesh, but was not that lucky the second time as another accurate throw from Ganesh found him short.
Mithun survived a very close run-out shout before even having faced a ball, but did not last long as he holed out to long off, of his first delivery. Rajesh held on to a well judged catch off Shailaj. Every batsman found the going tough as Raju and Saijesh continued their tight line. Anil tried to up the ante and hit a couple of balls to the boundary but was did not last long and fell with the score on 45. Saijesh and Ganesh scalped 3 wickets each as the Tigers were bowled out for 89 of which 23 were wides which could have proved crucial in this low scoring affair.
With the asking rate at exactly 3 runs per over IECC opened with Santosh and Rahul. Rajeev operating from round the stumps, scalped Santosh caught at slip with the one that went across in the second over of the innings. Atul came out and hit a few lusty blows to keep the score ticking. Rajeev once again cut short his innings with a caught and bowled. Javed joined Rahul in the middle and kept scoring aggressively. He was trapped in front trying to play across the line to a straight one. Rahul fell trying to hoick one over long on. Raju and Sanjeeb were cleaned up by balls that kept low and suddenly a game which should have been an easy chase for the batting side was on the line. 26 runs were needed with 4 wickets in hand.
Saijesh batted beautifully under pressure and hit a couple of boundaries to take the Engineers close. With just 4 needed he was trapped infront. To their credit, Tigers kept up the pressure right through the innings and there were some close shouts against Saijesh and Shailaj. Shailaj sealed the game in the 24th over to take the Engineers home. It was a game which should have been won comfortably by the Engineers but were made to sweat by the Tigers. With the KCL starting next week, Engineers have a lot of improvement to do if they are to advance in that tournament.
Brief scores: ITCC 89/10 in 26 overs Anil (38), Ganesh (3/10),Saijesh (3/13) IECC 93/8 in 24 overs Saijesh(18), Atul(15), Rajeev(2/35)