Match report by Vinay.
A week after IECC knocking out Tigers almost out of Japan Cup, they were back on the field with some fresh looking young Guns & Veterans too this time, to grab their 1st KCL Victory.
The Match was scheduled at Edogawa, onto a newly laid Mat. IECC were looking very much confident on taking Serendib against whom they have a 100% Win record. IECC Players were on time and started their Practise sessions. Men in IECC Jersey all around but Serendib had some late comers which delayed the Toss…But both, the Captains & Umpire from Pak Stars (Mr. Mumtaz Alam) decided to go with the Toss. With clear intentions to Bat 1st, Myself, the Captain & your writer was eager to win the Toss and have a go @ their not so good looking bowling attack but as usual IECC lost the Toss and Serendib decided to Bat first.
We started with our Veteran opening pair, Biju Paul & Rajneesh Shukla. Both of them kept the openers on their feet all the time. Runs coming off extras but nothing with the Bat which kept the openers to think off. Finally one of the opener perished to Rajneesh (1/10) by giving a simple catch to Saif at mid-wicket. After the pair bowled 4 overs each, the Captain decided to bring on our very own Ashok Kumar and to join him was Raman from the other end. Both bowled with good pace and great line which both the batsman couldn’t read. Raman (1/11) produced another break through which was caught excellently at gully by Rahul Manahoran. The ball was travelling with good pace but he managed to grab it well. Rahul was involved in a crucial Run-out too which dent the Serendib Batting further and to make it worse, Rahul (1/11), next in the bowling line up, chipped in with another quick wicket by knocking the Stumps.
Looking at the Tail we didn’t expect it to last long but it did when a batsman was sending our bowlers to every part of the ground. The score started moving and @ drinks the Captain decided to Bring on the Spin-Twin Pavethy & Himself to stop the scoring and wag the tail off.
It worked in the very first over when Pavethy got the other batsman out. Vinay (1/11) at the other end tempted that batsman with some loopy doosra’s to take him on but he couldn’t manage to connect a single one and was finally stumped by Prashant Kumar. Pavethy(4/25) was firing the ball at the tail enders and kept knocking the timber. Finally Serendib were bowled out for 120 Runs, Gaining the 1st Bonus Point for bowling out the Opposition. Pavethy finished off with 4 wickets in his bag, and IECC had to Chase down 121 Runs in 40overs. Rather in less than 20overs to gain the Additional Bonus point which was always on the cards with our strong batting line-up.
Our out-off form Captain, Vinay decided to open himself with in-form Adrit so that he can try to get his form back. The game started after a 15 mins break. Adrit taking the strike off the 1st ball managed to Middle the ball. Serendib bowlers bowled good length but missed their line and few wide deliveries gave us few Byes too. Adrit smashing the bowlers through covers for boundaries and 2’s but Vinay at the other end was being too cautious but that didn’t last long when a short ball shooter which he couldn’t do much off knocked the stumps from below his bat. Another rare DUCK for him.
In came the MoM of previous game Pavethy, who knew was the no1 contender to get it this time too with 4wickets in the 1st innings. He & Adrit together kept the scorecard ticking with one’s & two’s. With no further break through the Serendib Captain decided to keep changing the bowling which never worked as Adrit and Pavethy had now decided to go after them. Adrit dealing in Boundaries & Pavethy in Sixes which bought us very close to the Target as Serendib had already given up their hopes. With six Runs to WIN and Adrit on 45 everyone were expecting a SIX to finish off the game and a well deserved Half Century by him. He took a Single which bought Pave on strike who in turn took another single to bring back Adrit (46) on strike. No wasting time and he smashed the very Next delivery into Deep midwicket, once bounce Four and a very well deserved Half Century and IECC Won the Game in 18.3 overs with 9 Wickets in Hand gaining a total of 2 Bonus Points. Adrit 50* and Pavethy 42* were the Stars of the Chase.
Sachi Mom & KCL MoM (Both going to pavethy) its special note to mention about Adrit’s Fielding who managed deep midwicket and Square as almost every Ball was into him and he had to keep changing quickly for both the Batsmen…commendable Fielding effort and later on opening the inning and playing a not-out innings.
A brief Summary of the Game.
Serendib – 120 All Out (Pavethy 4/25)
IECC – 124/1 (Adrit 50* Pavethy 42*)