Main Umpire: Aditya Leg Umpire: Anirudh
Match Report:
Man of the Match : Neeraj Rohilla (DCC).
Excellent batting by Neeraj at end helped DCC to surpass modest total of 137 .
DCC traveled for more than 3 hours from Morrisville, NC to Salem, VA to play
ROCC. The ground was in a park with concrete pitch with beautiful scenic view
all around the ground.
Captain Mahesh won the toss for DCC and in a relatively overcast condition
decided to field. It was a brave decision considering that DCC has lost both
their matches while chasing targets. The opening pair of Vishal and Atul started
batting well for ROCC.
In the third over of innings Vishal started hitting rank bad balls and he took
18 runs with 3 fours and 1 six of Niranjan’s over. Immediately Mahesh took
Niranjan off the bowling and brought in Raj as first change but he too was
welcomed with a straight six over long on. With his confidence growing Vishal
thought of hitting Hari out of ground and broke his off stump. This was the
moment DCC needed. As soon as first wicket fail Mahesh brought back Niranjan and
it paid dividend as he cleaned up Atul. Other side Raj was bowling well and he
took one wicket caught behind. Niranjan took another wicket of Hiren caught
behind. Reading the nature of pitch Captain brought Saurabh for bowling and he
didn’t disappointed and cleaned up Harish. ROCC was loosing wicket at regular
interval . Then came Neeraj with his gentle off breaks . It was his day today as
he took three wickets. At one point when Pinkesh was batting we thought its
going to be more than 150 for ROCC but Sirish took a good catch of Hari despite
having problem in his ankle. At the end of the innings ROCC could manage 137 in
28.2 overs. This was a good effort by DCC bowler and well supported by fielders.
Tripurari took a good catch to dismiss Devang of Neeraj. Neeraj would have got 4
wickets had Niranjan not missed an easy stumping chance .
After the break DCC started their chase with regular opening pair of Saurabh and
Ravi. They were going well but when score was 22 Ravi played his pull shot but
couldn’t keep the ball on the ground and got out. Saurabh also got out after
trying to cover drive an almost wide ball. Captain promoted himself in the
batting order and he with one down batsman Ashutosh was placing ball beautifully
taking singles at will. All of sudden Ashutosh hit a square cut and was
brilliantly caught a gully by Hiren with his left hand. Hari was promoted in the
batting order to prevent collapse and support Mahesh. But very soon he got LBW
at score of 82. Niranjan went to ground and played his usual game with 1 six and
four to ease pressure. There came a bowling change and Saurin came to bowl. This
was the start of fun and excitement for the match. With his first ball of the
new over he clean bowled Niranjan and score was 107 for 5. Still DCC was in
control but it was Patiala’s cycle stand (In Sidhu’s commentary ). Wicket
started failing and all of sudden score was 116/8 . Now DCC was in tremendous
pressure with victory far ahead. Its worthy to mention that Tripurari who has
got tremendous talent and captain’s confidence failed again with bat with run
out. This was again not his days. May be he is preserving his innings for
playoffs.
Fall of Tripurari’s wicket brought Pankaj to bat . It looks like he had decided
that he will support Neeraj till the end and take DCC through. That time ROCC
got smell of victory and they stopped giving freebies . They were generous in
providing 42 extras. Neeraj hit a six and four to bring difference to 3 runs.
Pankaj got a half volley and tried to finish the game with a boundary missed the
shot and got caught. Last batsman Sirish went for batting and first ball was
huge lbw appeal but was given not out. DCC camp was tensed but discussion was
going on whether Neeraj can bring victory. Second ball of the over Vishal bowled
and Neeraj took a chance and hit him over long on for six and that was a
wonderful victory for DCC after two consecutive defeats. Its pointless to say
that Neeraj was Man of the match for the game. Now hopes are that DCC will again
continue their wining streak.
High quality umpiring was performed by Aditya and Anirudh of CCVT. They were
very consistent and firm on their decision.