Main Umpire: ROCC Leg Umpire: ROCC
Report:
Some incredible individual performances were witnessed this game
but the game ball goes to Ankur Tiku for his ferocious 52 off 30 against one of
the best bowling attacks in the league.
CCC started with a big bang getting our opener out first ball to reduce VT to
0/1. From then on it was early struggle against the disciplined CCC bowlers and
VT was in deep trouble early at 30/5 losing their entire top order. Some
spectacular catching and fielding aided CCC effort. Ankur Tiku and Aditya came
together at this point and built together an incredible partnership against a
fiery CCC at that point. The counter attack was tempered, sensible and
spectacular as Aditya herded Tiku's brilliance and a 65 run partnership later
CCVT was at the brink of the 100 run mark when Ankur fell for a stunning 52 off
30 balls. Effortlessly stupendous effort against one of the very best bowling
lineups in the league.
Another quick collapse ensued as aditya fell unluckily and VT was 9 down and not
yet past even 120. A sensible last wicket partnership by Ashwin and Srikanth
recovered CCVT to a reasonably strong 163 in less than 28 overs. In spite of the
constant loss of wickets at different phases VT scored at consistent rate to
help their cause quite a bit.
Post-lunch CCC started a sensible approach to a strong yet reachable target
against a young attack. However the tight approach and incredible maturity shown
by the young attack and tight fielding told early as Fabian ran himself out. A
see-saw game ensued as CCC waited for their bad balls which were here and there
but VT showed tremendous poise facing the never ending CCC lineup and bowled and
fielded with control. In spite of being behind the RR a bit CCC was composed and
in spite of not seeing more breaks VT was equally calm-the game was getting
pretty interesting when Ahmed fell finally trying to force pace at 52/2 after 12
the game was a bit neither here nor there.
As the break was getting close CCC was 59/2 in 14 overs. Almost needing 7 an
over for the next 16 it seemed the right time to gamble for VT but it turned out
to be a good over for CCC as they ended getting 12 runs and the break was taken
at 71/2 in 15. At just over 6 an over in the next 15 with an endless lineup in
hand the odds were 55-45 for CCC. But as always VT came back and plugged and
plugged and plugged away to build the pressure and Prabhu fell facing some tight
bowling and in the very next over Yogi fell brilliantly taken by Shammika off a
thoughtful Nikhil delivery. Some confusion ensued but when the dust settled CCC
was 84/4 in 18 overs. The see-saw was a bit seeing VT way. Bejoy came and the
return of Azhar spelled a lot of trouble for CCC as the brilliant offie trapped
Bejoy straight to Aditya at widish 3rd slip. An excellently planned and executed
dismissal.
And when Arun fell trying to force pace - it was 107/6 at the end of 22. Needing
57 in 8 it was getting more towards VT. However a big couple of overs later
Vijay and Shaihid had swung it towards CCC a bit more as 37 was needed in 36
balls. Kunal's return spell swung it for VT as he trapped shahid for a very well
made 44. Kunal with 4/20 in 6 overs stood out for an overall disciplined and
focused VT attack.
Vijay was still seeing the ball and boundaries in the most unorthodox yet
effective ways while Shankar was looking at giving able support. But an
absolutely unbelievable catch by Shammika flying past 3rd slip to grab a thick
slash from Shankar off kunal really brought it home for VT. At the end of 27
needing 22 with 2 wickets in hand it was getting nerve wracking.
The 28th over turned suddenly big for CCC as a mighty hoike by Vijay to a decent
ball sailed just past the midwicket fielder and at the end of it it was 70-30 in
CCC's favor. 11 off 12.
Kunal's penultimate over did it as Vijay got yorked to an absolute beauty and a
tight over later 8 was needed off the last.
Ashwin tightened himself to give pranav just a single and the very next ball
clipped Vishals off stump with a perfect delivery.
VT won by 6 runs.
As always, and excellent VT-CCC game. Excellent show by both teams and thanks to
ROCC for umpiring.
Go Hokies!!!
-VT