Sunrisers punish Punjab to bag first win

Published

4 years ago

April 21, 2021

admin

Sunrisers Hyderabad opened their account in the Indian Premier League 2021 with a massive nine-wicket win over Punjab Kings at M. A. Chidambaram Stadium on Wednesday.

The meagre 121-run target with poor bowling would have never saved KL Rahul-led Punjab.

The Kings got dominated in a one-sided contest to let Warner draw first blood in this year’s campaign.

The key to Punjab’s success has been their top order on most occasions.

But a shaky start that saw both Rahul and Mayank Agarwal returning to the dressing room in a trice, faltered their hopes of getting a fighting total.

They might not have crossed even the 100-run mark had Shahrukh Khan not slogged in the final overs.

One after another, all Punjab batters returned to the hut, saving the Hyderabad bowlers the last two deliveries of the final over.

While Hyderabad have lost two of three games from a comfortable position, the opening duo did not replicate the mistakes of their last outings.

The Warner-Bairstow duo kept the scoreboard ticking with easy singles and doubles to ensure that their middle-order doesn’t have much to do.

While Warner fell cheaply at 37, the Englishman remained unbeaten on 67 to claim the Player Of The Match award for his gritty knock.

Bairstow has now become the third-highest scorer in this season with 173 runs in four innings.

When will we see the Gayle Storm?

For a player of Chris Gayle’s caliber, it is odd to see him struggle in the recent seasons.

He has failed to strike big as he used to in the past and that has been hurting the Kings at the top-order.

Rahul and Agarwal are not the most ferocious strikers of the ball. Hence, Gayle’s job is to accelerate the innings at number 3.

However, the Caribbean star failed to deliver the goods.

His 17-ball 15 spoke volumes of his form slump.

Rashid Khan continues to rule

In all games Rashid Khan has played this year, a common pattern has emerged.

He might not grab the most scalps in every game, but the pressure he generates helps other Hyderabad bowlers get wickets.

Yet again, Rashid kept the Punjab batsmen on the backfoot with a superb spin bowling display.

While he completed his quota for 1/17, Khaleel Ahmed (3/21) and Abhishek Sharma (2/24) picked up the wickets.

The leggie conceded only a single four, which explains why he is the most economical bowler (5.06) so far with five wickets in his pocket already.

Disciplined Sharma pulls out his tricks

Abhishek Sharma seemed very mature for his age.

The 20-year-old bowled with discipline and almost had Agarwal on a duck.

Conceding only three runs in his first over, Sharma kept the line and length as tight as he could.

He earned his first scalp with a backspin that dismissed Deepak Hooda. The Punjab batsman misjudged the ball while trying to flick it away and it got onto his pads.

Sharma’s second wicket was of Moises Henriques who got stumped after beating him with extra flight.

Sunrisers Hyderabad 121 for 1 (Bairstow 63*, Warner 37, Allen 1-22) beat Punjab Kings 120 (Shahrukh 22, Agarwal 22, Ahmed 3-21, Sharma 2-24) by nine wickets.

Janakpur Bolts Clinch Victory in Inaugural Nepal Premier League Final

Published

14 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Maadhav

Nepal Premier League Final! Janakpur Bolts clinched the inaugural Nepal Premier League title by defeating Sudurpaschim Royals in a thrilling final. The Bolts showcased remarkable resilience, chasing down a target of 187 runs with five wickets in hand at the TU International Cricket Ground.

Sudurpaschim Royals, batting first, set a competitive total of 184 for nine wickets, led by Saif Zaib and Binod Bhandari. Zaib scored a solid 69 runs, while Bhandari added a crucial 41. However, their middle order failed to capitalize on a strong start, succumbing to disciplined bowling from Janakpur’s attack.

Kishor Mahato and Mohammad Mohisin starred with the ball for Janakpur, each claiming three wickets. Lalit Rajbanshi bowled an exceptional spell, conceding just 15 runs, including a maiden over. Their efforts restricted Sudurpaschim from posting a more imposing total.

In response, Janakpur’s Lahiru Milantha led the charge with a stunning 87 runs off 49 balls, including six fours and as many sixes. His innings anchored the chase, despite early pressure from Sudurpaschim’s bowlers. Aasif Sheikh, the Janakpur captain, played a vital supporting role, ensuring a composed finish.

This victory is a milestone for Nepali cricket, highlighting the league’s competitiveness and its potential to elevate local talent. Fans celebrated the intense final, hopeful for the league’s promising future.

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Captains Gear Up for NPL Final Showdown

Published

24 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Maadhav

Captains Share Strategies Ahead of NPL Final

The stage is set for the highly anticipated NPL final between Sudurpaschim Royals and Janakpur Bolts at TU International Cricket Ground. Both captains expressed their excitement and shared their strategies during a pre-match press conference, building anticipation for the thrilling clash in the NPL Final.

Sudurpaschim Royals captain Dipendra Singh Airee stressed the importance of maintaining consistency and playing with determination. He assured fans the team was fully prepared to deliver their best performance. Airee highlighted teamwork as the key to their successful journey to the final.

Janakpur Bolts captain Aasif Sheikh reflected on their previous losses to Sudurpaschim but emphasized a strong mental approach for the final. Sheikh urged his players to focus on executing their skills under pressure and remain confident despite the challenges. He also acknowledged the significance of fan support, calling on supporters to cheer positively for both teams.

Both captains praised the contributions of Nepali players in their squads, emphasizing their pivotal role in the tournament’s success. They also encouraged a spirit of sportsmanship and appreciation for the growing standards of Nepali cricket.

The final promises an exhilarating contest as two formidable teams compete for the championship title. Fans can expect a captivating battle between Sudurpaschim’s consistency and Janakpur’s determination. The match is scheduled to start at 12:15 PM, with cricket enthusiasts eagerly awaiting the outcome.

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Janakpur Bolts Secure Spot in NPL Final to Face Sudurpaschim Royals

Published

2 days ago

December 20, 2024

Maadhav

Janakpur Bolts in the NPL final! Janakpur Bolts defeated Karnali Yaks by two wickets in the Nepal Premier League (NPL) Qualifier 2 to secure their spot in the final. Chasing a modest target of 119 runs, Janakpur overcame early setbacks and achieved victory in 19 overs, finishing with eight wickets down.

New Zealand batter Jimmy Neesham played a pivotal role, scoring a rapid 45 runs off just 17 balls. His innings included two fours and five sixes before being dismissed by Bipin Sharma. Contributions from Mayan Yadav (14 runs) and Sher Malla (16 runs not out) also proved crucial in the lower order.

Earlier, Karnali Yaks struggled to post a competitive total, managing only 118 runs for the loss of nine wickets in 20 overs. Gulshan Jha top-scored for Karnali with 25 runs off 20 balls, while Dev Khanal added 24. Janakpur’s bowlers, including Lalit Rajbanshi, Jimmy Neesham, and Muhammad Mohsin, each picked up two wickets to restrict the opposition.

Janakpur’s journey to the final wasn’t without challenges. They suffered a defeat against Sudurpaschim Royals in Qualifier 1, forcing them into this must-win game. Despite an unsteady start, with key players like Aasif Sheikh and Lahiru Milantha departing early, the team showed resilience under pressure.

The final, set for Saturday, will feature Janakpur Bolts facing Sudurpaschim Royals in what promises to be an intense battle. Both teams, having proven their mettle throughout the season, are eager to clinch the prestigious NPL title.