Points Table and Match Summary

Points table and Match Summary

Match 1:

The Blue Indians vs 13 Warriors

Winners: The blue Indians

Synopsis:

When everything goes as per plan, a win is sure..

The blue Indians perfected the plan and emerged as the winners in the much awaited 1st encounter of SPL 4. Opting to bowl first, the blue bowlers didn't let warriors to get on top of them by constantly taking wickets in almost every over. Bharat added some runs in the start but the following batsman didn't look like they wanted to stay in the sun kept returning back to shades. Tushar in the death overs added much needed push to take the score to 50 which kind of seemed defend able.

The 2nd innings: The Indians liked the sun as much as warriors hated it. The openers just didnt want to leave the crease and Warriors captain was clueless as none of his spearheads were able to make inroads. The dropped catches,miss- fields  extras everything was in the indians favor as the warriors captain remained clueless as to who he can turn to to make the break through. Finally, Tushar managed to take 2 wickets in the 8th over when blue people were just 14 runs short, 7 wickets in hand and  with 24 balls to be bowled, which was a little late for warriors. The Blue's achieved the target in just 11 overs. 

The blue's did everything right from the start by taking regular wickets, good fielding conceding just 6 extras as compared to 12 from warriors and chasing a reasonable target with the plan of preserving wickets. 

The only positive Warriors can take out of the game is in form Tushar who not only scored runs but also bowled really well to take 3 wickets. Also a player to watch out for rest of the teams.

 Match 2:

Chhatrapati vs Rajni's 11

Winners: Chhatrapati

Synopsis:

Har Har mahadev!!
The chant the Chhatrapati's started with and made sure the Blessings stay with them till the end.. Put in to Bat first by the Rajni's the opener's priced their wickets and made the most of the chance given to them. The stability at the start made it easier for the batsman following much easier to score. Captain's smiling face was the highlight when his wild card hit 2 balls, one for four runs and other over the rope.. Now that was something. In the end, Chhatrapati's were sitting pretty on 75. The Rajni's on the other hand, couldn't produce the magic usually the superstar does with his fans.. Opting to bowl first with one of the best bowling ups among all the teams, could not live up to their own expectations. Constant shuffling of the bowlers, 13 extras was certainly not what was expected from them. the bowling was in tatters. 
The second Innings: With a target of 76 on the board, only thing the rajni's thought was..lets hit ball out of the park. Doing so, they made sure they gave away wickets to chhatrapati's in every over. Apart from 1 six from kalpesh (9), there was nothing to talk about Rajni's batting as none of them reached double digit score and rounding up at 46.
Chhatrapati's did almost everything right making them sit on the top of the chart with a hefty net run rate.
Rajni's for the next game, need to come up with a good plan to use their bowlers efficiently and take a good look at their batting strength. Positive's for them: Key bowlers taking wickets, however little late in this particular game.

 Match 3:

Spartan's vs 13 warriors

Winners: 13 Warriors

Synopsis:

OK.. what happened here???

Spartans messed it up..Yes

Going in to the Sunday morning's match, Spartans were already short of their two main players, left with limited bowling and batting options.

13 Warriors winning the toss and elected to bat. They were cruising from the start as their captain dominated the Spartans bowling. Despite loosing an early wicket, the captain along with Yash built a nice aggressive partnership of 25+ runs and ensuring a solid base for the batsman following. Once again, Tushar showed why he is the feared man when it comes to hitting the ball out of the park. With 15 extras, dropped catches, missed half chances and just three overs costing over 35 runs, the Spartans did everything wrong of what possibly could go wrong. They had almost lost confidence and it was just matter of some one going out there and playing a magical Innings.

The second Innings: Spartans started pretty well by scoring 32 off first six overs. The innings break didn't help them, as batsman started returning back after touching the crease. Once the run rate was sky high, all they had to do was get close to the score but ended up at 62. Even though warriors conceded 15 extras, rest of the bowling was precise by not allowing the batsman to score much. Overall a good all-around performance by Warriors after loosing their first game.

Spartans captain needs to learn the lessons from their first game and hope when their top players return, they give their best and win rest of the matches to stay alive in the tournament.

Match 4:

The blue Indians vs Chhatrapati's

Winners: The blue Indians

Synopsis:

Nice Work!! Well planned and well executed by the Blue Indians.

Special Mention: Akhil for his spirit, for getting badly injured and still going back to finish the game for the Blue's.

The Chhatrapati's were put in to bat by the blue's. Atul gave a solid start to the chhatrapati's by continuously rotating the strike, whereas other batsman just didnt look like they understood the bowlers at all. The blue's kept getting wickets at regular interwals by not allowing any batsman to settle down. Some rash and irresponsible strokes from the middle order batsman stooped the scoring rate. This was combined with some fine fielding by the blues who did not Jalapendra down the order added much needed impetus by scoring very quickly and ensuring that they reach a respectable total and something that they can defend. 

The second Innings: Here comes the slim, mute but strong wall out of nowhere. I am talking about the Blue opener Mr. Pradip, who stood at one end, kept scoring and didn't let the opposition break through and made their life difficult. There was a tragic moment when the captain while completing the run slipped and injured his back, had to go off the ground for a little while. The game was still not over when 11 were needed of last 2 overs. With a over from strike bowler and a fifth bowler left, the captain had to take a calculated risk. Unfortunately the risk didn't pay off, as the fifth bowler got hit for a six at long on by Sid. Only 1 run was needed off the last over and blue Indians got that pretty easily thereby registering remaining un-beatable in the tournament.

Though it was a close contest, all the credit goes to the Blue Indians for a sincere performance. Chhatrapti's though were exposed in some areas that the other teams will definitely notice. With 2 games to go for both the teams, the blue indians for now atleast seem to be knocking at the semis doors and Chhatrapati's who have the best net run rate yet, cant just bank on it, but need to win from here-on.

Thats all for the first week of SPL4.. do join us for fridays match..