Gladiators won TCC Taped ball Winter 2022 tournament by clinically chasing the target of 102 set up by Runners up Tuskers. This was a Final between seasoned Gladiators (playing 9th Final) versus the youth of Tuskers (playing their first final) in which experience triumphed.
With rain threatening to arrive in the second half, Tuskers after winning the toss chose to bat first without any hesitation. The game started as anticipated, with Gladiator bowlers bowling to a plan and inviting Tuskers openers to play risky shots. Tuskers on the other hand did not hold back and started positively. However, Vishal bowled a beautiful inswinger to knock Shan’s stumps and then Mathew lured Sukitha into playing a lofted shot that culminated his innings with Sanman taking an outstanding catch on the boundary. At the end of power play Tuskers were 24 for 2 and looking to consolidate. That’s when Subodh, who loves to bowl to left handers delivered a perfect yorker that uprooted in form and key Tuskers batsman Gihan. Thereafter Sandeep (Best leg spinner in Houston), Ninad and Subodh applied the pressure and kept Tuskers batsman in check even though Sisindu and Geethike were stitching a nice partnership. After 8 overs the game was evenly poised with Tuskers score at 47 for 3. Sisindu then launched Ninad for a massive six and just when it appeared that floodgates may open, Ninad bowled a beauty to take the wicket of Geethike caught by Sandeep. Not a single Gladiators match goes without Sandeep pulling off a stupendous catch and this game was no different as he snatched another one inches from the ground on the boundary. Aradhya followed it with the key wicket of hard hitting Sisindu and Sandeep bowled Kumudu to pull back Tuskers to 68 for 7. It looked like Tuskers may finish their innings well below par, but some sensible batting and quick running between the wickets, between Thushara and Tharindu took them to a respectable score of 101.
For Gladiators, Vishal and Ninad took 2 wickets each and Subodh, Mathew, Khatwani and Aradhya chipped in with one wicket each. Calm and reliable wicket keeper Darshan took two catches giving away zero byes and athletic fielder sheetal assisted in one run out.
At the half time, it started to pour heavily, making conditions challenging to bat and Tuskers bowlers who did not allow more than 100 runs in any playoff games were smelling an upset. However, one of the biggest positives for Gladiators this season was that their top order was in scintillating form and the openers were not perturbed by rain. Infact they decided to take the challenge to the bowlers and with some crisp off side shots and rotating strike, Sanman and Amit patel quickly got off the blocks scoring 22 runs in the first 4 overs. Sisindu then got the prized scalp of Amit. However, Mathew who has been in good touch joined Sanman and both of them neutralized the bowling attack and the weather with high quality display of batting and running between the wickets. Sanman scored 32 runs and stitched match winning partnership of 46 runs with Mathew. Mathew (48) and Ninad (9) then finished off the game with relative ease as Gladiators rampaged towards the target in the 16th over. Gladiators captain and one of the best batsman, Emad, and Mr. Dependable Aradhya did not even have to bat much during the playoff games, which is a testament to how far Gladiators batting has come this season.
For Gladiators, this was a reward for the hard work the team had put behind the scenes and the celebrations after winning their 4th championship felt like it was their first. This team does not get OLD and loves to have fun!!
Even though 11 were on field, Gladiators team were supported on the sidelines by Dinesh (Daddy), fast bowler Pawan and Bhargav, batsman Neeraj and Amit Shah and Lucky Mascots Navendu and KP.
The game was followed by a well-managed presentation ceremony organized by Jagdish Biradar. Emad Babri, the captain of Gladiators was handed over the winner’s trophy and the runners up trophy was handed over to the captain of Tuskers Geethike. Mathew from Gladiators was the MVP of the final. Tournament awards were also handed over. Vishal from Gladiators was nominated as the MVP of the tournament. Kusal from SLCC was the best batsman with 275 runs. Kishore from Miura Bulls CC and Kushal from BHCC were the best bowlers with 14 wickets each. Arun from Masters was the best wicketkeeper with 29 Dismissals. Sadesh from HCF was the best Allrounder with 211 runs and 8 wickets. Special Awards for Century were given to Kusal from SLCC and Ashwin from Cougars. Special Awards for Hat Trick were given to Manish from Masters, Moiz from Deccan Royals, Sai Prasad from Woodland Hurricanes and Sampath from SLL.
Online scorecard is at: https://cricclubs.com/3T/viewScorecard.do?matchId=1508&clubId=8675 and YouTube video is at https://youtu.be/rijLN6zsAcY
Champions – Gladiators
