Bajrangi XI 189/7 in 20 overs (Nisarg 106, Jaydeep 23, Hemant 3/24) defeated Turf Cricket Academy 157/10 in 18.2 overs (Taral 47, Hemant 35, Jainam 3/18) by 32 runs
Sunrise Cricket ground was host a rematch of Bajrangi XI and Turf Cricket Academy. The previous battle between these two teams resulted in a disaster for TCA as they were walloped by the Bajrangi XI by 9 wickets. Just 18 odd days ago, the TCA were blown away by Hemil Modi and his gang.
Fast forward, it is 11th June 2019. The TCA left behind the disappointment and came back strongly. Both the teams entered the finals on a high after nearly destroying the opposition in the semi finals. Boasting of all top five Batsmen of the tournament statically, both the teams were full of confidence and a breathtaking encounter was expected in the finals.
Although the number of games won while chasing were more in number in the tournament, Bajrangi XI who blasted record 276 in the league phase had no hesitation in electing to bat first after winning the toss. Hemil Modi who slaughtered the TCA bowling in the league stage got out early after a quickfire start when he edged one to the keeper of Harshad. While Nisarg kept pummeling the bowlers, Bajrangi XI lost wickets at regular intervals. With the scorecard showing 52 runs in the 8th over for four wicket, It looked like that the pressure of final got to Bajrangi XI and they were about to choke. But the savior was on the other end, looking for a partner to tick along with him. Jayedeep Kapadia joined him in the middle and played some glorious drives but just when the couple looked like moving towards a big partnership, Amit Patel removed Kapadia. With 8 overs still in the bag, Nisarg took the charge and ensured that he keeps the strike for most of those 8 overs. His plan was successful. Without much contribution from the lower order, Bajrangi XI racked up 189 runs at the end of their 20 overs. Nisarg , with the help of ten massive sixes and three fours, scored 106 runs without being dismissed.
To chase a target of as massive as 189, TCA needed quick start but Bajrangi XI bowlers worked out their plans pretty well. They carried forward their habit of crushing the opposition since beginning into the finlas. The openers were back in the hut by the third over with almost nothing on the scoreboard. TCA could manage only 29 runs from the powerplays and lost three top order wickets. Jainam removed Jay just after the powerplays and TCA were four down with 29 on the board.
The game was moving forward quickly and the feelings of an early closure to TCA inning started floating. The captain Amit Desai along with Taral desai tried to resurrect the inning with a 59 run partnership but both were removed by Aniruddh Gohil in the 12th over. With 98 required of 48 balls, Hemant Jalal and Rushi Desai kept the faith despite being 6 wickets down. Another 58 run partnership kept them in the game , at least mathematically but once Hemant departed with 41 still to get of 21 balls, the game was almost over for TCA. The tail enders could hardly resist the firepower of Bajrangi XI bowling lineup and they were bowled out for 157 with 10 balls left in their inning.
