6th September, 2020, Morgan Hill.
Strikers 254/6 in 40 overs (Shivakumar 105, Rajat Sood 80, Bibek Das 4/35) beat Blazers 193/4 in 40 overs (Manav Nayak 68, Arepally 42*, Kallepalli 1/13) by 52 runs.
After posting the target of 246 runs, Strikers had to make sure they display some disciplined bowling to win the game. On the other hand, it was never going to be easy for Blazers to maintain the run-rate of 6 rpo right from the beginning. As the chase started, Blazers lost their first wicket in Vaidya with just 4 runs on the board. Now it came down to the skipper Ruhan Swar and Manav Nayak to take their side to the far end. Nayak didn't disappointed at all and delivered a fine knock of 68 runs for his team. Swar did score 39 runs but as soon as he was to take-off, he got dismissed by Hardikar. Then, Arepally tried his best to take his team to victory but eventually couldn't do so, he remained unbeaten on 42. Kallepalli, though, got only a single wicket, but he bowled superbly well and gave away just a 13 runs in his 7-over spell. Adil Shivakumar, Hardikar and Rajat Sood were also among wickets.
Earlier, Strikers won the toss and had no hesitation in batting first. Though, they lost Sonawala in second over, but Shivakumar and Rajat Sood had a towering partnership of 165 runs for the second wicket and Blazers had no answer to the in-form duo. Shivakumar was in sensational touch as he smacked 12 fours and 3 sixes in his blastering 72-ball innings of 105 runs. Yes, Strikers lost some wickets towards the end, but they managed a par score of 245 runs in their 40 overs. From the Blazers' side, Bibek Das bowled exceptionally well for his 4/35 in five overs.
It has been a good series so far and we are all set to witness the virtual final. Both the teams have shown what they are capable of and it will be delight to see these two sides competing to make it 2-1 in their respective favour. So, let's see what happens in the third and final game of Willow Cricket Academy League, till then, goodbye!