Dinesh and Phani opened the innings, immediately ISU-Gold caught Dinesh in slip. Then, Prakash stepped in @ one down and started his innings with a massive six over mid-wicket and Phani hit another four over long-off in the same over. Phani and Prakash started playing aggressively at an average of 6 runs per over. When things were going well for Elites, Prakash got out bowled to a beautiful incutter while trying to go for a big one, the score was 28 in 3 rd over. Next man, Ganesh walked in with lots of confidence, to steady the Elites ship. Meanwhile, Phani was caught beautifully by diving Sourabh at covers. ISU showed some spectacular fielding. The score was 36 for 3 in 7 overs. At this juncture, ISU-Gold was so happy with their bowling and fielding. They did not realize the power of the big man GUNesh. Initially, Ganesh played patient innings with new batsman Jawahar, scoring runs with singles and two’s. Both played sensible cricket and steadied Elites batting. The big show started, when GUN’esh hit 4 fours in one over.

At this time, Ganesh started playing like Dhoni, every over there were 2 fours. He played fabulous cover drive, it was a treat to watch. From the other end, Jawahar played a smooth and flawless innings along with big Gun’esh. Elites were 101 for 3 wickets after 15 overs. Immediately after drinks, Jawahar lost his wicket to straighter one, when he was on 21. The next in-form batsman Saravie walked in, he played nicely with Ganesh to improve Elites run-rate. Jawahar’s loss did not stop Ganesh’s shots. Suddenly, it started raining in Ames. On a funny note, only ISU-Gold was unhappy about raining. Elites were so happy to watch rain of fours from Ganesh all over the park. After drinks, Ganesh opened gun and started shooting the ball all over the park. ISU-Gold fielders were clueless; they watched the ball like spectators during Ganesh’s batting. Then, Saravie took the charge and he hit a huge six as it sailed over mid-wicket area off a good length delivery. Saravie was out with attacking 21 runs. Elites were into their final overs. Then Elites started loosing wickets at regular interval. Saravie, Srikanth & Ramesh were back to Elite’s hut after they tried to accelerate the scoring rate.

Elites crossed 200 mark losing 8 wickets. Ganesh preserved all his energy for his first hundred. Next batsman Saravanan gave ample support to ganesh from the other end. When Ganesh was close to 80 runs, he scored another line of 4 fours[another bunch of donuts to Elite’s from Ganesh] in one over, he comfortably moved into 90’s. Elites were getting excited and were ready to celebrate his first hundred. In the next over, Ganesh scored his well deserved hundred with a four and a single. He received a rousing and rapturous applause from both the teams. It was well supported by other Elites batsmen. Finally, Elites finished their first innings with 223 runs in 30 overs. ISU-Gold was happy to come back to pavilion after massive attack by Ganesh.

Lunch Break: As usual, team had a light and healthy vegetarian meal from subway.

It was hot and humid when the second inning started, temp was over 100F, Elites went into the field without front-line bowler Krishna. Prakash gave the new ball to Elites swing bowlers Dinesh and Saravanan and they responded well with good line and length bowling from both ends. Immediately, twister bowler Saravanan bowled his magic one to Gold opening batsman John, as he missed the incoming twister ball completely, and the ball hugged the stumps. The other attacking opening batsman Javeed, scored a huge six and a four over square leg. He started attacking Elites bowlers with his audacious shots over on-side. Then Prakash took charge from Dinesh. Javeed sent his first delivery to a towering six over square leg again. Then for the next ball, he tried to repeat the same shot to an out swinger from Prakash, the ball kissed the bat and Phani did the rest sending Javeed back to pavilion with attacking 28 runs. Some gritty bowling from both ends kept ISU-Gold batsmen in check and scoring rate started going down with the asking rate going up.

Elites were in driver seat during drinks break. After drinks, Prakash introduced leg spinner Harsha from the other end. He started bowling some disciplined line. Meanwhile, ISU-Gold captain Saurabh was playing sensible game and had started scoring runs freely with couple of sixes. Elites fielders were too tired under the hot and humid weather. Then Harsha got his first wicket of the league, when Ganesh picked a nicely judged running catch in the mid-wicket of his bowling. Immediately, double bowling change gave a break for Elites. Looks like, Ganesh had a great time in the field too. His success with the bat during first inning was complimented by good fielding when he took a fast catch in covers off Dinesh’s out-swing delivery. Saravanan got another wicket by his famous in-swing bowling, as the batsman tried to clear covers, but was caught nicely by big jumping Ganesh.

Ganesh’s excellent fielding/catching was unstoppable, when he took another splendid catch at covers of Shrikanth bowling. As the new batsman walked in, the score was 97 for 6 wickets, at a required run-rate of more than 10 per over. Elites were happy and tired under very hot condition. Suddenly, things started going well for ISU-Gold. The new batsman Utkarsh Singh, stared scoring 10 runs per over. Elites bowlers were too tired due to the hot weather and could not bowl proper line/length. Utkarsh made use of some sloppy bowling and started scoring some important runs. ISU-Gold had scored 156 runs for loss of 6 wickets in 24 overs. Due to lack of time to finish the innings, based on current run rate, ISU Gold target was revised to 24 runs in one over. This target seemed to be not easy in one over. After all, this is a game of cricket anything can happen. Prakash decided to bowl the important last over. Utkarsh scored massive six over mid-wicket off his first ball. Prakash kept his head cool bowled slower ball to Utkarsh. He tried to clear the fence again, but the ball looped in the air towards short mid-wicket. This high catch was caught by Prakash. After the fall of this important wicket, it was all over for ISU-Gold. It was celebration time for Elites. Utkarsh’s late assault with 40 runs brought some lights to ISU-Gold team. Finally, one more win to Elites with classy batting, bowling and catching.
>

Man of the match award goes to Ganesh for superb hundred and 4 splendid catch. Ganesh’s 50 came in 24th over, 100 came in 29th over a splendid knock by him.

View Scorecard