CSS had to play CTS - Project A-Z in the second match.
CSS Won the toss and decided to field first. This was a gamble I took especially after the batting failure in the first match this was a big decision.
The Final XI: Arvind, Gunjan, JP, Paul, Prabhu, Ramesh, Shyam, Vishnu, Veera, Vicky, Vishy.
Supported by: Kiran, Seshan, Dinesh, Hari, Naveen (the long haired guy) & Satish.
To cut the long story short, we didnt support the bowlers. There were 3 catches dropped, all of them almost identical for the same batsman at the same location by the same fielder. Not just that, with the ground being a little bigger than the one we played in the morning, and with a left and right hand batsman the team took a while to get to terms with.
CTS scored 176 in their 20 overs.
Ashwin - 65(58), Murali 33(14), Arun 48(42)
Vishy - 0/23 in 4 with 1 wide
Vicky - 2/38 in 4 with 6 wides
Gunjan - 0/16 in 2 with 2 wides
Vishnu - 1/44 in 4 with 0 wides
Prabhu - 0/31 in 4 with 1 wide
Paul - 1/24 in 2 with 3 wides
The team was upbeat about chasing and everyone realised what had happened in the field was not the best effort and wanted to get the match in.
With so much to chase I had just one option go for it from the first ball. Had asked Vicky to open the innings with Gunjan. Vicky couldnt have responded any better. He was hitting the ball with such ease fours and sixes were the only scores and so much was his confidence he denied singles to the other "opening batsman" for him to keep strike.
It was brilliant to wach him play. He scored 66 of just 37 balls. With this I walked in hoping to stay there and keep the score ticking. But could only manage that for 12 balls. While I was there Gunjan carried along what he started with Vicky and retired at 25 (32). This brought in the inform "Yuvraj" Arvind "Singh". It was his day, he was at ease and the "Angry Beast" was on song.
With the fall of my wicket I had asked Prabhu to join Mr. YA Singh. He and Arvind were running hard and hitting harder to get the scores. Mr. Singh was totally exhausted and wanted a runner (he didnt field the last 2 overs of our bowling as well). When JP was all set to do the running for Mr. Singh, Prabhu took a blow on his face and had to use JP's services for running and Arvind had to live with his own legs.
The last 2 overs were the best of the match, with 29 runs to win. Murali the strike bowler bowled the 19th over and Arvind & JP ran and took 10 runs. The running was the best and thanks JP your stay there as the legs for Prabhu was a significant contribution. With 19 to score in the last over Arvind started off with a 6 off the first ball and a single. Prabhu smashed 3 fours it came down to 1 run off the last ball. The dugout was already excited as a tie would have taken us to the semis.
With all the fielders in close to cut the single, prabhu smashed one through mid-off for a four ensuring CSS's place in Semis straight in.
It was a very close match and an exciting victory for CSS. The match was so good that the organisers and players from the adjeacent ground was watching this match. One of the organiser mentioned that this was the best match they had seen in the to
urney so far. It indeed was.
Personally for me it was great to watch one of the best chases I have seen. 176 was a good score in 20-20 and Arvind and Prabhu made us look proud and saved one of the best innings of Vicky in the start. Vicky earned a very well deserved "Man of the Match".
Congratulations CSS.
The Semis will be on 14th Sept.
Scores :
Vicky - 66(37), Gunjan 25 (32) retd., Arvind 35*(21), Prabhu 32*(17)
Extras - 11.
Here is the paper cutting of the
scores published on Deccan Chronicle - Dated 9th Sept, Page 39.
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