Mr. Captain playing his last match befor he takes off for a few months (travelling on business abroad) had a quick meeting and announced this and wanted to get this match finished quickly with a win. He sent his lucky charm Mr. Yuvraj "Arvind" Singh for the toss. As usual he had the toss and decided to put Axis bank to bat first.
The Final XI: Arvind, Gunjan, Karthik, Kiran, Natz, Prabhu, Ramesh (wk), Seshan, Veera, Vicky, Vishy
Supported by: Satish, Naveen, Hari, Dinesh, Satish, Balaji
I was asked to chose the end from which I can start, I took the same I bowled from in the last match we played here. Mr. Captain while doing so said lets share the new ball, then I guess changed his mind and had Gunjan bowl from the other end. Good call, I would have done the same.
For me, it was one of those days when you have the ball pretty much doing what you want it do. I enjoyed bowling and have started getting some numbers under the wickets column. Been fairly economical all through the year (2008) but not many wickets.
Gunjan bowled a great first over and got a wicket. One of those dream starts you would want in a semi-finals of a tourney. My second over was interesting, a caught behind was turned down and fortunately I had the same batsman bowled a couple of balls later.
First change was Vicky and he continued his good bowling form and very miser this time. Mr. Captain brought in Seshan and he bowled a brilliant 2 over spell. The best I have seen him bowl so far.
It was nice to see CSS bowlers keeping the check and taking wickets at regular intervals. More importantly there was no mis fielding except for one which Kiran let the ball turn and run to the fence. I felt between 15th and 20th overs CSS was relaxed a bit which helped Axis to take the score beyond 100 and set a target of 109 for CSS.
Ramesh (wk) has brought a long missing good keeping skills for the team. He was brilliant behind the wickets and more importantly was cheering all through the 20 overs which is new to CSS. Keep it up Ramesh, except for the one drop catch (for me ;)) you were spot on.
Bowling Figures:
Vishy - 1/12 in 4 overs (1 wide)
Gunjan - 2/29 in 4 overs (4 wides)
Vicky - 2/12 in 4 overs (2 wides)
Prabhu - 2/25 in 4 overs (2 wides)
Seshan - 0/7 in 2 overs (2 wides)
Natz - 1/19 in 2 overs (1 wide)
With the asking rate being low, Natz decided to have him and Kiran open with me at No. 3 and Arvind at 4 and Karthik at 5.
Kiran lasted for a little over an over and was out caught behind with a faint nick while chasing a wide ball outside the off. This brought me in and joined Mr. Captain. The plan was simple, just stay there and see through the match. Natz and I saw a couple of over go by with some singles. Then Natz started playing his trade mark shots, pulled a couple to the fence. He also got out for the same shot, mis-cued and got caught at mid-wicket. This brought in the in form Mr. Yuvray "Arvind" Singh. He didnt stay too long, was unlucky to get a leading edge and lobbing the ball back to the bowler. I felt very bad, as the previous ball I denied him of a very easy single.
This brought Mr. Best-ever-batsman-slash-has-ever-produced on to the pitch. He was his usual self and started playing as if he is continuing from his innings a couple of months back at St. Bedes. It was great to watch him do the short-arm jab and hit for six at ease.
I got out, playing across for no reason. This brought in Prabhu to join Karthik. Who both finished the match with about 2 and a half overs to spare.
Batting Figures
Natz - 22(24)
Kiran - 6(7)
Vishy - 18(27)
Arvind - 1 (5)
Karthik - 36(25) Not out
Prabhu - 15 (17) Not out
Karthik was declared "Man of the Match" for his brilliant 37 of just 25 balls.
CSS with this victory are through the finals which will be played on 20th Sept.
Natz we will certainly miss you for that match.
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