Saturday, May 11, 2013

Miller and Mitchell make magic

We bring you highlights from another exciting week in the T20 Festival, from 3rd May to 10th May.

Match of the week

Punjab vs Bangalore at Mohali

A contender for the match of the tournament, it saw David Miller finally take his team over the line in spectacular fashion. Punjab were stuttering at 64/4 in the 10th over in a steep chase when Miller began to hit out. With 96 needed from 42 balls he moved from 27 to 41 in the space of three balls when Virat Kohli dropped a skier he hit off Vinay.

He went on to make 101 off 38b, the third fastest hundred in the history of the tournament as Punjab wrapped up an amazing 6 wicket win with 12 balls to spare.

Start of the week

Mitchell Johnson vs Chennai at Mumbai

Mumbai had no problem going through Chennai’s deep batting line up and bowling them out for 79 once Mitchell Johnson had done the damage at the top. He saw three catches go down off his first over but returned to take three wickets in the next over, reducing Chennai to 9/3, giving Mumbai an excellent start in the defense of a modest 139/5.

Cling On catch of the week

Eoin Morgan vs Mumbai at Mumbai

Morgan catch off a pull from Rohit Sharma at deep square leg to send him back seems impossible. He caught right at the edge of the ropes but with his momentum, he was about to cross them and so threw the ball into the air. He crossed the ropes, came back in, regained his balance and calmly completed the catch!

Batting performance of the week

Suresh Raina (99* 52b) vs Hyderabad, Virat Kohli (99, 58b)

David Miller wins it hands down but special mention goes to Suresh Raina who almost slammed his 2nd T20 hundred in a week, hitting 99* against Hyderabad in Hyderabad. An under-fire Virat Kohli too led his team to a much needed victory in his hometown and his knock was stellar. Kohli and AB de Villiers smashed 77 off the last four overs but sadly, Kohli was run out on 99.

Bowling performance of the week

Jaydev Unadkat 5/25 vs Delhi at Delhi

Jaydev Unadkat began the season strongly yet saw the erratic RP Singh play ahead of him. On his return to the side and with Delhi threatening to chase down a huge total, Unadkat took 5/25 to grasp a close win for his team.

Friday, May 03, 2013

Samson shines bright with calm batting

Highlights from the fourth week of the T20 Fest, from April 26th-2nd May 2013.

Match of the week

Mumbai vs Punjab at Mumbai

David Miller had mighty Mumbai in deep trouble while he was at the crease chasing their 174/3, hitting 56 (34b 1x4 5x6) with clean sixes off the best bowling Mumbai could throw at him.

Start of the week

James Faulkner 5/20 vs Hyderabad at Jaipur

Ajit Chandila removed Akshath Reddy in the first over but James Faulkner did the real damage in his first two overs, removing the dangerous Kumar Sangakkara, Shikhar Dhawan and Karan Sharma. Hyderabad recovered to 144/9 from a shocking 6/19 but not before Faulkner returned to dismiss Amit Mishra and with the last ball of the match, Darren Sammy to finish with 5/20.

Cling On catch of the week

Ambati Rayudu vs Bangalore, Mumbai

You don’t miss a catch, especially when the batsman is Chris Gayle. His mishit off Harbhajan went miles in the Mumbai air before being caught at wide long on by Rayudu who was running dangerously close to the ropes. With Gayle gone cheaply in a modest chase, Rayudu turned it into a celebratory run while Harbhajan brought out a hybrid Bhangra-Gangnam dance.

Batting performance of the week

Sanju Samson 63 (41b) vs Bangalore, Jaipur

Suresh Raina’s long overdue hundred (Suresh Raina 100* 53b) in this tournament was wonderful but Sanju Samson was the show stealer of the week with his composed knock in Rajasthan’s successful chase against Bangalore.

Promoted to no. 3 against a quality attack early in a sizable chase, 18 year old Sanju responded with an assured innings to set up his team’s win, becoming the youngest Indian half centurion in the history of the tournament.