Match Report:
As planned previous night, everyone came to KOP Park & Ride and from there we have started together, best thing was everybody was on time, with positive vibes. On the way to Plannet CC ground, we had a very good discussion both personally & professionally, it was really good way to mingle with new/old players and get to know them. After reaching to the ground, few of our team mates were shocked to see Plannet CC ground, the way it looks. We were pretty early to the ground and had a good time acclimatizing to the ground conditions, lets practice this habit :).
After winning the toss, we decided to field first. Bowlers did totally an outstanding job, probably this could be a game where fielders were so relaxed. One end Kishore started bowling with very good line and length with his beautiful pace and other end Ashok started bowling with his magic in-swings that’s literally confusing the batsman to play.
Ashok took the wicket in his first over, batsman was caught in front of the wicket by LBW, it was a early break, we did another bowling change bringing our energetic Siva, first ball pitched somewhere on the turf and it started climbing up, it just wasn't coming down, batsmen has no clue and Wicket keeper Madhu also shocked seeing the first ball how it was LAUNCHED, he has to do a full stretch jump to catch the ball.
There was some fierce bowling next few overs, however Planet CC players played very sensibly leaving the ball out, hitting the easy one's and did not fiddle with it good balls, both the batsmen were trying to settle down, they had a good partnership of almost 45 runs and for us it’s time to get a wicket, we had another bowling change replacing Siva with our newbie out-swinger Dharani, From 1st ball itself he started bowling wonderful lengths with swing, testing the batsman, bowling close to the body, a very good first over tied up batsman so beautifully that one of their batsman(who had scored century last game) tried to dominate and hit next over of Ashok, it went into hands of Dharani easily (48/2).
Next over Dharni got another important wicket, their opener who was batting beautifully and holding up one end, there was a faint edge to the keeper (61/3), and we should praise the batsman to show the spirit to walkout, umprie also did not had any clue. Back to back good overs put Planet under pressure, they went for a big shot one of Dharni's ball, but eventually skied a ball in air towards cover, this ball travelled too high but ended up in the safe hands of Kishore who took this amazing catch almost facing the sun, he was very well composed and did not panic a bit, key to take these type of catches (Score 68/4).
With new pairs on the crease, Planet had hard time, Ashok took another wicket tempting batsman to play across with his inswingers and getting him caught LBW. Another end Suresh replace Dharani and took another wicket of a batsman who tried to sweep a full length delivery was also caught infront LBW, score 78/6. At this time planet's next experienced batsman Akul came to play, as we know he was attacking type batsman, one end Suresh was bowling another end we tried Siva and Kishore but it was really difficult to contain Akul who was playing good balls sensibly and attacking bad one's. After the 2nd water break, we had a small discussion and got in Chandu, with a good plan of keeping good fielders and targeting where to bowl to Akul, next 4 balls to Akul was beautifully bowled by Chandu, the last one landed safely in hands of Anna who really did not have to much an inch to catch, perfectly planned,bowled and caught, score 108/7.
Next batsmen from planet played trying to hold their wickets, and attack bad balls, one such well timed hit went to longoff boundary, a very good running catch was taken by none other than Siva, who is always too athletic in the field. Last 2 wickets of Planet were clean bowled by Siva and Kishore. Last wicket was a class, ball hit the top of the stumps and bails flew almost over the wicket keeper and we literally had to search for it next 5-10 mins. Planet ended up with 141/10
Ashok ended up with 36/3, Dharani and Suresh took 2 wickets & Siva,Kishore,Chandu got 1 wicket.
Target 142!
Break: It’s time for biryani and curd rice. Biryani by our junior master chef Vaibhav, it tasted amazing, just wished nobody takes it too much and relax before the game... and as always the best curd rice Kishore. Thanks both for the food.
Batting time: Titans batting started with our classy hitter Shan Anna and with titan’s wall (Dravid) chandu. Both are started playing good singles and doubles. Shan got out in 4th over deceived by a slow ball and the score was 10/1. The next batsman #TitansLA Akshay came and started taking singles & doubles, it was really surprising the way he was able to adapt in his first match for Titans, and he played so beautifully with his technique, he was making it look like bowling was easy, however he got out trying a pull shot in 7th over. Next batsman Hithardha who was also playing first time for us, he started good, but he got out for a very good ball by Planet's best bowler Akul, next ball Madhu went and got out 1st ball by LBW, and our score was 20/4.
Team needed a real good partnership and the next batsman Suresh came and started taking single & doubles along with Chandu. Both played very sensibly and took their time, in order to stop the collapse. They made sure they bat without giving wicket till the first water break. When we thought both Chandu and Suresh got settled well, Chandu got out and the score was 41/5 in 15 overs.
Next batsman we tried Vaibhav, a newbie playing this season, he played his natural game, it was so wonderful to have these type of players who doesn't want to take pressure and bat more freely, he took quick 10 runs in a very difficult conditions, easing out pressure on Suresh, but Viabhav got out caught in 21st over 59/6. Next batsman Ashok came in, he's one of our very good find of this season, he started playing naturally and playing along with Suresh they had a good partnership taking singles and doubles taking score above 70s, Suresh got out after playing a very good anchoring innings and Titans were down to 74/7, almost of half of the runs remaining to score by last 3 wickets.
One thing was sure, we had never lost hope getting that 70 remaining runs, Titans is a team where all 11 players can bat and bowl, we do not believe in concentrating on one skill :)... Ashok was joined by Kishore, Ashok after hitting a good SIX, realized that he needs to stay in the middle and take score close the target before attempting another big hit. On the other hand Kishore after playing couple of balls middling them, felt he needs to take the attack to opposition, he started playing in his top gear and keep hitting the bowlers, his 2 SIXes on sqaure leg were so nicely timed and hit.. they crossed the boundary by long distances, best was the 3rd SIX which was flat and kept traveling.. We thought Kishore and Ashok will finish the game, but Kishore got out by bowled in 32.6th over 121/8. Next our super hitter Siva came and he timed one hit against the wind and hit a most difficult SIX towards covers. Both Ashok and Siva brought score close to target, but at this time Ashok, who batted very beautifully holding the sinking ship and brought it so close to the shores, got out by catch in 37th over 139/9, by Planet's best bowler Akul, who already took 3 wickets for 15 runs, and he was bowling his last over.
Dharani joined Siva and last wicket has to score 3 runs, it was different type of pressure for Dharani who was playing for us first season, and he has to face Akul's last 4 balls. It was so much tense much, whole Titans on and off the field were restless, In this pressure situation Dharani played all 4 balls of Akul comfortably, there was one WIDE ball, and we needed 2 more runs to win.
Next over Planet brought all their fielders inside to save runs, seeing this Siva wanted to clear the infield, he tried to swing all the balls, not making contact to even one, we were into last over, needing 2 runs to win, Dharani to face. Dharani was all ready to this task, but bowler who was also under pressure, bowled a WIDE down the legside, and keeper also wasnt able to collect it, making our batsman take one extra run. we WON! PHEW!!
It was one of the closest game for us this season, and the way team handled it was really AMAZING! Game which had multiple contributions from people who stepped in, be it Dharani who had to face 4 good balls just to save the wicket or Kishore who had to hit 4 good shots to bring momentum shift towards us, Akhshay and Vaibav who played first time so freely to keep the score ticking.. Ashok, Suresh, Chandu for their amazing patience to hold the wicket under collapsing conditions..
All in all, a wonderful game of cricket and these type of games will bond team together, bring in lot of confidence and courage as team!! and keep people motivating to play 8 hours over the weekend!!!
https://cricclubs.com/GPCL/viewScorecard.do?matchId=1366&clubId=48