This is most important game for us, since Rebels are one the tuffest team to beat in the league. We hardly won couple of games so far, that too not very convincingly, so far. However, begining of this game we were all in a very good mood and almost feeling like Rebels is just an other team, thats a good sign. Then came our most inspirational Sourav (Sunpa of Titans), mainly to nullify dark magic of Moonpa (Rebels).
Titans won the toss and without hesitation took batting, this was another surprise for Rebels, because conventionally Titans took bowling most of the time. Anyways, our normal opening pair for this season Shan and Chandu started their batting. It was really good start, we could see both batsman started middling the ball pretty early. Shan anna started attacking hitting a boundary, however soon he miss judged one and got out bowled for Amri. Score was 20 runs(3.2 overs). Chandu was joined by Hariprashath, both of them batted beautifully, holding the wicket and make sure there's no early wicket fall, they rotated the strikes whenever they got a chance and punished the loose balls, they see through the good bowling of Rebels for next 12 overs, in 16th over Hari tried to up the run rate went for a risky swing and got out. Then it was Akshay Kolte, newbie for Titans, but he didn't look like a newbie, he was playing so freely and his partnership with Chandu made us feel that run making was very easy, we were scoring at a good run rate and when things were looking good Akhsay got out for Krunal, score 100 runs(21 overs).
Then Madhu joined Chandu and as usual they started rotating strikes by quick running between the wicket, while it was going good, Chandu was adjudged as LBW, he made a very well fought 50 runs (2nd 50 in 2 consecutive days), wonderful batting. HariKishore joined Madhu, but before they could build a partnership Kishore tried a expensive shot and got caught. Then came Varun (newly married) relocated to Lousiana, but couldn't resist game against Rebels travelled all the way from Lousiana, he still haven't lost any touch, just came in and started middling the ball easily, apart from getting exhausted running between wicket he was flawless, he hit a wonderful SIX, made a quick fire 25 runs before getting out attempting another biggie, score 187(35 overs). Madhu was joined by Suriba, again running was so good between them and at the same time taking the odd balls to boundaries, within next 21 balls they scored 40 runs, Suriba got Stumped out trying to charge by stepping out, score was 225 (38.3 overs). Just after that Madhu also got out with a well made 63 runs, Last combination of Siva, Ashok just had to swing their bats to up the runs to whatever we can reach. Siva's SIX was classy, similarly Ashok's straight drive boundary against their best bowler Amri. Finally TITANs reached 240, as usual Dharani remained NOTOUT ๐ , One day we will get him out ๐
Titans started bowling with Siva and Chandu, Siva got the very dangerous Krunal Rebels best batsman, by far best batsman in the league, a wonderful reflex catch by Varun in short covers, that pumped up whole team. With this wicket Rebels started very convervative, their another good batsman Thakur who usually is attacking, started playing a waiting game, not going for any risky shots, trying to get out of strike (something we should learn). Other 2 batsmen for Rebels Saurin and Umair couldn't get going they tried risky shots, Saurin's catch by Shanmuga was one of a very good running catch, which could make us believe whatever the age he tells us he is.. ๐ , Umair gave a easy catch, Rebels score was 28/3 (5.2 overs).
After this came Amri, who is not really known for his batting, however with his grit and will, he was able to play comfortably against many of our good bowlers (again one more thing to learn), both Amri and Thakur didn't take much risk, just rotated the strike and this partnership was really becoming dangerous for Titans.
Finally most dependable and partnership breaker Suriba produced an oppurtunity made Amri play an uppish shot straight into Shan Anna's hands. This partnership was 70, they didn't run as good as we did between wickets, didn't try swinging the bat still got these runs in just 15 overs(almost 5 per/over), how easy is it?? After Amri got out came in Moonpa, who got out within no time by Chandu's wonderful bowling and Varun's catching. I think since Sunpa was not around, Moonpa couldn't shine. After Moonpa, came in most dangerous batsman for Rebels, Saqib bhai, who had just scored 100 previous day, in a tremendous form. Thakur and Saqib combination was too good and possibly only partnership which could take Rebels home. But, we also had our best speedster and more lethal bowler Kishore ready to take this challenge, he bowled beautifuly and took both Saqib bhai and Thakur in a span of 2 overs, both Saqib and Thakur's out came out of a well directed bouncer, and a wonderful catches, one by Suresh (this was the best catch of the match) and another by Chandu in the deep. Remaining batsman were cleaned up by Harikishore, Chandu and Dharani.
Titans won this game very comfortably by 92 runs.
Notable things about this game:
1. I'm pretty impressed by the partnerships of this game, if whole team could think in this direction, we can make good score against any bowling attack. Just need to survive, play few balls to settle in and later, try scoring risk free as much as possible. Just take a note of below partnerships, this is wonderful
Chandu- Hari : 43 runs
Chandu - Akshay ~ 40 runs
Chandu - Madhu ~ 25 runs
Madhu - Varun ~ 46 runs
Madhu - Suri ~ 40 runs
thats how we reached 240 runs.
2. Bowling in good areas, and bowling according to the plan and testing the batsman is more important. Making batsman uncomfortable and making them play those shots are very important.
3. Another notable performance which is not above, was of Ashok's. He bowled in perfect tandem with Chandu. He gave only 27 runs in his 8 overs and the result of this bowling, people try to take on Chandu and gave their wicket. This is the partnership we need on bowling side.
4. Scoring 100 runs in last 12 overs, not only gave us momentum, but tested and troubled Rebels fielders.
Others:
1. Batting by Amri & Thakur ~ 70 runs (16 overs) - There's sure something to learn from this (Bat like them, or how to plan breaking these type of partnerships)
Many Thanks to Rajesh Gonuguntla, Vaibhav, who stood by the team during the game and morally supported us.
** I'm sure this is a big report, but this is needed for the big game**