Tiigers of Kolkata Secure Commanding Victory Over Majhi Mumbai in ISPL Eliminator
In a thrilling Indian Street Premier League (ISPL) Season 3 Eliminator match held on Wednesday at the Lalbhai Contractor Stadium in Surat, the Tiigers of Kolkata delivered a masterclass in all-round cricket to defeat Majhi Mumbai by a convincing margin of 44 runs. This impressive win has propelled the Tiigers into Qualifier 2, where they will face the formidable Ahmedabad Lions, setting the stage for an exciting showdown in the tournament.
Kolkata's Batting Prowess Sets Up a Formidable Total
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, the Tiigers of Kolkata established a strong foundation early in their innings. Opener Saroj Paramanik provided a brisk start, scoring 28 runs off just 20 deliveries before being dismissed by Mohammad Zeeshan, who emerged as the sole wicket-taker for Majhi Mumbai in this crucial encounter. Despite this early setback, the Tiigers' batting lineup remained unshaken.
Rajat Mundhe and Krushna Gawali then took charge of the innings, forging an unbeaten partnership that completely overwhelmed the Majhi Mumbai bowling attack. Mundhe played the anchor role with great composure, remaining not out on 34 from 24 balls, while Gawali unleashed a ferocious assault, smashing an explosive 42 not out from a mere 19 deliveries. Their combined efforts propelled the Tiigers to a commanding total of 124/1 in their allotted 10 overs, putting immense pressure on the opposition.
Majhi Mumbai's bowling struggles were further compounded by conceding 13 extras, highlighting their lack of discipline in this high-stakes match.
Majhi Mumbai's Chase Falls Apart Amidst Clinical Bowling
Chasing a challenging target of 125 runs, Majhi Mumbai's innings got off to a disastrous start. Arish Khan struck early blows during the powerplay, removing key batters Jignesh Rajput and Kabir Singh, and finished with exceptional figures of 3/6. However, the defining moment of the match came in the sixth over when Vivek Shelar produced a sensational hat-trick, dismissing Thomas Dias, Bunty Patel, and Vijay Pawle on consecutive deliveries.
This remarkable feat shattered any hopes of a Majhi Mumbai comeback, leaving their batting lineup in complete disarray. Amidst the collapse, Abhishek Dalhor stood out with a blazing knock of 43 runs off just 17 balls, but he received little support from his teammates. In a dismal display, five Majhi Mumbai batters were dismissed for ducks, underscoring the team's batting frailties.
Saroj Paramanik returned to the attack to claim two crucial wickets, including that of Dalhor in the ninth over, as Majhi Mumbai were bowled out for a mere 80 runs in 9.3 overs. This comprehensive bowling performance sealed a dominant 44-run victory for the Tiigers of Kolkata, showcasing their superiority in all departments of the game.
Looking Ahead: Qualifier 2 and the Grand Finale
With this emphatic win, the Tiigers of Kolkata have earned the right to face the Ahmedabad Lions in Qualifier 2, scheduled for Thursday. The outcome of this match will determine who advances to the Grand Finale of ISPL Season 3, set to take place on Friday. The Chennai Singams await the winner of Qualifier 2 in what promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the tournament.
Brief Scores:
- Tiigers of Kolkata: 124/1 in 10 overs (Krushna Gawali 42*, Rajat Mundhe 34*; Mohammad Zeeshan 1/35)
- Majhi Mumbai: 80/10 in 9.3 overs (Abhishek Dalhor 43, Thomas Dias 16; Arish Khan 3/6, Vivek Shelar 3/7)
- Result: Tiigers of Kolkata won by 44 runs
