Panthers started with a bang in the very first over to dismiss Shadows captain Yoga for a first ball duck. A good length delivery from Vijay S moved enough to take an edge which was gleefully accepted by Rahul Bedi. Only two runs were given off the first over. Kranthi joined in Prashanth at the crease and Abhi continue for Panthers. A few short balls were pulled away by Prashnath towards the deep midwicket region with one accounting for a boundary. But immediately thereafter Abhi struck and Prashanth (7 runs 6balls) was sent packing caught and bowled. Shawdows progressed at a relatively good pace with 14 runs scored off 3 overs but two down. Raju tried to do a Ranatunga by attempting to run the ball down to third man but instead provided a lolly-pop to Vijay S who gulped it down easily. After 4 overs the score read 24 runs and 3 wickets down. Vijay S continued the 5 th over and gave away just 3 runs. Rupesh started as first change and bowled a maiden over to further slow down Shadows progress. Hari started off well and just gave away 4 runs coming in as second change.
Rosie started the 10 th over with a bang and scalped 2 wickets in his first over. The first to go was Shiva who was held on by Rahul behind the stumps. Wasim was playing a test match innings at the other hand by scoring only 3 runs till then off 20 balls. Rosie pitched a ball on middle and leg which Wasim tried to glide it through midwicket and instead spooned a sitter to Rupesh at short cover. There was acrimony all around with Yoga the umpire ruling the ball bounced on the ground. The logic defying argument by Yoga the umpire was pretty baffling and I am sure Yoga must have been visualising something else at the very moment. Anyway, Rosie cleaned up Wasim (3 runs off 23 balls) in the same over.
Shivanand and Arul started after the break for Shadows and so did Hari and Rosie for Panthers. Shivanand played some good attacking strokes off Hari. Rosie starting next got rid off Arul who miscued a pull shot which was latched on by a leaping Spandan. Spandan was estatic by his own effort and kept shouting at Hari who had earlier belittled Spandan's effort during the break for misjudging an earlier catch. Rosie struck back again by dismissing Shivanand (15 runs off 21 balls) who was caught in the deep off Shekhar.
Rupesh was keeping things quiet and did so by bowling 3 overs for a meagre 4 runs and bowled one maiden. Rosie did a splendid job by the end of his 4 overs by claiming a five wicket haul for just 14 runs. A truly splendid effort. Vijay S cleaned up the tail in the 16 th over and Shadows were bundled for a less flattering 59 runs. Still, given the nature of the pitch anything was possible.
Panthers started off as usual with Abhi and Shekhar on a positive note by scoring 9 runs of the very first over by Yoga. Abhi pulled a short delivery for a boundary in the first over and set the ball rolling (pun intended) for Panthers. Panthers were well placed with 31 runs coming off 5 overs. Arul was doing a fine job for Shadows by mixing up his length well on a deteriorating pitch. Panthers lost Abhi first to full pitched delivery on the off which was caught behind Shivananad. Abhi (19 off 21 balls) provided a fine fine start to put Panthers on their course for a third victory. Shekhar soon departed as well holding out to Raju off Wasim at short cover region playing an uppish shot. Vijay S joined Hari in the 7 th over were Panthers were placed very well at 42 runs and two wickets down. Accumulating singles an dtwos and an odd boundary or two Panthers eased past the target in the very first over after break. With 9 overs to spare, the eight wicket win should provide some more confidence to Panthers who look pretty solid with their batting, fielding or bowling.
Rightly, the MoM is Rosie for his 5 wicket haul and just giving away 14 runs. Hari shined with the bat scoring 16 off 18 balls so did Abhi (19 off 21 balls). Rupesh as usual captained the side well and managed to give few runs in this three overs. Not to ignore Rahul Bedi's effort with the gloves on a difficult pitch. In all, Panthers are growing well and hopefully provide the same good cricket they have in the last three matches.
Keeper :- Rahul Bedi (Purported, Punjab Lion at heart, pounces on the ball behind the stumps considering it as bait. However, he is the Chandigarh Mail with the ball in hand. He can bat well, particularly when captain, to lift his team out of trouble and take them to a fighting total)
Scorecard :http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=pEn3926bpcpqgMLe3V_-JWQ&hl=en
Patron & Sponsor : Ajay Kaul presenting award
Captain : Rupesh Gupta applauding team effort
MoM : Rosie 4-0-14-5 (Prodigious swing, ball does kick from good length to deceive many a batsman)
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