Punjab XI beat Super Kings by 4 wickets with six balls to spare
Super King - 123/7 in 20 overs (Aditya 29, Neeraj 20)
Punjab - 124/6 in 18.5 overs (Yadwinder 39, PremPreeth 24, Neeraj 2 for 9)
It was a gorgeous weather for the weekend with 70 plus on Sunday. But, unfortunately, due to the draw of luck, our match was supposed to be played at Lindsay while the other four were happily placed at Lincoln. Since we had so much of snow last Sunday and with subsequent rain, both Lindsay and Tippecanoe was so water logged that it was impossible to play the game.
But, who would like to waste such a gorgeous first match weekend weather as we kept on checking on Lindsay periodically and on Sunday at 11am when Venkat/Shiv checked Lindsay, it was a forgone conclusion that our first match of the season is a wash out.
It was disappointing to say the least and as a captain, was checking as to whether we can have a practice game at least since the water puddle is only on one side and that too after 30 yards.u
But while giving the report, Venkat mentioned that the Lions game against Tigers at Lincoln was called off since the Lankan players were jolted by the bombing in SriLankan churches and star hotels which killed nearly 300+ innocents on Easter day, the holiest day for the Christians. It was so sad and frankly coming after the massacre of 50+ innocent devotees in a New Zealand mosque less than a month back, it was so sad to contemplate and wondered where the world is going with regard to tolerance and empathy for human lives.
But, this opened up a narrow opportunity to move the match to Lincoln. But the other team, Tigers were planning to do practice and thanks to last minute conference calls between myself, Lakshmi, Kuldeep (Punjab captain) and Harsh (Tigers captain), we miraculously moved the game to Lincoln. Lots of last minute tamasha etc. and it was so good that we can play the league game today.
It is always so nice to play cricket and at my age, every day of cricket is a blessing and to start the season with gorgeous weather, seeing all my dear friends, who are my family away from home, was so awesome indeed.
As we were waiting before the game, both myself and Neeraj briefly talked about our mothers whom we lost during the hibernation season and in my heart of heart, was wishing for a win on her behalf.
Madhav has moved to Portland and we are certain to miss his spirits and energy. But we had three new comers in the team and 14 out of the raster 15 were ready to play and it was going to be a challenge since we are allowed only 13 with two super substitutes. However, the fourteenth one can field although can’t bat or bowl.
Anyhow, Super Kings was formed to have everyone a role to play if they are at the ground and I will try my best to see that everyone goes home with the feeling that they were part of the game and more importantly enjoyed another great weekend.
Won the toss and elected to bat since two out of the three games so far at Lincoln were won by the team batting first and not only that they were all high scoring matches with 160 plus.
Punjab is a new team this year and three of their stalwarts, Ranbir, Gurlal and Lovely had moved to Warriors to form Warriors Punjab. Not knowing the new team, atleast there was a general expectation that we can score atleast 160 and bowl decently to win the first game of the season which will be such an awesome start indeed.
Super Kings Batting (123/7 in 20 overs)
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| Adita chipped in with 29 and a great catch |
Venkat and Shiv opened the batting and started decently enough. However, Shiv got bowled very early. However, Venkat was giving good company as Aditya seem to be determined to stay through the innings and make it to the 160 plus score for the team. In fact, he was asking before going to bat, what our target and we both agreed that we should at a minimum get 140 and that 160 will be a great score. Venkat after making yet another start, chased a wide delivery and came back disappointed (34/2 in 5.3 overs). Aditya made a well made 29 off 35 balls with a neat boundary and a sixer and was untimely bowled and seems to have been distracted by the bowler as he was not sure whether he was about to bowl or not. It was a little strange since he was settled down well and could have really taken us to 140 plus. However, the scoring rate was so good when he departed (75/3 in 10.5 overs) as he and Neeraj put on 41 runs in 32 balls.
Unfortunately Neeraj got out two balls later as we slumped to 78/4. Neeraj made a neat 20 in 16 balls with his trade mark six over square leg. So, all of a sudden, two set batsman were out.
Because it was Easter, Jeffrey was not playing this game. With Madhav also not there, this was an ideal opportunity for me to go and make it count. But, as always, preferred to give the opportunities to other other players and since Zubair who has joined our team this year was playing very well in the nets with all around shots, sent him next and although he made 11 in 11 balls, he got out going for a big shot in the 15th over.
After Neeraj got out, again sent Kiran ahead as I could see how much he has worked over the hibernating days losing so many pounds and it will hurt me so much if he did not get to bat. However, their partnership was a pedestrian 19 in 28 balls compared to the earlier run rate.
But still 97/5 in 15.3 overs is decent and with 27 balls to score, we should at least score 140 to make it a good game.
So, went in a the fall of Zubair wicket. Unfortunate as it is, watched a full maiden over from the non-strikers end and our partnership has yielded a paltry three runs with 11 balls.
Although I had fashioned myself to play through the V for a few balls and then take it on, with balls dwindling, if we were to reach 140+, only option is to hit out every ball and even if I get out, we will have Anand to take it on. After wasting my three balls trying to play across well outside the off stumps balls to hit over mid wicket, managed to hit a clean shot over widish long on for a boundary which was very nearly a six and then the next ball a pleasing pull which went only for two. It was the last ball of the 18th over and the score was at 110 and with only 12 balls to go, although had initially planned to tab the ball for a single, last minute went for a glory shot to a ball which should have been hit for a six. But missed it completely and got bowled. As a captain, this is exactly what I should do to get to a winning score since tapping for another 12 balls will not get us anywhere to what we needed. So, it was 110/6 in 18 overs.
But disappointingly, we managed to score only 13 runs in the next two overs and we certainly missed big hitters. Credit to Kiran who did some very good running, thanks to the gym and diet and scored 15 runs in 22 balls before getting run out.
Can't complain about the batsman and who were not big hitters and those who try to play within themselves. But, credit to Punjab as well as their bowler bowled to a consistent outside the off stump and even the slower bowlers bowled to a set field. A couple of hits would have rattled them but unfortunately we just didn't have the batting depth in the tail end.
123/7 in 20 overs was 20 runs short of our minimum target and way short of what we wished at the start of the innings. But again, Punjab is a new team and we were hoping that we can still win if we bowl and field well.
Punjab batting (124/6 in 18.5 overs)
Unfortunately we started pretty badly. Anurag who had bowled exceptionally well in the first practice session, bowled incredibly well and the very first ball went up the sky and ballooned for an easy catch to Neeraj at point. Neeraj was positioned so well and we all thought that he will gobble it so easily and were ready to scream towards him with that first ball of the innings. Alas! just as the ball was about to land, Neeraj realized that his body is away and tried to lean forward but could not hold on. It was very unfortunate and certainly nothing against Neeraj bhai. He had held on to so many catches and always take them so cleanly but being the first match and the first ball, it just wasn't our day.
But to make matters worse, that batsman, Yadwinder Singh, went onto make the top score of the innings of 39 runs in 39 balls.
Anurag bowled exceptionally well and could have easily had a wicket or two. His first two overs spell went for only eight runs and it was so nice to see him in fine rhythm as he bowled to within himself, not trying too much.
Aditya was brilliant as always and had the opening batsman caught neatly by Anand at mid-wicket as his two overs spell yielded eight runs for one wicket.
With with the score at 17/1 in four overs, felt that Zubair can make things happen since he is such a deceptive bowler, getting swing and with his unusual action can create doubts in the mind of lesser batsman and took the gamble for the fifth over. Although he started with two wides and above the waist no ball, he settled down and clean bowled the one down batsman with a perfect yorker and had Punjab 28/2 in five overs. Although he bowled well for two overs, conceding 15 runs for the wicket, he was there to surprise and it was important to get back to front line bowlers.
Karthik started with a few wides. Although he tried his best to keep it up, struggled for line and mostly bowled on leg stump and went for 18 runs in 2 overs. I was keen to get an extra fielder to mid-wicket but he insisted on bowling outside the off stump and in fact had set Venkat at finer slip for a catch which duly came but Venkat was not able to get hands as the ball flew over his head. For a slip fielder and especially for a set play, those needs to be taken but again Venkat might have been a couple of yards forward and those things have to stick in hand I suppose. One thing that I must do is that once I realize that a particular field placement is important, should enforce it right away since three balls went through mid-wicket, each for a couple and we could have saved three runs and every trickle makes a dent in a low scoring game.
Punjab at 48/2 in eight overs and keeping at the required rate and more importantly having wickets in the bank.
Anand came for the ninth and went for ten in his first over including a mighty six by Jagroop who scored 21 off 16 balls. After nine overs, Punjab were sitting pretty at 59/2 and it was important to get wickets.
The tenth over is an important decision as my initial hunch was to get Neeraj on since because of his height, he does not bowl the fuller length and bowls mostly the perfect three quarter length a couple of stumps outside the off with such lower trajectory which is hard for batsman to hit.
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| John, good first spell |
But thought of taking a gamble with the new comer, John who bowls tossed up leg spin. Although he has not come to the consistency we need from a leg spinner, it is important to give him confidence and if he gets to rhythm, he can easily get a few wickets within no time. Further, the longer I delay his introduction, tougher it would be for him since you can't bring a first time bowler when it gets to crunch time.
John answered our prayers immediately as he had Jagroop caught brilliantly by Aditya, running nearly twenty yards to his left and took a breath-taking catch over his head with the ball seemingly gone away from him and just showed what athleticism and confidence can do. After the tenth over, Punjab were 65/3 on par with their run rate.
It was time to take a go for the kill and brought Aditya for the 11th over. Although Aditya bowled brilliantly, that over went for 10 runs including two boundaries through covers as the batsman flashed hard, stepping away to his leg stump and hitting the ball with full force. Since Aditya was planning to bowl shorter in-tuckers, we didn't have the fielder in the cover boundary and he fully utilized that. Courageous play and that does make a telling difference.
The next over from Johh went for 13 runs including a boundary and a sixer. However, the second ball went high to square leg where Karthik dropped a sitter. But, the ball went so high and for the start of the season with very limited practice, such catches are less often taken unless you are someone like Aditya who feels and longs for the ball. Sadly another catch down and then two boundaries of the over. If the catch had been taken, would have been a master stroke to have the new bowler introduced and making in-roads. Well bowled John.
But, suddenly in two overs, they had scored 23 runs and the asking rate has come down to less than a run a ball as Punjab were 88/3 in 12 overs. 48 balls 36 runs with seven wickets. It is still their game to loose.
Brought back Anurag who has been so good and he did so well to give only three runs in the 13th over although Punjab was still comfortably placed at 92/3, needed 32 in 42 balls with seven wickets left
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| Neeraj, good all round show |
Had purposely kept Neeraj for the end, not only to provide a chance to newcomer John, but also because I felt that of all the bowlers, he is the one who can make it difficult for Punjab batsman because of his discipline to bowl outside the off stump and that too with his flatter trajectory and he certainly kept to my faith as he bowled a brilliant first over, conceding only one run and getting Bhinder who had top scored with 39 in 38 balls stumped comfortably by Shiv.
Anurag next over went for eight runs as he again bowled brilliantly although a full toss went for a four. After the game, he told me that he attempted an yorker and that went as an easy full toss on the leg. As much as it is important to take wickets, it is also extremely vital to keep the batsman struggling for runs especially when the run rate required is so small. Not an issue as he is learning so well and fast and becoming a go to guy with our medium pace options.
15 overs 101/4 with 23 required in 30 balls. It is getting more interesting as Neeraj had his second wicket in the next over, clean bowling Prem Preet who had played very well in scoring 24 in 15 balls with a six and four.
To make it even worse with our fielding effort, I dropped another easy catch in that over. The ball went high and was about 10 yards in-front of me as I was at mid off. Totally misjudged where the ball is coming down and was a split second late in realizing that I was a lot closer than other fielders and my tame attempt to run forward and catch the ball went futile as the ball tipped my fingers and fell off. What a crucial moment in the game which made me so depressed and felt like a minion. Such moments make the game as if I had hung on, it would have been five wickets down with still 23 required. But again, it happened and those are are the moments that define the pain and agony of one day in our lives.
Anand came back for the next over and although gave six runs, an easy catch was put down by new comer John, who was in short mid-wicket. Went at chest height and just fell off his chest. Poor guy! He is playing his first game in the league and that too after so many years. We all see his passion and enthusiasm as he is here to stay. Such catches, more often than not, either stick or get grassed. As it turned out, a fair share of balls followed him in the next few balls even when we moved him to square leg.
110/5 in 17 overs with still 13 required off 18 balls.
Next over by Neeraj went for eight runs with some good running between the wickets by the new pair of Punjab batsman who quickly and smartly realized that all it needs it tap and run instead of wild slog which might have backfired as they started the nineteenth over, needing only six to win with they duly completed by neatly tucking Anand to the leg.
When Anand came back for his last spell, we wanted him to bowl more like Neeraj, bowling a back off length ball outside the off stump but his natural style has always been fuller on the off and middle and knowing this, should have kept more attacking close-in fielders to stop the single in the arc between square leg and mid-wicket.
Little things that can make a big difference. We certainly need some quick and alert fielders who can make things happen closer to the wicket and certainly I don't fit in this role and it's better for me to move to square leg or fine leg instead of hogging the important mid-off position unless I can improve leaps and bounds in fielding which is less likely with my age. Passion can only get to some level and then the law of age and dwindling reflexes indeed catch on and instead of fighting over, should accept reality and do what is best for the team.
So, Punjab won with seven balls to spare with four wickets left. Tough and sad loss.
Reflections:
Batting first, we were certainly well on course to post 140 plus which should have been a easily winning score. We were 71/2 in ten overs and if a team can't double the score from then on with so many wickets in hand, it just shows how brittle we are in the end overs. Certainly need big hitters and missed Jeffrey today. Also should take more responsibility in shepherding the crunch overs between 10 to 15 by playing smarter and also need to make sure that the end over players do not scratch around, especially if we have wickets in the bag. Every run counts and to still keep three wickets in the tact after 20 overs and score only 123 in 20 overs is just not good enough.
Bowling wise, this is one of the best bowling efforts of the team as everyone bowled within themselves and not many loose balls or wides, which just shows that we are gelling into a good bowling unit as we understand the importance of line and length and more importantly play within our limits.
Fielding was pathetic and as much as it is a first game of the season, this is where we lost the game. But it happened and we need to move on, realizing where we have our work cut out. We all went home with an extremely sullen feeling and it hurt us dearly as we had every reason to have had a convincing win to start the season.
During the quick chat with the team after the game, could see how hurt the team is as I see a overwhelming frustration that we keep losing time and again by compromising winning positions as we are not going for the kill by not having proper field placements or in placing priority in providing chances to everyone.
To some extent, this came in as a surprise as the prime motto for a nearly fifty year old to form this team three years back was to have a bunch of dedicated and enthusiastic guys play together as a team and get to do a role in every game they come into play. For the last three years, we have been playing with that intent, which although hopefully has resulted in guys driving home that they got another great day of cricket, hasn't given the winning feeling that is naturally the icing for any sport participation.
Coming to my own circumstances, having lost my mother recently and having seen my eldest daughter moving out of state for college, these hibernating days have been painful and was so keenly looking forward to the season to bring in joy. Am sure that each and every one of the players have been going though something or the other that makes them look forward to these games. As a older guy, it will pain me to see those guys go home doing very little in a game.
But starting the fourth season in the league with very few wins, can comprehend the feeling of some of the senior players who are willing to make the extra yard in practice and effort to get us to be a winning team. It's fair and it is time to address the elephant in the room and start planning better to make such close games winnable.
My days as a cricketer are dwindling and it is natural for someone of my age to focus more on participation and chances to everyone and so on. But the fact of the matter, there are many others who are in the prime of their youth and it is natural from their point of view to take us to the next level as a team. It is time to strike a balance and make us a more competitive team.
Poor Abhijit! Although he was in the batting XI, could not get to bat and fielded only four overs. Knowing him, he won't complain. The newbie in our team, Kausik was exceptional in the field and is really great to have someone so enthusiastic and more importantly thinking about the team. He was the prime wicket keeper for Spartans last year and is here for us as a medium pacer and has lots of potential which we hope to utilize in the coming games.
Overall, as much as it hurts to loose a winning game, it was a great game of cricket and puts things in perspective as to where we are as team.
Looking forward to improved performance and certainly show our mettle as a competitive team, going forward.
Go Super Kings.
