Second Match against Lions - 7th May 2016 at Lincoln at 9AM (Saturda)

Lions beat Super Kings by 67 runs

 

Lions 150 for 6 in 20 overs (Ruvindra 43, Kishan 22, AJ 18,  Badri 2 for 15, Jeevan 2 for 29)

Super Kings 83 for 9 in 20 overs (Subbu 12, Mayanta 2 for 12, Kishan 2 for 13)

Coming on the heels of a reasonably good performance during the first game, I was extremely disappointed with the meek showing in our first completed match.  Never expected that this will be such a bad game that we lost by 67 runs and what was hurting was the lack of any kind of fighting instinct from the batting XI since the team gave up very easily.

Coming to the game itself, was very surprised to find a very windy and chilly Lincoln park.   Since we had early morning showers with new mat at the ground,  thought that it would make sense to bat last since the ball might skid through in the first innings. Won the toss and duly elected to field even though we had only 10 in the ground at that time.  Poor Jeffrey!   Having moved to a new apartment last night, had over slept and still was  a few minutes away from the ground when we were about to start the first over.    Since our new ball bowler Ravi was not playing,  I was a little tense since I don't know who else can bowl with the new ball although Jeevan can do the job.  But he is our strike bowler and need to have him after taking the shine off.  Luckily in the nick of time, Jeffrey joined and all was well!!

Lions batting:

For Lions, Ruvindra opened the batting with Dilanka and had a great start with 30 runs on the board by the fourth over.   By this time Ruvindra had already hit three crisp boundaries and was egging to go even longer.   Since Ravi, our new ball bowler was not playing the game, I had to bowl the fifth over of the innings.  Probably for the first time, I had come in so early.  But started decently giving away only one run in the my first over and got the first wicket of Dilanka in my second over, plumb LBW as the first wicket fell in the 7th over with the score at 42.

Kishan came in next and I was so stupid to feed him with wide half-volleys outside the off-stump with his first two balls which he gleefully took full tool, inclusive of a square driven boundary.  My thought process was to bowl full on his middle and leg since he has a tendency to play heavily on off-side and I thought that such length might get him LBW.  But paid the price for over-thinking.  It is always good to stick to what you are good at and the consistent line and length I was so for bowling was compromised by my stupidity.  Anyhow we live and learn and then again, I am not a front line bowler.

Ruvindra: 43 runs in 29 balls,

Ruvindra scored a breezy 43 in 29 balls inclusive of three boundaries and two towering sixers.  Lot to learn from how he paced his innings.  He was very selective and just waited for the bad balls and when they came, he gave a really good whack.  It is a simple philosophy and not many people can apply game after game.  Ruvindra, my captain last year, is very good at that.  Just shows how much a simple minded approach can get you lots of runs.  Just wait for the bad ball and when they do come, whack them.  Nice batting Ruvindra.

Having played with Kishan for a while, I know that he has this tendency to play squarer on the off-side and hence placed one of our best fielders on the square cover (45 yards). After a few impatient attempt to clear the square cover, Kishan duly obliged by falling to my captaincy trick   It was  a good, running catch by Jayanth since he ran close to 30 yards to reach that ball off the bowling of Badri.  Am so happy with such a team man in Jayanth, captain's dream man.

In the meanwhile, Krishna bowled one over which cost 16 runs inclusive of a boundary and a six.  He is trying his best and still coming to turns.   What I really like to have him bowl are  nice loopy fullish length balls with slow pace.   Looks like he has always been bowling fastish, slightly short of length balls and seems to think that this is the best option. But, I can tell that such balls will be fodder for may a batsman especially on a belter like Lincoln.   Although he bowled far better in his next two overs from the other end, taking a wicket and giving away 13 runs, his bowling figures were not that pretty 3 - 0 - 29 - 1.   But, as a captain, I have the onus to provide the confidence for him to be a front line spinner and will continue to encourage him unless it begins to compromise too much on our ulterior goal which is to win games.   Krishna! Slower and fuller and that's all we need from you.

Badri: Excellent bowling spell

The surprise packet was indeed Badri.  During the last practice session, he was quite nippy and was also keeping a good line and so was expecting him to run in and bowl his nippy medium pacers.  However, seeing the windy conditions, sort of requested him to bowl slowly and fully and he did exactly that for three continuous overs.   He was tight and slow and Lions found it hard to hit against him and he was rewarded with the   prize wickets of Kishan and AJ.  Good tight spell of 3 overs for 15 runs with two good wickets. Outstanding first spell from Badri.  

In the meanwhile,  AJ continues to amaze as he scored run-a-ball 18 runs, inclusive of a towering six over long on.  How can the oldest player in our league continue to play such stellar role game after game.   Just sheer passion and love for the game from the great man.  If not for him, we would not have had Super Kings this year.  He was the one who called me on a late Saturday in April to check as to whether I will play for Lions this year.   When I indicated that it was unlikely, and that may form a new team,  urged me to take the initiatives right away.   If not for that phone call, I would not have send that facebook posting, requesting for players.     We all owe  a big, big thanks to this great man who means so much to this league and in particular, to the formation of Super Kings.  h  Big thank you dear AJ.

Once AJ was out, I thought that Lions will slow down.  Although they were 88 in 11 overs, I thought that we can restrict them to 130 or so.   All it required was disciplined bowling and alert fielding in the inner ring since the remaining batsman are not as capable as others in clearing the 30 yard.  But, Vinod played a nicely to remain not out for 11 runs of 12 balls and Roshan chipped in with 10 runs of 8 balls, including a boundary in the last over.

A few words on that last over boundary.  For a moment, I thought that Badri will catch that at the long-on boundary since it was hit straight to him.  However, Badri was too eager and only at the last moment realized that his momentum has propelled him too forward. If he had stayed on the line, he would have caught it.   An important message:  For the last two overs in particular the last over, fielders need to be on the boundary line since it is more important to prevent boundaries.  It would also be far more easier to catch going forward.

Need to state a few words on Vinod.  We both go a long way and in fact when I was considering to form a new team two years back,  the person that I reached out to was Vinod.  Towards the end of the last season, we both started planning for the new team with the plan to have him as our vice captain.   Since I did not start the proceeding for the new team early enough, Vinod gave his commitment to Lions.   When the new team got approved, instead of switching team where as vice-captain, he can have a  a stronger and more vocal say in matters, Vinod decided to honor the commitment to Lions and stayed with them.  A great  demonstration of  integrity and keeping one accountable for his words and actions.  Hats off Vinod! Glad to be your friend.

Lions made 150 for 6 in 20 overs, which was about 30 runs more than what I thought they will make. Once again, we gave away 30 runs in extra, including 25 runs in wides.  That is four full extra overs!!!  Unacceptable and hopefully team will learn quickly and we will cut down on the wides.

Abhijit who kept the wickets found it hard to stop the wides as many of them went for two runs and I had to switch to Shiv in the middle.  Shiv has been requesting for the keeping role from the start of the season and I have been resisting that request mainly because he already has a decisive role to open the batting and as a good out fielder. But keeping is such a vital role for the team and needs the best of the lot.  Shiv did a good job and nearly made a wonderful catch off my bowling when the ball took the edge in my third over.

 Catching was good with two good catches by Abhijith and short cover of skiers and Moiz pouncing another catch at the same position.  Fielding needs to improve a lot, especially in the inner field. But guys in the 30 yard should be far more alert and a number of runs were scored and should have been stopped by being alert. I was also culprit for the same because of my over-enthusiasm to dive too early and probably would have cost three runs.  In all, we gave about 8 to 10 runs extra in addition to those extra wides.   Thus, 30 less runs and Lions at 120 would have been pretty good to chase and that is exactly what I was hoping for when I asked them to bat first.   But again, my boys are new to the league and getting to know the intricacies of league game.

Super Kings Batting:

 Needing 150 to win, I thought that it still can be done provided we have good opening partnership and that the top order batsman bat through the first 10 overs scoring about 70 runs.  Sunil opened with Shiv and the first wicket fell in the second over itself with the score on 11.  Sunil got run out again.  This is totally unacceptable, especially at the top order since a run out is simply gifting the wicket away.  But since Sunil and Shiv are partnering for the first time, it will take some time to start trusting the partner and from the look of things, it looks as though this was a one of a kind run out where both batsman were not at fault. Having not seen the run out myself, I cannot provide my judgement.  But it is important to remind that the two batsman should have enormous trust for each other and call out clearly "yes or no".   If the ball is hit in front of the wicket, it is the bastman's call and if it's hit behind the wicket, it is the runner's call.  We all know that and guys playing in a league, it is all the more important to remember these basic things.     Am sure these two  have learned from this incidence and will run well in the next games.

Although I was deciding between Badri and Prasannaah as the one-down, decided to go with Pras since he played well in the practice game and since Badri had already contributed significantly in the game by bowling three overs so well.  As a captain, at least at the start of the season, it is important and necessary for me to provide opportunities for everyone to have roles where they are good at.  Pras played well and hit a very good boundary, but all of a sudden got bowled off a very rash shot. Top order batsman should value their wicket and should not go for such hoicks that early in the innings.  Again, I know Pras is smart enough and will learn to stay since we cannot afford top order to collapse. 

Although I was planning to bat only at the 5th down, given that we are chasing 150 and that we have already lost two wickets  (24 for 2 in 4 overs), got in at two down.   Started well and was really middling the ball and felt very comfortable indeed since the balls were coming on nicely.   I was almost scoring run a ball.

In the meanwhile, Kishan and Mayantha were bowling wicket to wicket well.   Unfortunately Shiv perished LBW to Kishan.  I thought that the ball was shaping outside the leg stump but the umpire thought otherwise.  But again, umpire is the ultimate judge and have to live with it.  Shiv tried his best to hang on and was also showing positive intent which augers well for future games.

Rucheera came onto bowl and I was all the more happy with that.  Swung a ball to mid-wicket for two runs and then hit a very satisfying straight hit for a very near six.   It was very gratifying and I thought that we are going along smoothly as I had scored 12 runs in 12 balls.

Badri came after Shiv and was getting to have a measure of the bowling and with the score at 48 runs in the nineth over, thought that we should start taking some risks with running between the wickets and foolishly went for a run when Badri hit a ball a straight to the gully fielder .  7 times out of 10, I would not have gone for that but given that we need to score more and that we have three good batsman coming in next in terms of Jeevan, Jeffrey and Jayanth, I decided to take the risk and paid for it as the throw was straight as an arrow and Vinod, the keeper did not have to move an inch.   Very sorry way to get out especially after I was shaping out so well,having played shots all around the wicket, tab to gully, nice flick, two straight drives and mid-wicket hoick.  There goes another waste of a wicket but I don't feel too bad about it since that percentage play was called for since we still needed to score 100+ in 11 overs.

To my extreme disappointment, rest of the batting caved in and we scored only 35 runs in the next 11 overs, losing five more wickets.   Jeevan was shaping well and showing every promise of being a wonderful player, but got out LBW as he played across.   Jeffrey, who has hardly practiced recently, got out bowled off his second ball.   Jeffrey is a good hitter and am sure that once he takes the time to settle down, playing his first few balls straight, he will do a far better job.  Further, he needs to come in  after 13 overs or so.   Jayanth tried his best to stay and was man enough to take a blow to his shoulder off  a full toss.  I am extremely happy that I get to play with such lively, youthful and lovely friends and who would have thought about this a month back.  Am glad to have formed this team since this experience to play with these wonderful folks  is unforgettable and will live with me to my grave.

Moiz, Abhijith and Krishna got to bat and tried their best.  Lions bowled well, realizing that all it requires is simple wicket to wicket slow bowling. Realizing how weak our batting is, Lions infact bowled 10 bowlers (except the wicket keeper, Vinod).

Super Kings could score only 83 runs for 9 wickets in 20 overs in their full completed batting.

Points to ponder

We have given away close to 30 runs extra in both of our games.  Too many wides and inept fielding.  Every run counts and fielders, especially the inner ring,  need to be engaged to stop singles and attempt their best to stop boundaries.  Bowlers need to step up, no wides.

Top order batsman should value their wicket and need to stay for the first 10 overs to score between 60 to 70 without losing more than three wickets.     Running between the wickets is key to any good batting performance and I was surprised by the lack of intent from the lower order to tap and run.  In a completed innings with the outfield like in Lincoln,  atleast 110 runs should be scored in 20 overs.  I know that everyone is batting for the first time. Probably some of you are afraid of failures.  But, as a captain, let me assure that you that you will get to have adequate chances to show your skills.   Don't be afraid of failures.  So long as your making an effort to do well and keep thinking about the team, I will back you to the hilt.  We are all in this as one team and each and every one of us have to encourage each other to do our best.  We can do it and we will WIN.

Sky is the limit my dear Super Kings.  Take one ball at a time and focus on it to the best.  Am sure that better days are ahead and we will have our first win as a team very soon.

Go Super Kings




Regal 2016: League   -   Lions won by 67 runs (05/07/2016)

Lions: 150/6(16.5 overs) Super Kings: 83/9(19.0 overs)

Lions innings (20 overs maximum)		R	B	4s	6s	SR
Dilanka Dahanayake	lbw b Raman S	6	14	0	0	42.86
Ruvindra Perera*	c Abhijit D b Badri A	43	29	3	2	148.28
Krishan Cadiramen	c Jayanth P b Badri A	22	18	2	0	122.22
Ajith Wijenayake	c Abhijit D b Jeevan B	18	18	0	1	100.00
Pranav Dogra	c Moiz K b Krishna A	5	3	1	0	166.67
Vinod Palathinkara	not out	11	12	0	0	91.67
Ruchira Kumarasinghe	b Jeevan B	0	1	0	0	0.00
Roshan Nanayakkara	not out	10	8	0	0	125.00
Extras	(b 2 lb 2 w 26 nb 2 pen 3)	35
Total	(6 wickets;16.5 overs)	150
Did not bat: Mayantha Pieris, Ruwan Perera

Bowling	O	M	R	W	Econ
Jayanth Para	4.0	0	31	0	7.75		(6w 1nb)
Jeffrey John	3.0	0	23	0	7.67		(4w)
Raman Subramanian*	3.0	0	18	1	6.00		(5w)
Jeevan Bandlamudi	4.0	0	32	2	8.00		(6w)
Krishna Amaravathi	3.0	0	29	1	9.67		(2w 1nb)
Badri Aavan	3.0	0	15	2	5.00		(3w)

Super Kings innings (target: 151 runs from 20 overs)		R	B	4s	6s	SR
Sunil Nambissan	run out ()	4	6	0	0	66.67
Sivaram Kaushik	lbw b Krishan C	6	14	0	0	42.86
Prasannaah Hadagali	b Mayantha P	9	10	1	0	90.00
Raman Subramanian*	run out ()	12	12	1	0	100.00
Badri Aavan	c b Mayantha P	7	18	0	0	38.89
Jeevan Bandlamudi	lbw b Ruvindra P	5	6	0	0	83.33
Jeffrey John	b Krishan C	0	2	0	0	0.00
Jayanth Para	lbw b Ajith W	9	20	0	0	45.00
Moiz Khan	run out ()	2	15	0	0	13.33
Abhijit Das	not out	3	7	0	0	42.86
Krishna Amaravathi	not out	1	5	0	0	20.00
Extras	(b 0 lb 0 w 9 nb 1 pen 15)	25
Total	(9 wickets;19.0 overs)	83

First Match against Knights on 30th April (Saturday at 1.30pm)

First game for Super Kings.   Through my hour long drive from home to the ground,  various emotions were flowing along. First and foremost was the bitter cold weather (43 degrees) with steady showers in the forecast  from about 2pm.  Secondly, but for one game three years back, I have not played at Lincoln, needless to state for the rest of the team.  Thirdly,  this will be the first time we will be playing in a league match as a team and had lots of doubts as to how I can make sure that everyone get to do their best in a totally unknown ground with such a chilly and daunting weather.

Just as I was heading out of home,  remembered Shiv who has been umpiring on our behalf from the morning. Had the presence of mind to get a subway sandwich for him at the nick of time.  By the time, I reached the ground the first game of the season was done with MCC beating Lions handsomely.  

It was such a chilly weather that I had to rush back to my car to get my hat and ear muffs and sweater.  While driving, I was thinking that we should bat second.  This may sound strange considering the 100% chance of rain.  But,  I am an optimistic person and I have more than once seen the  weather prediction go awry.   It is no brainer that chasing is the best option on a rain interrupted game since we can go all out to win since our rule is that minimum 10 overs to be played and the asking rate will be just the RPO of the first batted team.  

To make it easy, Khawar won the toss and duly elected to bat with a wink in his eye.  Having lost the toss, I felt   that this is a great chance to get to bowl and field in this unknown ground. Batting skills can be practiced in any ground but bowling/fielding needs to be done at the actual ground to really evaluate your ability.  So qualms. After Neeraj gave some useful batting practice, we were onto the ground for the sharp start of the game at 1.30pm with Anil from Lions and another one from MCC being the neural umpire.  This is the first time we are having two neutral umpires at Regal,  which has expanded handsomely this year with the addition of two teams in Super Kings and Bangla Gladiators.  

With the gloomy and frigid weather, started the proceedings with Ravi.   It was very important that we start well as a team and it is all the more important to make the batsman play with the new ball.  Unfortunately, Ravi could not get his line right and the first over went for 10 runs with 6 wides.  Cant' blame him since we have never played in this ground and it is not easy to bowl in such wet and chilly condition. But the fact of the matter is that since the batsman could easily relax given that 10 runs were already scored in the first over and that the bowler is tensed, batsman inherently gets the confidence.

Venkat - Stylish 27 runs

Jayanth bowled in expected lines from the other end, keeping a tight line and length.   Ravi did far better in the second over and it was so great to see someone adjusting so quickly.    Venkat Chanjeevaram, who is a very stylish batsman as well as one of my best friends,  flourished in a wonderful opening partnership that lasted until the 7th over when the first wicket fell when the score was 51.  Venkat played beautifully and what I like about his batting is that he tries to play straight and infact there was a stand out straight drive for four which was hit with minimal fuss.    Venkat is one of the most vocal  person who supported the dreams of Super Kings becoming a new team this year. He also provided us with pads, stumps, gloves etc., to start our practice sessions.  It was all the more gratifying to see a very close and near friend play well against us.  Venkat scored a neat 27 runs before he was well caught by 'yours truly' at mid-off.  It was a well hit shot and someone I managed to cling on although I was left with a clotted left hand.  Venkat played like how a good opening batsman should play, presenting the full face of the bat and running well between the wickets.  Other opener Vinodh also played well to score 14 runs. 

Jeevan - Man of the Match

Jeevan who came in for Ravi after four overs, had two wickets in two balls in his second over, both LBWs.   Sumit, coming one down was LBW first ball.  Poor guy! Sumit and myself started in this league towards the end of the 2009 season, initially playing for the then Cherokee and then Apache which then became Knights.  I have a very special bond with him while I was his captain, making him bowl his full quota in every match since I strongly believe he is a very effective  spin bowler for the middle overs. Unfortunately, like many batsman, he tends to play across at the start of the innings and for Jeevan who has the knack of being at the stumps, it was easy picking.   Jeevan had a wonderful spell of bowling indeed (two LBWs, one bowled and one caught at mid-off)  His figures were 4 - 0 - 21 - 4.  Tremendous bowling indeed and just goes to show how effective one can be if he can stick to line and length, making the batsman play.  Although I thought of taking him off after three overs, given that he was bowling so well, let him bowl his full quota of overs.  A captain's dream bowler who makes things happen. Nice job Jeevan.

Khawar - Professional 41 n.o

Khawar,  coming in at 2 down, stayed through the innings to score  a very polished 41.   He was as usual, very methodical, milking the runs.  He is one of the mainstay of our league and another great friend of mind.  Not once was he fussed and played ever so coolly taping the ball here and there.  The calm and serene manner with which he accumulated the runs was there for everyone to see.   Although he was dropped a few times (off the bowling of poor Jayanth), he just kept going calmly. Even when we were bowling well in the middle overs onto the stumps, he just waited for the ball and tapped at the last minute and scampered around for singles and twos.   In a 20 overs game,, the manthra is to make run a ball.  Just tap in a gap and run.  With the occasional extras from the bowler, such no fuss approach can easily get to 7 runs per overs.  Nice batting buddy.   An object lesson on building the innings and ensuring that the run rate is kept at around 7 throughout the innings.   Hopefully our batsman will take this lesson to our games.  Just play straight at the start of the innings and then start taking singles and twos before trying anything extravagant.  So long as we keep wickets, we can always accelerate at the end to put in a good score.

Coming to Arvind Iyengar, although he made only 7 before being LBW, he is one of my very special player.  When I was the captain of Knights, I used to call him as "Bhisma" one of the most loyal character you will see   Just like the great Bhisma, Arvind Iyengar used to handle everything in the field, nonchalantly stopping great shots with his chest, taking impossible catches, taking wickets  and knocking the ball around the park. He is absolute embodiment of confidence all around, making my job so much easier.  Although he was playing good second fiddle to Khawar, he perished while attempting a flick.  I was a little disappointed to see him get out since he was quite well forward.  Of course umpire is the best judge and I belong to the old school of thought where umpire is the ultimate and one should abide by his decisions.

Arvind Singh, Knights captain, gave good company to Khawar, making a polished 19 before being bowled by the brilliant Jayanth.  Arvind Singh is one who always makes it to practice and really uses those sessions to the fullest advantage by experimenting various options.   It is always good to see practice being rewarded.   Hard work always pays indeed.

Jayanth bowled a fantastic last over, giving away just three runs despite the opposition only being five wickets down.  He bowled such a nice yorker length balls and was so hard to get away.  It was good to see him get two batsman out (bowled and LBW) by  bowling that tight and fuller length. Am glad to have a tremendous opening and death end bowler in him.  It is great bowling by Jayanth who is becoming very much in the mold of Arvind Iyengar, by being so dependable and making this happen.  He did bowl a couple of above the waist no-balls while attempting yorkers.  Unfortunately that costs the team since we have the "free hit' for every no-ball.  Hopefully he will cut it down in the next game.  Nice spell Jayanth 4 - 0 - 24 -2

Jeffrey also bowled very well for good figures of 4 - 0 - 28- 0.  He gave away only 8 runs in his first spell of  two overs.  Just to evaluate how he will do from the other end, asked him to bowl one over from the other end. Unfortunately this over resulted in 13 runs, inclusive of a boundary.  No issues.   It is very important that we get to measure the suitable end for each bowler since almost all our games will be played in this ground.  Overall, yet another good bowling performance by Jeff as well where he maintained good line and length. With his abilities, I consider him not only as a stock bowler but also as a strike bowler.  Once we have warmer weather, he will be such a vital asset in our bowling strength.

Subbu, Krishna and Jeevan

One guy who lost out in the game was poor Krishna, who had a not so good day. To start with, he missed two catches at square leg, both of when were hit high.   With good practice and even ground, should have been straight forward.  But that part of the ground is tricky with a great slope, making it all the more harder to judge the ball with uneven elevation.    Further, we had a wet ball which was so heavy.   Again, with a bit of catching practice and better understanding of the ground, he will take these catches with absolute certainty.  He is a great trier and really motivated to perform well.  His one over spell also went for  14 runs, inclusive of a six over fine leg by Khawar of a full toss.  Poor guy! He was trying hard and just could not hold the ball with wetness all round and it is certainly not easy for a spinner to bowl in this frigid weather with rain all around.  I took him off after only one over since I did not want  my spinner lose confidence. I firmly believe that spinners are a key aspect of T20 and once he begins to bowl slower and fuller in the coming games, he will be a big asset to the game. Just to ensure that he does not feel too bad, had a snap with this motivated buddy and the man of the match

Apart from those dropped catches, there were also catches dropped at long-off and deep mid-wicket.  But these are expected since all these folks are playing their game after many, many years.  Add the fact that we have had very limited fielding practice with a totally new ground which is so uneven with a small matter of wetness all around with frigid temperature making the ball drop onto your hand like a rock.  I don't want any of these guys to feel bad at all.  It's just that this is our first game and it is better to have these deficiencies understood at the start of the season rather than later when the game are so much critical.

Since Krishna bowled only one over, I bowled three overs and tried to be as tight as possible without experimenting anything.  One of the reason that I could bowl better was because these white balls do not swing as much as the red balls.   Despite that bowled a couple of wides. Still not bad to give 22 runs in 3 overs.

Special compliments to Abhijit who is probably keeping in a match for the first time with cricket balls rather than tennis balls. He moved easily around and was stopping the balls nicely.  Although he could have stopped a couple of wides, it is a high ask for someone keeping after a while.  Good work Abhijit.

Looking at the score card, there were 33 runs in extra. I could count 22 wides and two no balls.  Bulk of these wides happened in the first few overs.   We have to be tight with wides and am sure that with more practice and rhythm, we will cut down on wides.  Not only do they result in extra runs, they also make the batsman all the more confidence. Plus the extra ball that needs to be bowled. If we take away those 33 extra runs,  Knights scored only 115 runs.  Not a bad bowling performance at all on a rainy day on an unknown ground by a bunch of folks playing their first Regal game.   Hats off boys.

Special mention about Neeraj.  He was braving a very bad sickness over the last week or so and stayed through in rain to help us out.  Our team is fortunate to have someone who is been in the thick of things of the Regal league.  He himself had formed teams in the league before and I think that Warriors was started by him.   He is not only a great team man but also a wonderful batsman as we will see in the upcoming games 

Knights made 148 for 5 in 20 overs.

----  Super Kings batting -- ------------

We were bowling the last 6 to 8 overs with increasing rain and it was still drizzling steadily as we were preparing to bat.  Umpires gave us the option to abandon the match but I was insistent that us having bowled through the same steady rain should get to have some batting as well.  Although we could have split points,  we only had to make 74 runs in 10 overs with all wickets in hand if the game were to be washed away after 10 overs.   I know that it could backfire also.  But the point is that we are here in the Regal league to play games and not just to get points.  So, I insisted that the batsman go and make an assessment after two to three hours. Sunil and Sagar opened the batting and played reasonably well to take the score to 10 for no loss in two overs when we had to call off the play.  Only while driving back home, realized how much rain had fallen seeing the roads water logged right next to the ground.   

Summary:

Good bowling performance.  As we saw from the ground conditions, uneven outfield with balls easily rolling across once they are hit uppishly, 150+ score is easy on this ground.  Like Khawar and Venkat demonstrated, batsman just need to bat sensibly.     Running between the wickets is a key element and am sure that our batters will do well. 

Of course we dropped quite a few catches. But they are totally understandable.  It is not easy to field on a frigid day with incessant rain.  All of us were playing as a team for the first time on a ground where we have never played before.  Once we understand better, am sure that we will take the catches.  

Although am not worried about the catching aspect, ground fielding can improve a lot. Batsman were able to scamper through for lots of ones and two.  With fielders anticipating a lot better, these extra runs should be reduced.   Although I could have tried to get the fielders get a little closer to stop the singles. having no measure about the capability of the fielders to anticipate, had to have them little deeper.   Again, we are defining the fielding positions for each one of us and am sure once guys know where they will field, they will improve upon their anticipation 

Every run counts.  A run saved is a run scored and I trust each one of our members to realize this and make every effort to anticipate balls coming and save runs. Probably we could have saved to 5 to 10 runs today itself but again who cares on our first game with such a bad weather and unknown ground. 

Special mention about Shiv and Moiz.  Shiv stayed from the morning (neutral umpire for the morning game), braving such a chilly weather and really stands out as a great team man.   Such players are vital for not only the success of the team but also for comradeship we can develop because of this great game of cricket. Thanks Shiv.   Moiz could not bat although he fielded right through manfully patrolling the cover region.  He will get his changes soon and am sure to see him do well.

Lots of positives from a great start to Super Kings.  Am so proud of my beloved Super Kings who gave an excellent performance n their first outing.  Mighty proud first game for the Super Kings.

Go Super Kings

Knights - 148 for 5 in 20 overs

Batman	How out	Bolwler	Runs	Balls faced	Strike rate
Vinodh	LBW	Jeevan	14	14	100
Venkat C	C. Subbu	Jeevan	27	32	84
Sumit	LBW	Jeevan	0	1	0
Khawar	Not out		41	36	114
Wajahat	Bowled	Jeevan	7	6	117
Arvind Iyengar	LBW	Jayanth	6	10	60
Arvind Singh	Bowled	Jayanth	19	16	119
Musfafa	Not out		1	2	50
			115
	Knights	Total	148 for 5 in 20 overs
		Extras	33 (22 wides, 3 no balls)
Bowler	Analysis	Wides	No Balls	RPO
Ravi	4-0-39-0	11	-	9.8
Jayanth	4-0-24-2	1	3	6.0
Jeevan	4-0-21-4	1		5.3
Jeffrey	4-0-28-0	4		6.8
Krishna	1-0-14-0	1		14.0
Subbu	3-0-22-0	4		7.3