The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Mumbai Champs gets the better of Kolkata Tigers

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Tuesday, Dec 11, 2007
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Mumbai Champs gets the better of Kolkata Tigers

Vijay Lokapally

Champs thrived on erratic bowling by Tigers
Lara’s involvement as a captain was total

PANCHKULA: Mumbai Champs had nothing to play for but pride. Even if too late in the tournament, Champs, after four defeats, won by seven runs, leaving Kolkata Tigers a dejected lot in the Indian Cricket League.

Mumbai Champs thrived on some erratic bowling by Kolkata Tigers to project a challenging target and the latter committed tactical mistakes and made a mess of the chase.

With the last set of matches to go, Tigers, Chennai Superstars, Delhi Jets, Chandigarh Lions and Hyderabad Heroes all remain in the race for the semifinals.

Tense finish

In a tense finish, with rain threatening to halt the match, Ranjeet Khirid denied Tigers 13 to win from the last over, much to the delight of his teammates.

Deep Dasgupta set the trend for Tigers with some sensible shots, hitting the ball clean and hard, leaving the Champs in a mess.

His 32 was pacy; so was Abhishek Jhunjhunwala’s 30 after Darren Maddy had made a quick 16 as an opener.

The in-form Craig McMillan smashed 29 off 18 balls and Rohan Gavaskar 28 off 18 too.

The Tigers maintained the chase with a flurry of shots and Brian Lara chose not to bat.

The spectators can yet look forward to an appearance from this legend in the classification matches for minor placings.

But Lara’s involvement as a captain was total.

He cheered his bowlers and repeatedly communicated with them, running from his position in the covers to give a tip or two.

Timely knock

Shreyas Khanolkar lifted the Mumbai Champs’ spirit with a timely knock of 64 that showcased his penchant to play a wide range of strokes.

It was an electrifying charge even if it came when his side had been eliminated from the race for a semifinal place.

Electing to bat, Champs prospered on the good work by the top half of the batting with the openers, Subhojit Paul and Vikram Solanki, striking some hefty blows.

Kolkata Tigers was rattled and the dismissal of Solanki (26) paved the way for Khanolkar to walk out and produce a scintillating show.

Paul, a former Bengal player, hit some delightful shots and compiled a 41-ball 50 with five fours and a six.

Khanolkar needed a mere 39 balls with seven fours and three sixes before he was run out in the 17th over.

His association with Paul was worth 106 runs for the second wicket.

The scores:

Mumbai Champs 187 for three in 20 overs (Shreyas Khanolkar 64, Subhojit Paul 50) beat Kolkata Tigers 180 for nine in 20 overs (Abhishek Jhunjhunwala 32, Deep dasgupta 31, Nathan Astle three for 26).

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