Rajajinagar proceed to final

20-21 October, 2012, IISc Gymkhana Ground, Bangalore:

[Match report coming soon]

Brief scores (semifinal; two-day match):
IISc Gymkhana - 103 all out in 35.1 overs 
(Kiran Gangadharan 27, Lalit Patnaik 30; 
Uttam Raj S 2-27, Raghuveer 6/41, Sachin Pande 2/16)
and 112/3 in 17 overs 
(Salil Kashyap 64, Kiran Gangadharan 29; S Kushal 2/14)
Rajajinagar Cricketers - 306 all out in 50.1 overs 
(Rohith Tiwari 53, Parikshith Narasimha 70, Sagar 90; 
Raviteja 5/79, Anirudh Roy 3/101)

Result: Match drawn; Rajajinagar cricketers go to final by virtue of first innings lead
Man of the match: Raghuveer

In the newspapers:

"Deccan Herald"

Upcoming Match: 20-21 October 2012

Semifinals - KSCA Group-I, IV-Division
IISc Gymkhana vs Rajajinagar Cricketers
Saturday-Sunday, 20-21 September 2012 (two-day match)
Venue: IAF Ground

Practice matches in October

Leading up to the semifinal of the KSCA Metro Shield 2012, team IISc played two practice matches in October. Here are the brief scores.

7th October, 2012, IISc Gymkhana Ground, Bangalore

Brief scores: (40 overs match)
Vikram CC - 213/6 in 40 overs
(Sujay 47, Deepak 31, Prasad 32, Ravi 23, Rakesh 28;
Nagaraju 8-0-28-2, Debajit 5-0-22-2)
IISc - 189 all out in 36.4 overs
(Raviteja 47, Nagaraju 31*;
Ganesh 8-3-21-2, Ravi 8.1-0-34-2, Sanjith 5.4-0-41-2)

Result: Vikram CC won by 24 runs
Man of the match: Sujay

14th October, 2012, IISc Gymkhana Ground, Bangalore

Brief scores: (45 overs match)
IISc - 248/9 in 45 overs
(Kiran 29, Raviteja 37, Varun 53, Pranesh 40, Syam 36*;

Nitesh 8-0-39-2, Varun 3-0-10-2)
Sparklers CC - 215 all out in 41.4 overs
(Aditya 66, Raghav 22, Raunak 50;
Roy 7-1-29-3, Vikas 1.4-0-9-2)

Result: IISc won by 33 runs
Man of the match: Varun Raturi

IISc clinch high-scorer, go to semis

Ashith produced yet another classic (93* off 66 balls) taking his 

tournament aggregate to 389 at an astronomical average of 129.67

30th September, 2012, IISc Gymkhana Ground, Bangalore: There was a lot at stake in the super league match of the KSCA Metro Shield 2012 played between IISc Gymkhana and Spartans Sports Club as it was to decide the fate of three teams in the tournament. And the match truly lived up to the billing producing a high intensity clash that had all the ingredients of a dramatic classic. 

Two superlative knocks from either side - Vinith Yadav's 120 off 98 balls and Ashith Shyam's 93* off 66 balls - set the stage on fire. The other batsmen from both sides played ideal foils to the protagonist at the other end. Bowlers from both sides were shred to pieces. Hardly anything separated the two sides barring the 'little things' that IISc did right, taking them to the semifinals of the tournament after a wait of sixteen years.

It was a wet morning with dark clouds all around threatening a washout. But once the rain stopped, the famed IISc ground soaked up all the puddles thus allowing a  three-and-half hours late start with the overs curtailed to 30. Expecting a slow and damp wicket, Ashith put the visitors in to bat. Vinith and Vishal (51 of 59 balls) started steadily reaching 73 in fifteen overs. But from then on, they upped the tempo several notches before Roy bowled the latter with the score at 140 in the 23rd over. 

Lakshman (40 off 24 balls) joined Vinith and both launched a brutal attack on the home bowlers plundering boundaries and scampering runs in all parts of the ground. Vinith hit as many as twelve boundaries and three sixes. Yet, all through the assault, the IISc fielders kept saving crucial runs here and there - something that proved decisive in the end. Kiran came up with gravity-defying attempts on some half-chances, Varun charged and swooped at the ball cutting down doubles. Nonetheless, Spartans SC slammed 145 runs in the last 15 overs and ended with a gargantuan 218/1 in 30 overs.

If any batting line-up in KSCA IV Division had the fire-power to scale such a herculean target, it had to be IISc's. The law of averages caught up with Kiran as he was dismissed for 13. But Salil was solid as ever pacing the chase expertly with a 44-ball 45. Arindam (15 off 8 balls) perished after a brief flicker bringing Ashith to the crease. And the captain produced the kind of innings under pressure that is the stuff of legends. 

His unbeaten knock - studded with eleven boundaries and a gorgeous six over extra cover - might have been seven runs short of a ton, but every single run was worth its weight in gold. This one should rate even above his 149 not out earlier in the tournament. He shared an 83-run partnership with Salil followed by a 58-run partnership with Vikram (28 off 20 balls) and finally, with eight balls to spare, knocked off the winning runs as Teja (8* off 7 balls) gave him company.

This victory sets up a semifinal clash between IISc Gymkhana and Rajajinagar Cricketers at the revered Chinnaswamy Stadium. It's a two-day match scheduled on 6-7 October. The winners will obviously make it to the final of the KSCA Metro Shield but will also get promoted to KSCA III Division next season.

[Update: Due to Karnataka bandh on 6th October, the semifinal match between IISc and Rajajinagar Cricketers has been rescheduled to 20-21 October at IAF Ground]

Brief scores: (30 overs match)
Spartans SC - 218/1 in 30 overs
(Vinith Yadav 120, Vishal Balal 51, Lakshman 40;
Roy 2-0-20-1)
IISc - 219/5 in 28.4 overs
(Salil 45, Ashith 93*, Vikram 28;
Suresh 6-0-35-2)

Result: IISc won by 5 wickets
Man of the match: Ashith Shyam

Upcoming Match: Sunday, 30 September 2012

IISc Gymkhana vs Spartans Sports Club
50-overs KSCA Group-I, IV-Division Super League Match
9:30AM, Sunday, 30 September 2012
Venue: IISc Gymkhana Ground

Congratulations Prof. Arindam!

The IISc Cricket Club takes great pleasure in congratulating our champion cricketer Prof. Arindam Ghosh on being awarded the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar prize for his exploits away from the cricket ground. Among this year's eleven awardees, three are from IISc. 

Newspaper Reports:
The Hindu
Business Line
Deccan Herald
Business Standard

While the majority of the media, quite rightly, focuses on his research work, here's an archived interview that reveals the sportsman behind the scientist.

IISc rout Vikram CC

Varun struck telling blows in his spell of 8-2-26-3

23rd September, IISc Gymkhana Ground, Bangalore: Team IISc moved one step closer to securing a semifinal berth by winning their second super league match on the trot in KSCA Metro Shield 2012. Vikram CC was shot out for a meagre 158 that was ruthlessly chased down with six wickets and close to eighteen overs still to go.

Batting first, Vikram CC started in extremely circumspect fashion. Varun had Satish caught behind in the fifth over. The very next over, Debajit trapped Benedict plumb in front for a duck. The IISc bowlers largely hunted in a pack as they kept chipping away on the wickets reducing Vikram CC to 31/5 in the thirteenth over. 

Manoj Thapa (31 off 64 balls) and Nikhil (33 off 42 balls) stabilized the innings with a 58 run sixth wicket partnership before Alok got the latter stumped. Towards the later stage of the innings Rohit contributed 39 runs off 37 balls while the rest of the batsmen perished. Varun ended with impressive figures of 8-2-26-3.

Chasing 159, IISc lost both openers cheaply and had to go through a tricky phase of nine overs before the lunch break. Skipper Ashith (57* off 70 balls) and debutant Satya Rungta (29 off 59 balls) shared a crucial 60-run third wicket partnership that put IISc back on track. Vikram (25 off 27 balls) played a typical cameo before holing out in the deep. Ashith finished off the chase with Varun (14* off 11 balls) at the other end. With this undefeated innings, Ashith has already slammed 296 runs in the tournament at a Bradmanesque average of 98.67.

Having already bettered their performances in the past sixteen years, team IISc is just one step away from the semifinals as they face Spartans Sports Club in their last super league match coming Sunday. 

Brief scores: (50 overs match)
Vikram CC - 158 all out in 41.1 overs
(Manoj Thapa 31, Nikhil 33, Rohith 39;
Varun 8-2-26-3, Alok 9-0-35-2)
IISc - 159/4 in 32.1 overs
(Ashith 57*, Satya 29, Vikram 25)

Result: IISc won by 6 wickets
Man of the match: Varun Raturi

In the newspapers:
"Deccan Herald"

BEL RC beaten

Kiran scored a run-a-ball 56, his fourth fifty

in this edition of the KSCA Metro Shield. 

16th September, IISc Gymkhana Ground, Bangalore: Continuing the pattern of the past two seasons, team IISc won their first match in the Super League stage of the KSCA Metro Shield this year as well. After Sirur Park Sports Club in 2010 and Young Challenging Cricketers in 2011, this time the victims were arch rivals BEL Colony Recreation Club.

After a lot of diligent practice in the nets, skipper Ashith finally managed to win a toss and put the visitors in to bat. Suresh Babu and captain Harsha started cautiously for BEL putting on 38 runs in eight overs before Vikram drew first blood sneaking through the latter's defence and rearranging his furniture. Vikram then had Beerappa caught by Kiran thus reducing BEL to 58/2 in the seventeenth over. Rajeeva (20 off 40 balls) came to the wicket with agressive intent and built a 52-run third wicket partnership with Suresh Babu (82 off 109 balls) who was batting solidly at the other end. 

Arindam broke the alliance castling Rajeeva as he attempeted a wild shot across the line. The BEL middle-order then collapsed spectacularly. In a matter of eleven overs - from the 31st to the 42nd over - they went from 110/2 to 152/8. Guru (31* off 31 balls) and Nagasimha (18 off 23 balls) played sensibly, albeit with some calculated risks, taking BEL beyond the 200-mark. Vikram's 7-0-14-2 and Arindam's 10-1-27-3 were the standout figures for IISc. The final total of 203 happens to be the highest any team has managed to score against IISc, until now, in the KSCA Metro Shield 2012.

Salil (17 off 21 balls) inaugurated the chase with a couple of boundaries in the very first over but perished in the sixth over with the score at 24. Kiran (56 off 56 balls) and Ashith (31 off 48 balls) played with minimum fuss while being easy on the eye as they put on 78 for the second wicket. Both were dismissed to bizarre runouts - the former was 'Mankaded' by Kishan while the later fell to a horrendous mix-up. Varun (21 off 61 balls) and Teja (36 off 46 balls) took over the unfinished job with aplomb and looked every bit like taking IISc home. But some late drama and hara-kiri ensured that the home team lost four more wickets with the finish-line a stone's throw away. Nonetheless, the target was duly achieved in the 47th over with three wickets to spare.

Brief scores: (50 overs match)

BEL RC - 203/9 in 50 overs

(Suresh Babu 82, Rajeeva 20, Guru 31*;

Debajit 10-0-48-1, Vikram 7-0-14-2, Arindam 10-1-27-3, Roy 7-0-35-1)

IISc - 207/7 in 46.3 overs

(Kiran 56, Ashith 31, Varun 21, Raviteja 36;

Ajay 5-1-26-1, Kishan 10-2-31-1, Nagasimha 6.3-1-21-2)

Result: IISc won by 3 wickets

Man of the match: Kiran Gangadharan

In the newspapers:

"Deccan Herald"

Upcoming Match: Sunday, 16 September 2012

IISc Gymkhana vs BEL Colony Recreation Club
50-overs KSCA Group-I, IV-Division Super League Match
9:30AM, Sunday, 16 September 2012
Venue: IISc Gymkhana Ground

Both the teams know each other very well because of the umpteen practice matches played between them. But to face up in a high pressure KSCA Super League match is a totally different ball game. Team IISc gets back to business after a hard fought league stage - where they mustered four wins in five matches - followed by an exhilarating team trek to Kudremukh peak.

IISc Cricket Team conquers Kudremukh peak (1892 m above MSL)

Rajajinagar crush IISc, top pool

25th August, IISc Gymkhana Ground, Bangalore: With both teams coming into the match having pocketed four straight wins each, this match was supposed to be the clash of the titans in the pool-C of the KSCA IV Division league 2012. But Rajajinagar Cricketers simply outplayed IISc Gymkhana in all three departments to win the match by a resounding six wicket margin thus topping the pool. However, both teams make it to the Super League stage which starts tentatively in mid-September.

Rajajinagar won the toss and again resorted to their familiar strategy of putting the opposition in. The initial overs produced some absorbing cricket that included some hits and misses interspersed with some classic strokes from Kiran (59 off 66 balls) and Ashith (14 off 21 balls). But Ashith fell in the eighth over to a freak dismissal when a Kiran straight drive flicked the bowlers fingers before hitting the stumps on the non-strikers end. That opened the proverbial flood gates as wickets fell in a pile including a couple of close calls that went against the home side. In all the previous matches, IISc's top four batsmen had been doing the job, with the lower-middle order batsmen hardly getting a hit in the middle. And when they did finally get the chance, they were found woefully short of the mark, barring the glistening exception of Raviteja, who was stranded on an unbeaten 47 coming off 59 deliveries.

The visitors were rocked early in their chase when Varun castled Bharath in the very first over with one that swung in. But Fahad (23 off 19 balls) and Mudassir (71 off 65 balls) kept attacking the IISc bowlers thus scoring at a fast clip. Fahad edged one to second slip in the tenth over to revive IISc's hope of a fight back. The third wicket alliance of Mudassir and Sagar (42 off 60 balls) however batted solidly almost taking Rajajinagar home but for a couple of late dismissals at the fag end of the innings. The only bright spot in IISc's bowling was Arindam's luckless spell of 10-0-39-0 where he beat the bat and induced edges on umpteen occasions yet went wicketless.

Brief scores: (50 overs match)

IISc - 157 all out in 35.5 overs

(Kiran 59, Raviteja 47*;

Sagar 7.5-0-27-3, Shree Kumar 7-0-20-2, Balaji 6-0-32-2)

Rajajinagar Cricketers - 158/4 in 29 overs

(Fahad 23, Mudassir 71, Sagar 42*)

Result: Rajajinagar Cricketers won by 6 wickets

Man of the match: Sagar

In the newspapers:
"Deccan Herald"

Upcoming Match: Saturday, 25 August 2012

IISc Gymkhana vs Rajajinagar Cricketers
50-overs KSCA Group-I, IV-Division League Match
9:30AM, Saturday, 25 August 2012
Venue: IISc Gymkhana Ground

Both the teams have already made it to the Super League stage of the ongoing KSCA Metro Shield 2012. They come into this match with identical records - played four, won four. A mouth-watering contest is on the cards. 

Ace Cricketers aced

Match Report in Hindi:

कर्णाटक स्टेट क्रिकेट संघ के अंतर्गत चल रहे मेट्रो शील्ड मुकाबले मे 19 अगस्त 2012 को खेले गए मैच मे भारतीय विज्ञान संस्थान (आइ आइ एस सी) जिमखाना ने एस क्रिकेटर्स के खिलाफ आठ विकेट से जीत हासिल कर लीग में दूसरे चरण के लिए अपनी जगह पक्की कर ली।इसी के साथ आइ आइ एस सी ने लीग मे अपना जीत का कारवां जारी रखा और लगातार चौथी जीत हासिल की।

आइ आइ एस सी जिमखाना क्रिकेट मैदान पर बादलो की लुक्का चुप्पी के बीच खेले गए इस मैच मे एस क्रिकेटर्स ने टॉस जीत कर पहले बल्लेबाज़ी करने का फैसला किया। एस क्रिकेटर्स के सलामी बल्लेबाज़ विपिन एवं नन्दीश के सामने आइ आइ एस सी के वरुण व देबजीत की गेंदबाजी कुछ ख़ास कमाल नहीं दिखा पाई और पहले 6 ओवर मे एस ने 39 रनो की अच्छी नीव तैयार कर ली। लेकिन सातवे ओवर से गेंदबाज़ी की कमान कप्तान आशित व मध्यम गति फिरकी गेंदबाज़ अरिंदम ने संभालने का निर्णय लिया। इस बदलाव से आइ आइ एस सी एस क्रिकेटर्स के तेज़ी से बढ़ते स्कोर को रोकने मे कामयाब रहा। एस क्रिकेटर्स ने 15.4 ओवर मे 67 रन के स्कोर पर अपना पहला विकेट कप्तान आशित की झोली मे डाल दिया। और यहीं से विकेट गिरने का कार्यक्रम चलता रहा जिस मे फिरकी गेंदबाज़ अनिरुद्ध ने 10 ओवर में केवल 30 रन दे कर 3 महत्वपूर्ण विकेट चटके और देबजीत ने शानदार वापसी कर 10 ओवर में 2 मैडेन ओवर के साथ 38 रन देकर 3 विकेट लिए। कप्तान आशित ने भी शानदार गेंदबाज़ी का प्रदर्शन कर 2 विकेट लिए। उनचासवे ओवर मे 190 रन के स्कोर पर एस क्रिकेटर्स ने आइ आइ एस सी की कठोर गेंदबाज़ी के सामने घुटने टेक दिए।

आइ आइ एस सी ने 191 रन के स्कोर का पीछा करते हुए 29.2 ओवर मे जीत हासिल की जिसमे सलिल ने धुँआदार बल्लेबाज़ी करते हुए 90 रन की नाबाद पारी खेली। दूसरे छोर पर किरण आक्रामक बल्लेबाज़ी करते हुए मात्र 41 गेंदो में 50 रन बनाकर आउट हो गए। अरिंदम बल्लेबाज़ी मे कुछ ख़ास करिश्मा नहीं दिखा पाए और 27 गेंदो मे 12 रन बनाकर अपना विकेट हवा मे उछाल कर पेविलियन  लौट गए। विक्रम ने 21 गेंदो मे 22 रन की नाबाद पारी खेली।

Salil's unbeaten run-a-ball 90 

was the cornerstone of IISc's chase

Match report in English:

19th August, IISc Gymkhana Ground, Bangalore: In keeping with their red hot form this season, IISc defeated Ace Cricketers by eight wickets in a league match and made it into the Super League stage of the KSCA Metro Shield for the third successive season. IISc thus extended their unbeaten streak to four in the KSCA IV division league.

In a match played amid the hide-and-seek of clouds at IISc Gymkhana ground, Ace Cricketers won the toss and elected to bat. Openers Vipin and Nandeesh looked at ease against the bowling of Varun and Debajit and set up a decent foundation with 39 runs in the first six overs. But the seventh over onward, skipper Ashith and medium fast spinner Arindam came into the attack and put the brakes on the scoring. The pressure tactics paid off in the sixteenth over when Ace lost their first wicket at 67. From there on, the visitors kept losing wickets at regular intervals, with Roy returning with impressive figures of 10-0-30-3. Debajit made a forceful came back for his second spell ending with figures of 10-2-38-3 while Ashith claimed two for 34. In the face of disciplined and incisive bowling from the hosts, the Ace innings folded in the 49th over for 190 runs.

IISc romped home within 30 overs courtesy Salil's unbeaten run-a-ball 90 and Kiran's quickfire 50 off 41 balls. Arindam wasn't as comfortable with the bat as he was with the ball scoring 12 off 27 balls before he was out to a miscued shot. Vikram scored 21 off 22 balls as he finished off the chase with Salil.

Brief scores: (50 overs match)
Ace Cricketers - 190/10 in 48.4 overs
(Vipin 29, Nandeesh 38, Mukund 29, Ajay 36;

Debajit 10-2-38-3, Ashith 9.4-1-34-2, Roy 10-0-30-3)
IISc - 191/2 in 29.2 overs
(Salil 90*, Kiran 50, Vikram 22*)

Result: IISc won by 8 wickets
Man of the match: Salil Kashyap

Upcoming Match: Sunday, 19 August 2012

IISc Gymkhana vs Ace Cricketers
50-overs KSCA Group-I, IV-Division League Match
9:30AM, Sunday, 19 August 2012
Venue: IISc Gymkhana Ground

With three wins in as many matches, team IISc has already made it to the Super League stage of the KSCA Metro Shield 2012. But to keep the winning habit going will definitely serve them well as they proceed deeper into the tournament.

IISc pip BMSCE, enter final

18th August, IIMB Ground, Bangalore: Playing their second match of the IIMB Invitational Tournament 2012, IISc pipped BMS College of Engineering by 28 runs to reach the final with a clean slate. 

A murderous 28-ball 62 by Kiran and late order charge by Syam (47 off 28 balls) propelled IISc to 180 in 20 overs. Kiran's early onslaught comprised five fours and six sixes. But IISc collapsed from 84/1 to 120/7 before Syam's counter-attack saved the day for IISc.

BMSCE were always behind the required rate in pursuit of the stiff target and never quite managed to give a scare to IISc. Srinath (35) and Pankaj (34) were the top-scorers for BMS.

Brief scores: (20 overs match)
IISc - 180 allout in 20 overs
(Kiran 62, Syam 47, Teja 2/26, Akshay 2/35, Pranav 3/30)
BMSCE - 152/7 in 20 overs
(Varun 4-0-14-2, Debajit 4-1-22-1, Vikram 4-0-44-2)

Result: IISc won by 28 runs
Man of the match: Kiran Gangadharan

Upcoming Match: Saturday, 18 August 2012

IISc Gymkhana vs BMS College of Engineering
20-overs Match
IIMB Invitational Tournament 2012
10:00AM, Saturday, 18 August 2012
Venue: IIM-Bangalore Ground

IISc get the better of IIMB

15th August, IIMB Ground, Bangalore: Kiran's quickfire fifty (63 of 38 balls) and contributions from Ashith (23 off 14), Raviteja (24 off 16) and Varun (30* off 14) helped IISc chase down a par target of 157 set by the home team in the first match of the IIMB Invitational Tournament 2012.

IIMB won the toss and elected to bat. Mihir (28) and Nikhil (60*) gave IIMB a steady start while the latter carried his bat through the innings to help the home team post a fighting total. But IISc scaled the target with ease.

Though the match was won, IISc's intensity on the field was not very good - something they'll will look to correct when they face BMSCE in their next match. To their credit,  IIMB fielded appreciably well in the lush outfield barring a couple of dropped catches that cost them dear.

Brief scores: (20 overs match)
IIMB - 156/4 in 20 overs
(Mihir 28, Nikhil 60*, Chandan 31)
IISc - 160/4 in 17.1 overs
(Kiran 63, Ashith 23, Raviteja 24, Varun 30*)

Result: IISc won by 6 wickets
Man of the match: Kiran Gangadharan

Upcoming Match: Wednesday, 15 August 2012

IISc Gymkhana vs IIM-Bangalore
20-overs Match

IIMB Invitational Tournament 2012
12:00PM, Wednesday, 15 August 2012
Venue: IIM-Bangalore Ground

The last encounter between the two teams, way back in 2010, resulted in a big victory for IISc. Will the red hot form of team IISc in the ongoing KSCA Metro Shield prove too much for IIMB? Wait and watch.

Indiranagar Terminated

Ashith accepts the applause from his team-mates after 

reaching his first century in KSCA league.

 Varun raises his bat as he walks back after scoring his maiden ton.

12th August, IISc Gymkhana Ground, Bangalore: Playing their third match of the KSCA Metro Shield 2012, team IISc ousted Indiranagar Cricketers to record yet another monstrous win. An unprecedented pair of tons in one innings - Ashith's marathon unbeaten 149 and Varun's blistering 125 - helped IISc post a staggering total of 386/3 in 50 overs. It's the highest ever in IISc cricket history. Tight bowling, some safe catching and couple of direct-hits served to collapse the hapless guests for a paltry total of 201 in 42.4 overs.

Indiranagar won the toss and put IISc to bat anticipating rain at noon. Salil as usual provided a rock solid start as he played his way on to an unflustered 52 off 54 balls. However, the flashy Kiran was bowled out early for 13 off 16 balls by an unplayable out-swinger from Nihal. Ashith (149 off 141 balls) came in at one down and had a busy 76-run partnership with Salil until the latter was trapped in front by the left-arm spinner, Vikram. This wicket ushered the brilliant Varun (125 off 89 balls) onto the crease. Soon, Ashith's superlative drives and Varun's unrelenting running between the wickets brought the bowling to the knees and took the fight out of the opposition. The duo put on a resplendent 222-run partnership that has set the bench mark in the annals of IISc cricket.

The butter-fingered Indiranagar fielders managed to drop as many as six catches before Bhagwan came to their rescue by taking Varun's catch at long-on. The cherry on the cake was provided by Vikram Chaturvedi, who blasted an unbeaten 23 off 8 balls to give IISc a strong finish. Indiranagar set off chasing the mammoth total in the only way possible, by going hard at each and every ball. However, Arindam drew first blood, when he made the opener Ramkrishna play in the air and Roy took a well judged catch at mid on. The loss of three quick wickets within a space of 35 runs left the guests reeling at 70/4 in the eleventh over. Opener Prabhu's 56 off 64 balls and Sudarshan's 61 off 80 balls were the only signs of resistance as Indiranagar put up a semblance of a fight. However, a combination of inspired bowling from the experienced Arindam and Debajit and a couple of run outs wiped out the guests for 201.

The gorgeous display of cricket in all three departments of the game in the previous three matches makes IISc Gymkhana the team to beat this season, barring complacency.

Brief scores: (50 overs match)
IISc - 386/3 in 50 overs
(Ashith Shyam 149*, Varun Raturi 125, Salil 52, Vikram Chaturvedi 23*; Nihal 8-0-66-2)
Indiranagar Cricketers - 201 allout in 42.4 overs
(Sudarshan 61, Prabhu Karthik 56, Amreesh Singh 28;
Debajit 6.4-0-26-2, Arindam 10-1-43-3, Kiran 7-1-31-2)

Result: IISc won by 185 runs
Man of the match: Ashith Shyam

In the newspapers:

"Deccan Herald" - URL, jpg

"The Hindu" - URL, jpg
"Times of India" - jpg

Upcoming Match: Sunday, 12 August 2012

IISc Gymkhana vs Indiranagar Cricketers
50-overs KSCA Group-I, IV-Division League Match
9:30AM, Sunday, 12 August 2012
IISc Gymkhana Ground

IISc go into this match with two wins in as many matches while Indiranagar have a win and a loss in their first two games. See scores and reports of previous matches between IISc and Indiranagar Cricketers here.

Roy poaches four as IISc hunt down Friends CC

Off-spinner Roy spun a web around the Friends CC 
batting returning with impressive figures of 10-1-42-4.

4th August, IISc Gymkhana Ground, Bangalore: IISc registered their second win in as many matches in the KSCA Metroshield 2012 IV Division league beating Friends Cricket Club (FCC) by five wickets. Put into bat under overcast conditions, the FCC openers found it hard to contend with the extra swing on offer as Debajit (6-1-24-1) and Varun (7-0-22-1) picked up from where they left off in the previous game. Ashok Kumar tried to cut loose by launching Debajit over square leg for a six but was soon snapped up at second slip by Ashith off the bowling of Varun. Debajit then had Pradeep caught driving to mid-off where Ashith took a fantastic diving catch launching himself forward taking it inches off the ground. Teja (5-0-15-0) and Vikram (5-0-17-0) produced some tight overs before the drinks break as the opposition crawled to 86 for the loss of two wickets at the halfway stage.

Manjunath tried to break the shackles by smacking a couple of boundaries, but with Srinivas unable to rotate the strike at the other end, FCC were struggling to lift the tempo. The introduction of spin triggered a batting collapse as Manjunath (31 off 56 balls) skied one to cover off Roy. Kiran (4-0-27-1) soon put Srinivas (28 off 86) out of his misery by gladly accepting a return catch (in the process picking up his maiden wicket in the league). Syed Ali (30 off 31 balls) briefly resisted picking up the odd boundary but soon perished as Roy spun a web around the FCC batting and brought it to its knees returning with impressive figures of 10-1-42-4. Jagadeesh (26 off 17 balls) smacked some lusty blows at the end trying to lend some respectability to the total but the damage was already done. Ashith (5.5-1-25-2) ensured there would be no rearguard action from the FCC batting as he cleaned up the lower order setting IISc a chase of 180.

Kiran (33 off 41 balls) and Salil (27 off 26 balls) went about the chase with minimum fuss stitching together yet another steady half-century partnership (57 off 57 balls). FCC hit back with two quick wickets sending both openers back to the hut with IISc still needing another 123 runs. Ashith (44 off 56 balls) and Varun (30 off 50 balls) eased the nerves in the IISc dressing room with a crucial third wicket partnership of 79 runs off 111 balls which brought IISc within touching distance. However, some reckless shot selection by IISc’s batsmen delayed the inevitable victory for them as they eclipsed the target in the 39^th over losing five wickets in the process. It was a big win nonetheless but IISc would agree that they lost a couple of wickets too many. IISc now face Indiranagar Cricketers on Sunday, a crucial game for both sides.

Brief scores: (50 overs match)

Friends CC - 179 allout in 42.5 overs 

(Srinivas 28, Manjunath 31, Syed Ali 30, Jagadeesh 26*;

Roy 10-1-42-4, Ashith 5.5-1-25-2)

IISc - 181/5 in 38.5 overs

(Salil 27, Kiran 33, Ashith 44, Varun 30;

Naveen 4.5-1-15-2)

Result: IISc won by 5 wickets

Man of the match: Aniruddha Datta-Roy

In the newspapers: 

"Deccan Herald" - URL, png

Emphatic start to league

Debajit turned in a sterling exhibition of swing bowling. 
His figures say it all: 10-2-27-3.

29th July, IISc Gymkhana Ground, Bangalore: Team IISc started off their KSCA Metro Shield 2012 campaign with an emphatic victory over Malleswaram United Cricket Club by a resounding eight wicket margin. IISc stamped their dominance in every department of the game hardly letting MUCC a foot in the door taking all of sixty overs to finish off the match.

Varun and Debajit opened the bowling for IISc troubling both the openers. Debajit's first over, in particular, set the tone for the match when he beat Rahul on all six balls moving it both ways. He finally put Rahul out of his misery by inducing a miscue that swirled over Ashith at mid-off before he pouched it running backwards. Soon Debajit also had Bharath caught behind sparking off an uncharacteristically animated celebration from the bowler. Varun (29 off 36 balls) and Suhas (32 off 53 balls) tried to steady the innings with a watchful partnership of 38 runs that was broken by Vikram's golden arm when he had Varun plumb in front. 

Rest of the batting collapsed like a pack of cards though Basavaraj (23) and Prashanth (14) showed brief resistance. IISc fielders were also right on the money saving crucial runs and effecting two runouts although there were also a few missed chances. MUCC - having scored 338/9 in their previous match - were bundled out for a meagre 147 in 40 overs.

Salil (50* off 49 balls) and Kiran (76 off 56 balls) gave IISc a dream start in a 124-run opening stand that completely wiped out any chances of a miracle for the visitors. Both batsmen stamped their class matching each other shot for shot - Salil struck eight boundaries while Kiran spanked fourteen to the fence. In the closing stages of the chase MUCC managed to claim a couple of consolation wickets. IISc cantered home with eight wickets and 30 overs to spare, their biggest win in a league match in recent history.

Brief scores: (50 overs match)
MUCC - 147 allout in 40 overs
(Varun Bharadwaj 29, Suhas 32, Basavaraj 23;
Varun Raturi 10-0-34-2, Debajit 10-2-27-3, Vikram 7-1-30-3)
IISc - 148/2 in 20 overs
(Salil 50, Kiran 76;
Gurudutt 4-0-28-1)

Result: IISc won by 8 wickets
Man of the match: Debajit Sarma

In the newspapers:
"Deccan Herald" - URL, jpg

"The Hindu" - URL, png
"Times of India" - jpg

Kiran special downs Vikram CC

8 July 2012, IISc Gymkhana Ground, Bangalore: IISc humbled Vikram CC by 100 runs in a practice match here spurred by a Kiran special (90 off 62 balls) knock. The hosts were bowled out for 305 in 47.5 with contributions from Arindam (23 off 30 balls), Varun (37 off 40 balls), Raviteja (47 off 48 balls) and Pranesh (25 off 41 balls) apart from Kiran's heriocs at the top of he order.

Needing 306, the visitors were dismissed for 205 with Raviteja, Arindam, Alok and Roy taking two wickets each. Sanjeeth's innings of 81 was the only saving grace for Vikram CC. Despite a large margin of victory, IISc's fielding was found wanting on several occasions - something that needs to be addressed soon with the KSCA league knocking on the door.

Brief scores: (50 overs match)
IISc – 305 allout in 47.5 overs
(Kiran 90, Arindam 23, Varun 37, Raviteja 47;
Deepak 5-0-39-3, Sanjeeth 8.5-0-39-2, Sujay 5-0-31-2)
Vikram CC – 205 allout in 44.1 overs
(Pandiyan 27, Sanjeeth 81;
Raviteja 5-0-29-2, Arindam 10-1-28-2, Alok 6-0-17-2, Roy 2.1-0-11-2)

Result: IISc won by 100 runs
Man of the match: Kiran Gangadharan

Previous matches against same opponents:

Vikram CC thrash IISc

Vikram CC, rain prevail over IISc

IISc post record total, thrash Vikram CC 

IISc starts off with a thumping victory
 

Anish and Nag flummox IISc

1 July 2012, IISc Gymkhana Ground, Bangalore: When IISc posted 270 runs on the board, they might have felt reasonably confident about defending it owing to the presence of all the senior bowlers in the team. But during the second half of the game, a combination of watchful batting in the beginning, a brutal attack on the spinners in the later stages assisted by some butter-fingered fielding by IISc made the job for the guest team a lot easier than it should have been.

Batting first, IISc suffered early loss of wickets and were down to 52/3 in twelve overs. Lalit (56 off 93 balls) continued his amazing form with the bat and went on to score yet another half-century in this season. The 101-run fourth wicket association between Lalit and Varun (55 off 56 balls) set the platform for the upcoming batsmen. Teja again played the finishers role to perfection with a flamboyant 61 off 49 balls. 

Sirur Park started cautiously but lost their first wicket at 21. Debajit, Varun and Sudheer bowled an accurate line and length to keep the run rate in check. But as soon as spin was brought into the attack, Anish (108 off 101 balls) and Nag (98 off 118 balls) unleashed themselves and the result was a flurry of boundaries comprising of some superlative drives and sweeps. Their alliance of 196 runs completely wrested the match from IISc’s grasp. With as many as five dropped catches, IISc could hardly expect to win the match.

Brief scores: (50 overs match)
IISc – 270/9 in 50 overs
(Lalit 56, Varun 55, Raviteja 61;
Vinod 9-0-62-3, Cyrus 10-1-45-2)
Sirur Park – 272/5 in 48.1 overs
(Nag 98, Anish 108, Cyrus 24;
Varun 8-2-45-1, Debajit 10-1-39-1, Alok 7-0-42-1, Raviteja 3-0-15-1)

Result: Sirur Park won by 5 wickets
Man of the match: Anish John

Last two matches against same opponents:

IISc beat Sirur Park in YSR opener 

IISc win Boxing Day bout

Mount Joy trump IISc again

24 June 2012, IISc Gymkhana Ground, Bangalore: Team IISc put up a spirited fight against guests Mount Joy CC in a friendly match, after a dismal display on the previous occasion. This match was notable for the disciplined bowling display on IISc's part as well as the batting exhibition of the swashbuckling Raviteja in the middle-order. However the combined factors of bleak fielding, a lifeless pitch and the lack of experienced players conspired against IISc and allowed Mount Joy to trump the match.

The match started an hour late because of the blatant indiscipline showcased by the senior players of Mount Joy CC. After winning the toss, Mount Joy chose to bat first. Varun ripped off the opener Eshwar with an excellent bouncy delivery. However, Mount Joy quickly recovered with Shekar top scoring (76), followed by Sharath (52) and Abhilash (26). At the end of 40 overs, they were asked to relinquish their session (owing to the late start), having scored 223/6. Notable among the bowlers was the left-arm spinner, Alok (10 overs, 41/3) who troubled even the set batsmen. Syam, Arindam and Varun maintained good economy rates of under 5.0 per over. Fielding and catching in the deep are perennial issues that have to be worked on, especially with the inclusion of the new troops in the team

Team IISc had a tough task ahead since the relatively modest total of 223 ballooned into a mammoth ask of 280 in 50 overs (run rate extrapolation). The pressure told as opener Pranesh got out early. However, Lalit (43 off 62 balls) and Varun (30 off 49 balls) built up a sensible 80-run partnership to lend a semblance of stability to the batting display. However, they got out in quick succession to leave IISc tottering at 86/3 in 20.4 overs. The highlight of the batting was Raviteja who made a fluent 63 runs off 76 balls. However, even he was helpless as the other end lacked an anchoring innings. Team IISc crawled to a meagre 215 off 49.1 overs having lost all their wickets.

Brief scores: (50 overs match)

Mount Joy – 223/6 in 40 overs
(Shekar 76, Abhilash 26, Sharath 52;
Varun 6-0-25-1, Syam 7-0-37-0, Alok 10-0-41-3)
IISc – 215 all out in 49.1 overs
(Lalit 43, Varun 30, Raviteja 63;
Mohan 10-0-27-4, Abhilash 10-0-44-3)

Result: Mount Joy won by 64 runs

Man of the match: Shekar

IISc ascends to 3rd position in KSCA ranking

As per the latest ranking of IV division teams released by KSCA, the IISc cricket team is ranked three out of 48 teams. That is six spots above last year's ranking of nine. It's worth noting that in two seasons, team IISc as jumped a total of 21 spots in the ranking. The challenge now is to continue the good work this season as the KSCA IV division league commences from July 21. IISc is placed in pool-C which has the following teams:

1. Rajajinagar Cricketers (Rank-43)

2. Indiranagar Cricketers (Rank-38)

3. Malleswaram United Cricket Club (Rank-29)

4. Ace Cricketers (Rank-26)

5. Friends Cricket Club (Rank-14)

6. IISc Gymkhana (Rank-3)

Vikram CC thrash IISc

17 June 2012, IISc Gymkhana Ground, Bangalore: After a record run chase against Indiranagar Cricketers last week, team IISc suffered the largest margin of defeat ever. Vikram Cricket Club, two-time consecutive semi-finalist (2010 and 2011) in the KSCA IV division league, proved too much for team IISc.

Put into bat, Vikram CC lost their openers in quick succession. An acrobatic catch by Nagaraju and a cracker of a delivery from Teja put team IISc in the driver’s seat. Vikram CC, however, recovered with a sensible half-century partnership between Sanjeeth (90) and Pandey (32). The century-stand that followed between Venkatesh (100) and Sanjeeth led them to post a mammoth target of 334 and took the game away from team IISc.

Team IISc never stood a chance after losing the in-form batsman Kiran early in the innings. Lalit (30) and Pranesh (29) tried to build a partnership but the ever increasing run-rate led to a disastrous run-out of Pranesh. Vikram (17) looked confident with a mighty six over mid-wicket but was soon deceived by the offie Ravi (3/28). Lalit remained a spectator at one end while Pradeep (4/34) and Ravi ran through the middle and lower order. IISc was bundled out for a meager 144.

Brief scores: (50-overs match)

Vikram CC - 333/8 in 50 overs

(Venkatesh 100, Sanjeeth 90, Pandey 32, Teja 2/44, Pranesh 2/47)

IISc - 144 allout in 34 overs

(Lalit 30, Pranesh 29, Vikram 17, Pradeep 4/34, Ravi 3/28)

Result: Vikram CC won by 189 runs

Man of the Match: Sanjeeth (90 runs, 1/11, 2 catches)

Kiran's ton flattens Indiranagar

10 June 2012, IISc Gymkhana Ground, Bangalore:  Team IISc compiled the highest chase in the last five years (could be more!) hunting down 274 in a mere 41.2 overs riding on a turbo-charged innings of 123 of 89 balls from Kiran Gangadharan - his fourth century in just over an year - studded with sixteen fours and two sixes.

Indiranagar Cricketers had every reason to think they had the match in their pocket when they posted a healthy 273/8 in 50 overs and got a wicket of the very first ball of the home team's innings. Pandey (65 of 84 balls) played the sheet anchor's role to perfection while forties from Karthik (42) and Guru (43*) helped Indiranagar reach an imposing total. Varun (2/62) and debutant Doney (2/34) shared the bowling spoils for IISc.

After Pranesh's wicket off the first ball, Kiran and Lalit stitched together a 62-run partnership before it was broken by an acrobatic catch by Rakesh at mid-on. The 167-run third-wicket association between Kiran and Varun (75 of 77) took the match completely away from the visitors in a perfect exhibition on how to chase a big total. The fact that the stiff target was scaled in the 42nd over speaks volumes of the dominance of the partnership. The only regret in the chase would be the fall of a few quick wickets towards the end with hardly a handful to get.

Brief scores: (50-overs match)
Indiranagar Cricketers - 273/8 in 50 overs
(Pandey 65, Karthik 42, Rakesh 24, Guru 43*, Varun 2/62, Doney 2/35)
IISc - 274/6 in 41.2 overs
(Kiran 123, Varun 75, Unni 3/14)

Result: IISc won by 4 wickets
Man of the Match: Kiran Gangadharan

Mount Joy CC beat IISc

3 June 2012, IISc Gymkhana Ground, Bangalore: Mount Joy Cricket Club comprising a mixture of players from 1st division to 4th division proved too much of an ask for team IISc as they posted a mammoth 310/7 in 50 overs and then dismissed IISc for 243 in 45.1 overs.

Meaty contributions from several batsmen, notably Shekhar (61) and Abhilash (65), helped Mount Joy reach a 300-plus total. Left-arm seamer Manish Mandloi, playing only his third match for IISc, bowled a stirring spell of 9-0-28-2.

As many as six IISc batsmen got into the twenties only to throw it away - a perfect lesson on how not to build a chase. Tail-ender Manish (26) ended up being the highest scorer in IISc's innings that folded up 67 runs short of the target. Mohan picked up a four-wicket haul for the visitors.

Brief scores: (50-overs match)
Mount Joy CC - 310/7 in 50 overs
(Praveen 27, Shekhar 61, Abhilash 65, Sharath 40, Suchin 39, Manish 2/28, Naga Raju 2/61)
IISc - 243 all out in 45.1 overs
(Lalit 24, Kiran 22, Mayank 23, Ashith 24, Rajat 20, Manish 26, Magnet 2/29, Suchin 3/43, Mohan 4/44, Madhu 2/19)

Result: Mount Joy CC won by 67 runs
Man of the Match: Abhilash

Kings drub Royals in intra-IISc match

27 May 2012, IISc Gymkhana Ground, Bangalore: With a growing pool of players, the IISc cricket club, after a really long time, had the luxury to have two teams playing leather-ball cricket. And so we had an intra-IISc match played between the IISc Kings XI led by Teja and the IISc Royals XI led by Lalit. Kiran Gangadharan scored a typically breezy half-century (53 off 34 balls) and then claimed a five-wicket haul (5/28) to single-handedly win the match for the Kings XI.

The Kings batted first and posted a par score of 198 as they were bundled out in 37.3 overs. Barring Kiran's innings and Pranesh's 29 there were hardly any meaningful contributions. Alok Pandey, coming back after an ACL surgery, bowled a mesmerizing spell of left-arm spin claiming four top-order wickets. His figures say it all - 8 overs, 2 maidens, 16 runs, 4 wickets.

The Royals messed up the chase completely and at one stage found themselves at 18/5. Varun (61 off 65 balls) and Arindam (22 off 19 balls) brought some respectability to the innings but in a losing cause. Teja's three-for and Kiran's five-for ultimately clinched the deal in favour of the Kings. Among the rookies, Vikas's spell of 5-0-14-1 was impressive.

Brief scores: (40-overs match)
IISc Kings XI - 198 all out in 37.3 overs
(Pranesh 29, Kiran 53, Mayank 2/34, Alok 4/16)
IISc Royals XI - 182 all out in 31.2 overs
(Varun 61, Teja 3/18, Kiran 5/28, Santhosh 2/41)

Result: IISc Kings XI won by 16 runs
Man of the Match: Kiran Gangadharan

IISc beat BEL in high-scorer

20 May 2012, IISc Gymkhana Ground, Bangalore: IISc's new crop of players put in a match-winning performance to pull-off a win in a high-scoring friendly match versus BEL Colony Recreation Club. Mayank Amble shone with bat (48 off 44) as well as ball (3/23) playing only his second match for IISc.

IISc lost an early wicket to find themselves at 10/1 in the third over. But the second wicket alliance of Pranesh (34 off 42) and Lalit (51 off 44) put on 91 runs in 12 overs to lay the foundation for a big total. Mayank and Varun (39 off 26) continued the good work thus ensuring a healthy total of 238/6 in the stipulated 35 overs.

Harsha's valiant innings of 93 off 86 balls was the highlight of the innings as BEL tried to make a fight out of the stiff chase. But little support from the other end, apart from Sharath (35), meant that the visitors finally fell eleven runs short of the target. 

Though there was marked improvement in batting and fielding over last match, the bowling is still a matter of concern for IISc. There were as many as 34 wides bowled by the IISc bowlers - that's an average of one wide every over! Definitely something to work on.

Brief scores: (35-overs match)

IISc - 238/6 in 35 overs

(Pranesh 34, Lalit 51, Mayank 48, Varun 39*, Vikram 3/34)

BEL Colony RC - 227/9 in 35 overs

(Sharath 35, Harsha 93, Rajiv 20, Mayank 3/23)

Result: IISc won by 11 runs

Man of the Match: Mayank Amble

New players get a feel of cricket

13 May 2012, IISc Gymkhana Ground, Bangalore: After the long off-season owing to the tennis-ball fever on campus, the IISc cricket team got back to business with the red cherry. Many of the experienced players were missing but the enthusiasm of the clutch of new-comers in the side is a good sign. Many of them had performed well in the inter-department tennis-ball cricket tournament thus earning a call-up to the institute team.

Team IISc fielded as many as seven debutants in the practice match versus RT Nagar Cricket Club which comprised a combination of KSCA IV Division and V Division players. Skipper Ashith won the toss and elected to bat. But lack of substantial partnerships hurt IISc as they were bowled out for 162 well under the stipulated 35 overs. If the top scores in an innings are in the twenties - Lalit (26) and Syam (20) - you certainly can't expect a big total.

RT Nagar CC easily chased down the target with more than five overs to spare. Saif (40) and Debjith (35*) top-scored for the visitors. The IISc fielders dropped four catches and were not too clinical with the ground fielding as well. They've got a lot to work on in the coming weeks. Going by the increasing numbers in the morning nets sessions and imminent arrival of coach Sreedhar from next week, team IISc is at least on the right track, though still far away from the goal of matching up to the consistent performances of last two seasons (60-70% win record in 2010 and 2011).

Brief scores: (35-overs match)
IISc - 162 all-out in 33.4 overs
(Lalit 26, Syam 20)
RT Nagar CC - 163/3 in 29.4 overs
(Mayur 26, Saif 40, Debjith 35*, Suhas 25)


Result: RT Nagar CC won by 7 wickets
Man of the Match: Saif