Kiran and Varun Power IISc to Massive Win

Whirlwind CC Vs IISc Gymkhana (Practice Match)

3rd August, IISc Gymkhana Ground, Bangalore: IISc registered a thumping 6 wicket victory over Whirlwind CC. Going into this game, there was some concern about IISc's ability to close out games as they struggled to chase down small targets in the previous two games. However, Kiran's return to form in this game ensured that all such talk was put to rest as IISc overcame a stiff target of 223 with more than 20 overs to spare. With the KSCA IV Division League 2014 around the corner these are ominous signs as the team seems to be peaking just at the right time.

Whirlwind won the toss and elected to bat first under slightly overcast conditions. Vishnu got Whirlwind off to a good start by cutting and driving both Varun and Ankit. Whirlwind lost Mitesh for 5 in the 10th over, LBW to a ball from Teju that cut in sharply off the pitch. But, Mohit and Vishnu continued to attack IISc's bowlers, bringing up the 50 in 11th over.  The introduction of spin from both ends saw instant results. Ankit & Alok delivered some quick killer blows to knock the wind out of the Whirlwind middle order, reducing them to 95 for 5 by the 20th over. Nachiketh and Lavneet then helped Whirlwind recover by stitching together a 59 run partnership for the 6th wicket in 15 overs. Lavneet in particular, was impressive, regularly using his feet and sweeping the spinners to ensure the score board kept ticking. Lavneet perished for 41 in the 41st over with the score at 178 for 7. The lower order continued to play their shots and managed to set IISc a competitive target of 223. Ankit was the pick of the bowlers with terrific figures of 10-2-37-3.

 IISc were off to a terrible start when they were quickly reduced to 26 for 2 by the 6th over. Both wickets fell to the lanky left arm medium pacer Vignesh. Vikram was the first to go, trapped in front for 4. Tikkas went for 2, nicking one behind. Kiran and Varun then stitched together a 112 run partnership for the 3rd wicket in just 14.4 overs. They both started cautiously ensuring that there was no further damage done by the pacers. Kiran shelved his natural attacking instincts and looked determined to get a big score. When spin was introduced in the 15th over,  the game was still in the balance with the score at 75 for 2. Whirlwind were only a wicket or two away from regaining control over the game. Both batsmen still had a lot of work to do and IISc was not out of the hole just as yet. But, Kiran then launched a brilliant counter attack to shift the pressure back on to the bowlers. He was particularly, severe on the young leggie Prithvi. He used his feet and swept him regularly to completely turn the tide in IISc's favour. Kushal wrested back some sense of control for the visitors by picking up two quick wickets. First inducing a false stroke from Kiran, ending his innings at 89, short of a well deserved hundred. He then had Teju trapped in front with a slider for 7. However, the Whirlwind bowlers could not exert any real pressure as they continued to bleed runs. Varun (84*) continued the onslaught on the Whirlwind spinners and ensured that the game was finished as early as the 30th over.

Brief Scores:

Whirlwind CC: 222 All Out in 48.2 overs

Vishnu  47*,  Lavneet 41, Bishnu 20*

Ankit 3/37, Teju 2/40, Alok 1/38

IISc Gymkhana: 223 for 4 in 29.5 overs

Kiran 89, Varun 84*

Vignesh 2/22, Kushal 2/42

Result: IISc Gymkhana Won by 6 Wickets

Man of the Match: Kiran KG