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
