There was something in the air that day. One thriller followed another. While the first match was a manufactured heart stopping scenario (my fault, I know, I know), there was absolutely no doubt about the second. The semifinal was dreamlike and of epic proportions. Hundreds may have been hit, fifties may have been hit, but this match saw one of the greatest batting innings Sangam has seen for a long time, and probably forever. A nailbiter, a cliffhanger, a nerve shredder until the very end, this was a match which will go down as one of the best ever played in the tournament. I will go out on a limb here and say that in my opinion, it was the best ever match played in the tournament.
Batting first, the PhDs were expertly kept under a tight leash by HS15, who surpassed themselves with incredible bowling. The length could well have been described as uncomfortable, as it was a mix of short and good length balls outside off. On a pitch with variable bounce, the PhDs found these balls to be virtually unhittable, and failed to force the pace. They ended up on 70/6 off their twelve overs, with no notable scores. Pranthik top scored with a twenty, but the total was extremely inadequate for the pitch on hand. Wickets were shared out, but the impressive part was the economy. All of the frontliners went for below 7 RPO.
Chasing this total should have been a walk in the park, but it was anything but that. Ashwin was dismissed for the first time in the entire tournament and there the troubles began. One wicket led to another and then another and then another as the fragile batting line up collapsed in the face of some truly hostile and good bowling by the PhDs. Ranjith, Shahid and Ketan were virtually unplayable all day, going for 30 in their 7 overs together. Amidst the wreckage – stood a lone warrior – Vimal. Vimal was undismissable today. He didn’t play too fast, nor too slow, but he played with a steely resolve to see out the match for his team. Partners came and went without too much of a difference, but there were some important contributions… Bitthal, Ananthajith and Sumit all scrapped 5 each and stayed out there for some periods of time, allowing Vimal to play out the tougher bowlers and milk some runs. However, due to extremely parsimonious economy rates, there was no doubt that the target was moving beyond the reach of the HS15, until a miracle four hit by Sumit through the empty square region ensured a manageable 11 off the last over to win. Nishant, who had been in top form throughout the innings and had taken 3 wickets before now suddenly lost the plot. The first ball bowled to an ice cool Vimal was a full toss which was dispatched for four, and the crowd was in utter pandemonium. 6 of 5 needed now. Nishant went full once again and Vimal went down the ground! Had the fielder been at the ropes, he may have had a good chance with the catch but he was slightly in, and that was all the Vimal needed. The ball sailed over the long on fence for six, and the excitement hit a fever pitch! A dot ball later, Vimal completed a Dhoni-esque effort by driving down the ground for four more which resulted in a delirious pitch invasion! One of the greatest wins was sealed and all it needed was a calm headed chap! The adrenaline was still pulsating in me! The celebrations justifiably, went long and had into the night. There was no doubting the euphoria in the ground, as everyone except the PhDs had wanted the HS15 to win. This is what cricket is all about. There was clearly something in the air that day and wow, what a game. Congratulations to the HS15 and I dearly hope we have many more heartstopping thrillers in the years to follow!
Report by Y.N. Simha
Article 19 