After a crazy rainstorm on Saturday night, Sangam ground had turned into a mini swimming pool. Yet, the players went to bed with dreams of an epic cricket day on Sunday, and guess what? They were spot on! The blazing Sunday sun came to the rescue, and by 10:30 on Day 2, the games were back on track.
HS19, already in the semis, were chilling. The real showdown was between HS22 and HS23 to see who would get that coveted semifinal spot. The pressure is through the roof in Poll-B. HS20, who didn’t play a single match on Day 1, now has the Herculean task of playing two games – against PhD and HS21. PhD is already riding high on their big win against HS21. So, it’s crunch time for HS21 and HS20 to book their spots. Let the Panga begin!
Matches for the Day
HS20 Vs PhD
HS20 won the toss and decided to have a crack at batting first, which was a courageous call, given the results in the tournament so far. But they made the most of it. Naidu and Appu, their openers, were on fire, smacking some sweet shots over fine leg and midwicket, even against some of the top bowling guns in the tournament, like Akash, Navaneeth and Sanoop. but the defending champs are not an easy deal the bowling trio came back strong, while Navnneth is busy in saving runs Akash and Sanoop are busy in picking wickets it the middle, while it seemed that the start that HS20 momentum that HS20 got was stopped as they are only 80 after 9 overs but hold on for one more over, folks, because there came an epic twist in the tale! Appu Krishnan transformed into an absolute cricketing beast during the final over, and I’m talking Andre Russell levels of destruction. Boom! He sent five gigantic sixes soaring into the sky, and you could practically feel the ground shake with excitement. HS20 fans were going wild and racked up a jaw-dropping total of 112 runs – the highest score we’d seen in this year’s tournament up to that point!
When it was time for the chase, the HS cricket community at Sangam was on the edge of their seats. They had seen Shubam Uikey with the new ball, known for his natural athleticism and speed. Everyone wanted to see how quick and effective the Gangaur Express from Madhya Pradesh could bowl. And he did not disappoint a single soul in the arena as this dude ran in like Shoaib Akhtar from the Taramani gate end, and his bowling was a treat to watch. It wasn’t just about sheer pace; the way the ball moved was unreal. Sarthak, Ph.D. star opener, managed to get a few good hits off Shubam, but the Express got his revenge, sending Sarthak back to the pavilion in his very next over. When PhD captain Arjun stepped up to bat, you could feel the electricity in the air. He didn’t disappoint, smacking three big sixes in the third over and keeping the scoreboard ticking at warp speed.
Then came a game-changing moment. The umpire called Arjun ran out, and things got pretty intense. The decision could’ve gone either way, but the square-leg umpire, with all his wisdom and reason, stood firm, and you know the deal – umpire’s the word. This caused heated exchanges and drama on the field, with players from both sides taking their shots at each other.
As the action on the field continued, Akash, the deputy, was holding the fort for Ph.D., playing some classic shots over the bowler’s head, but he had to depart soon after the muscle man Appu Krishnan got back into the game; this time with the ball in his hand. HS20’s bowlers seized the opportunity, with new batsmen struggling a bit. When it finally came down to the wire, PhD needed 27 runs in the last two overs. Seems doable? Uh-huh. Vishal stepped up and bowled some killer yorkers, giving away just two runs in the penultimate over. The man was so dedicated that he was ready to dive into rainwater to save some extra runs!
The final over was a nail-biter, but Naincy kept her calm and delivered under pressure. It was one of the most intense games in the tournament so far. PhD might be upset about the loss, but you can bet the defending champs would love another shot at HS20 in the grand finale for some sweet revenge.
HS22 vs HS23
In this epic showdown between HS22 and HS23, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Both teams desperately wanted to earn that one golden ticket to the semifinals.
HS23 had won the toss and decided to put HS22 to the bat first. It was showtime as Akhil Rama, in true Surya Yadav style, unleashed a killer yorker for a six. The shot had it all – class and power, and if you don’t believe me, just check out the shattered window on the third floor of Godav!
But that was just a sneak peek because Akhil’s opening partner was about to turn up the heat. Captain Santhosh Satyala decided it was time to teach everyone a lesson on how to send the ball over the fence. Sixteen times! I kid you not; the HS22 boys tasked with retrieving those balls would’ve surely appreciated a well-placed Accio. The innings were so lightning quick that if you took a sip of juice at Zaitoon and blinked, you’d have missed it. By the time you’d come back and take a look at the pitch, there stood a centurion, and the crowd, regardless of their loyalties, was on their feet, giving a standing ovation to the champion. The storm raged until the 8th over when HS23’s Manjeeth finally managed to send Akhil and Santhosh packing, but not before they had racked up an astonishing 147 runs together. That partnership was like a throwback to the famous Gayle-Kohli partnership we’ve all seen in the IPL. In the end, HS22 posted a mammoth total of 165 runs; of this, 122 runs were smacked by Santhosh alone in just 30 balls. To put things in perspective, Santhosh’s 122 runs were far higher than any team’s overall innings total in the entire tournament!
So, HS23 found themselves in a tough spot, chasing a massive target, and they had no other option but to go for it. But things took a rough turn when Vipul got out in the very first over, thanks to Akhil’s dismissal. After Vipul’s departure, Priyasha and Siri wreaked havoc on the HS23 batting lineup. Although Rahul tried to ignite some fireworks in the middle, it was just too late to chase down a target of 165. As the innings came to the backend, Pranay took care of HS23’s lower-order batsmen and added a couple more wickets to his tally. It was a solid all-round performance by HS22, which secured their spot in the playoffs. Unfortunately, HS23 got knocked out of the competition. But you know what? They’re a resilient bunch, and I’m sure they’ll come back stronger, especially with emerging talents like Manjeet, Vipin, Virat, Rahul, and their captain, Himanshu. Keep an eye out for them next year!
HS20 vs HS21
So, forget those high-scoring games now because we were in for a low-scoring nail-biter today. And man, the tension was off the charts! HS21 was itching for a win after that heartbreaking loss to Ph.D. Meanwhile, PhDs were already in the semis thanks to their stellar net run rate, but HS20 had to keep their winning streak going if they wanted to join the party.
Now, let me spill the beans on some real juicy stuff. This match – it was personal. It has been personal between HS20 and HS21 since the dawn of time, well, at least since they faced off in that legendary frisbee match nearly two years back. Imagine immediate juniors taking on the seniors. But let me tell you, the history between these teams ain’t just some bedtime story. Whether they’re throwing frisbees or kicking footballs, when these two squads collide, it’s like a pressure cooker about to burst. And now, they’d carried their rivalry to the cricket field, a place both the teams hold dear. So, strap in, folks! This showdown is about to hit, and it’s gonna be wilder than a rollercoaster ride at the amusement park. Get ready for some serious cricketing drama!
HS21 roared into action like a fire-breathing dragon. Bats were belting boundaries, and the crowd was going wild. But then, bam! The mood went from fiesta to fiasco when Himanshu, the dynamo of form, was shown the exit. It was like slamming the brakes on a Ferrari. As wickets quickly fell and the run rate by this point matched a snail’s pace. Joseph’s test match batting audition played an instrumental part in this tragedy.
Out of the blue, HS20 unleashed their dynamic duo, Akku and Faiza, who transformed into spin bowling ninjas. They were like twin tornadoes tearing through the middle overs, making runs as rare as unicorn sightings. The pressure on the other end? It was so high it could pop balloons as Atharv, Yashwanth, and Naseema all walked out quickly.
HS21 was in a pickle until Rishi, Diwakar, and Joseph decided to launch a small rescue mission. They found their groove and managed to send a few deliveries to the boundary, scraping together 72 runs in 10 overs. Not exactly the usual grand fireworks from the HS21 arsenal.
Just when it appeared that HS21’s batting might cool down the red-hot rivalry, HS21 showcased their unyielding spirit. Atharv, the shape-shifter, turned into a spin sorcerer, and the results were more dazzling than a fireworks show. He waved his hand and sent dangerous Naidu packing, injecting a new life into the game.
In the very next over, Shubam, the HS20 Captain, was shown the exit door, and the ground was wide open for both teams to win. By the end of the third over the temperature in Sangam had increased by 11 degrees; thanks to the Gambhir-Kohli levels of aggression that both these sides were bringing on the field as players from both sides utilised every opportunity on the field to participate in a mouth wrestling match. Amidst the sizzle and smack talk, Appu showed the reason cool heads prevail longer in storms. But wickets kept tumbling at the other end, and in the 5th over, HS21 unleashed havoc, wiping out Vishal, Prem, and Naincy in the same over.
Every run was now worth its weight in gold, and the fielding side turned into acrobats led by Sapan and Rishi, with Aravind diving like an Olympic swimmer to save every run in the mini-Sangam swimming pool. Yashwanth, who had gloves stickier than honey, decided he’d try his hand at bowling and pulled off dangerous Appu’s wicket after a running catch by Atharv and a catch it was to make even the Spider-Man jealous! But not before Appu had already punched 35 runs off just 18 balls.
But the tale wasn’t over. Akku, the Spin Magician, pulled out a rabbit from his batting hat, launching the very first ball for a colossal six. It was the kind of moment that had fans leaping out of their seats. However, he made a quick exit.
But Shibly, the coolest refrigerator was still on the field, decided that he wouldn’t let his team go down, and became the glue in the lower order that held everything together. Then, Aaromal took centre stage, playing some classic shots. Although these shots were played in high pressure they still mirrored his fashion sense in every way.
And that’s how this cricket epic concluded – both sides leaving everything they had in the tank on the field. The heat, the aggression, the passion – it was like a bubbling cauldron of gumbo. Throughout the match both sides were in the ideology of One for Eleven and Eleven for One. In the end, HS20 emerged victorious, but both teams shared a handshake and a word of apology if they’d let the adrenaline get the best of them.
Cricket at its best, my friends!
Highlight of the Day
Santhosh’s batting prowess was not just a highlight of the day. Santhosh just pulled off an accomplishment that’s gonna be etched in the history books of the Prem Ranjan tournament as one of the most iconic knocks! This wasn’t just a knock; it was a fireworks display that’d make Brendon McCullum proud and the sheer brute force that would make even Vivian Richards nod in approval.
Just imagine! Of the 30 balls he faced, Santhosh sent a whopping 16 of them sailing into the stratosphere for sixes! And if that wasn’t jaw-dropping enough, he added 5 boundaries for extra flair. The whole innings was faster than lightning, and when the dust settled, the win had set the tournament on fire!
Watch out, folks, ’cause the knockout stage is where the real drama’s gonna unfold, and you better believe Santhosh is gonna be right there, ready to light up the stage once again. So bowlers, buckle up and run to some safe place, ’cause this tournament just got turbocharged thanks to the Six Machine!
Most Valuable Player
The Beast Incarnate.
If there’s one guy who can peacefully sleep at night after giving 22 opponents sleepless nights, it’s got to be the muscle man himself, Appu Krishnan! This dude left his mark all over the place throughout the day. In his first game, he was an absolute beast, smashing an unbeaten 71 off just 30 balls. But Appu didn’t stop there; he returned with the ball and sent the dangerous Rajat packing. And to top it off, he returned at the end of the match with his magic ball, dismissing Akash Yadav and crushing the PhD dreams.
But the Big Show wasn’t done yet; in the second game, the low scoring thriller, it is his batting that made the difference. He scored 35 off 18 balls in a nail-biting thriller. Appu Krishnan, you were the true villain of the day!
Report by Joseph Kumar
Edited by Garima Sane
Photos by Aravind M
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