LLC 2023: In an exciting finale, Manipal Tigers defeat Gujarat Giants by 10 runs

Gujarat Giants, who were getting closer to winning, were unable to maintain their pressure in the last three overs, losing six wickets in nine runs, and Manipal Tigers, inspired by Harbhajan Singh, won by ten runs.

Monday night at JSCA International Stadium, the Gujarat Giants were held to 163/9 runs while chasing a target of 174 in the Legends League Cricket second league encounter.

Gujarat had won the toss and ordered the other team to bat first before. With 24 on the board, Rayad Emrit got the first blood in the shape of Chadwick Walton (17). Later, Hamilton Masakadza’s aggressiveness (37 runs from 18 balls) increased the tempo of the run rate, but it was unable to stop Rajat Bhatia, who was called in to bowl the seventh over and reduce the side to 66/2.

Rajat’s entrance was justified when he secured his second wicket, defeating Robin Uthappa (23) with a score of 83/3.

After that, Sarbjit Ladda came on board with Rajat to stop the run flow by bringing back Colin de Grandhomme (8), which brought the side down to 91/3. Kyle Coetzer was bowled out by Bhatia in his third over of the session (9). With the wicket of Amitoze (6), Trent Johnson, who was pricey in his first over, provided some consolation as half the squad collapsed at only 104.

The score was 145/7 when Thisara Perera (32 runs off 17 balls) was removed by Ishwar Choudhary, who continued to wreak havoc in his vicious form. Harbhajan Singh (3) became Trent Johnson’s second victim. In the allotted twenty overs, Manipal Tigers scored 173/8 runs thanks to undefeated players Imran Khan (16) and Praveen Kumar (7).

Trent Johnson (2/33) claimed two wickets, while Rajat (3/31) was the most preferred bowler.

Gujarat’s chase of the mark began intriguingly as openers Chris Gayle and Jacques Kallis quickly contributed 75 runs. In the seventh over, Imran took charge of the game and dismissed Chris Gayle, who had amassed 38 runs off of 24 balls.

Leading man Harbhajan Singh assumed control and reduced the opposition to 99/3 by taking two wickets in as many overs, Richard Levi (5) and Kevin O’Brien (9) respectively. Jacques Kallis and Parthiv Patel thereafter combined for 55 runs to limit the damage and get the team closer to home at 154.

The magic was worked by Parvinder Awana when he eliminated the inexperienced Chirag Khurana (2) and the easygoing Jacques Kallis (56). The 19th over saw Periera remove Trent Johnson and Parthiv Patel, which made things worse for the Giants.

The last nail in the coffin was driven by Awana, who wrapped up tail-enders Rayad Emrit and Sarbjit Laddha for the ducks to limit the Gujarat Giants at 163/9.

Harbhajan Singh (2/12) and Thisara Perera (2/6) both split two wickets, while Awana (4/19) claimed the lion’s share of four wickets.