Match of the season - Vikings squeak past Infernos

 28th October - Infernos vs Vikings - Match Review by Pranav

Today was a game full of twists and turns-and an official game as well.

There was a large show of people, so the match would be 16 overs.

It started off with Pravir arriving after what seemed like an age.

The Infernos looked menacing, with both HK and Hari to boost the batting.

Vicky won the toss and decided to have a bat in the dry conditions out there.

Pranav would bowl the first over and Anand and Arjun would have to face him. Arjun immediately showed his intent, hitting the second ball away to the boundary. However,the young leggie struck back, getting Anand bowled with a fuller one. It was Bipin in to bat after some spicy knocks. Arjun and Bipin ticked along.

However,Arjun made a crucial mistake,and a wide ball from Satya would end up safely in Hari’s hands.What a wicket! The visible disappointment and frustration(on the ball) was clear from Arjun. Pranav would toss one up in the next over and Manoj would try to clear the fence with no success,being caught carefully by Kingsly. 

However, next was Vikram, famous for his….

Anyway, HK decided to take matters into his own hands.Vikram hit the ball out trying with all his might to clear the fence.Next was Pravir,who would soon see Bipin get caught as well. Pravir would take his time at the beginning. However,a classy lofted drive over the bowler’s head of Shitendra would signal a change of intent. He did play another similar shot well. However Satya saw a weakness which he exploited a good short ball pulled straight to deep midwicket-Kingsly. This brought the two dangerous runners to the crease.Vicky and Raghu. Raghu had been batting well and running especially well. He knocked the ball down to third and called for a quick run. Ahhan made  good ground and released brilliantly to get Vicky run out by a few inches. But,Ahaan was agonized by this as he was originally part of the Vikings. Arjun had strictly told him he would not come to a party if he played well.

However the new batsman Dhruv played and excellent knock, hitting a boundary of Shitendra. The hitman Mark smashed two monster sixes of Shitendra,who was having a really rough day. The score was 110 in 15 overs with 2 wickets to go. Pranav would have a pressured final over. He was smashed for 8 of 3 in his first 3 balls. However he made a good comeback getting 2 wickets and a dot to finish off. The target was 119 in 16 overs. 

It looked menacing but so did HK and Hari.

Kingsly and Ahaan would open the batting. On his day,nothing can stop Kingsly. Pravir was absolutely mauled in his first over-going for 17. However the cameo would not last long,as he was caught at short mid-off. Then the dangerous HK was in to bat. He casually knocked the first ball,before hitting the next one with enough power to go for a boundary. 

Then,in the biggest moment of the match,the legendary tree,which is infamous for it’s antics on the boundary line. It is so unfair that he/she is granted with such good height. Anyway,the ball hit the tree and Raghu took a patient catch calmly. A flurry of wickets then fell,and the Vikings were licking their lips in anticipation.

Then Satya and Hari came to the crease.The equation was around 70 from 7 overs.The ball striking was so unbelievable. Boom! Satya hit a six as flat as you’ll ever get. The calibre is just astounding. Under such pressure.T he Infernos now have an easy 17 from 18.

But Arjun shows everyone it’s never over till the last ball.He would get both Hari and Sathya to play unsensible shots,which resulted in two wickets.Game on.

It was Sharan and Shitendra to hit 15 of 12. Hitman Mark to bowl. Shitendra was clearly out for revenge as he played a casual lofted drive over the fence.However Mark would get him the very next ball. The Vikings have snatched this game right back. Tt was pranav to bat with 10 needed.However,Mark Rauf would nail Sharan with searing pace.9 from 7 with only Pranav left and HK his runner.

The question was,who was bowling the last one?Well,it didn’t matter,as HK called for a quick single which Pranav thought was not on.Vicky got it straight back to Mark who comfortably knocked off the bails to seal a 8 run victory.You could see the frustration and agony on the Infernos’ faces. How had they let this slip?As Arjun called it ”his favourite win”. But wow!What a wonderful game.

Just for confirmation- The Infernos lead the series 5-3 with the neutrals (there are none by the way) licking their lips in anticipation (WHEN DOES AIR HAVE LIPS?!NO NEUTRALS MAN!Jeez!) for similar matches.

 

This is Pranav Hari- Signing off now. Have a good one!

-Thanks to my editor Hari and Arjun uncle for the encouragement.