PCL Season 10 - Infernos make it a Three - peat

Cricket at Maidaan!!!!!

FINAL SHOWDOWN:

The Maidaan bore witness to an electrifying contest between the Infernos & the Vikings for the coveted title clash, with the series been level at 7-7. The clash is a momentous occasion not just for its rivalry, but also for its intensity.

Infernos maintained its status as the King of Maidaan cricket by claiming a record-extending third consecutive series title on Sunday, ending Viking’s dominant come-back run with a 24 runs victory in a high-scoring final on the back of a brilliant Infernos team effort.

Vikings boldly decided to field first, inspite of knowing that their batting was weakened by the absence for ever-reliable Harsha & Kings.

An individual innings does not become great in isolation. Unlike other sports in which players could go solo and score goals and points, cricket, especially batting, revolves around partnerships. A batsman can add runs to the team total only if he has someone at the other end, even a one-legged partner. THIS HAS BEEN THE MAIN DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE WINNING TEAM & THE LOSING TEAM.

The classical & magician Hari provided another quick start for the Infernos, hitting three fours and two sixes. It made up for Chaitanys’s tame dismissal for no runs. Hari and Aashish put on around 30+ runs , hitting a flurry of boundaries, mainly by Hari.

Pranav bowled his initial spell of two overs exceptionally well which included the dismissals of the in-form Inferno's batsmen, Chaitanya and Aashish.

With Kiran & the anchorman Samir at the crease, the score board started to move at a faster pace as Kiran clobbered Arjun for a towering six followed by couple of boundaries in the next over. Meanwhile Samir also hit a six keeping the momentum on towards a huge total.

Runs kept coming for the Infernos as all the batsmen to follow played a little quick cameos. Vikrams onslaught against Sathya, launching the cricket ball twice over the tennis court fence was amazing!!!

Subsequently, Raghu and captain Shitz took charge with some lusty shots.

Captain Shitz provided the finishing touches by thrashing Sathya for a couple of boundaries in the final over to set up a huge total to chase. The target for the Vikings was 135 in 15 overs.

There were glimpses of good bowling for the Vikings:

1. Pranav's initial spell.

2. HKs yorker to dismiss Hari...pure magic!!!!

3. One over from Arjun with hardly any runs given.

Vikings kicked off their run chase at a decent clip, inspite of losing their openers Pranav & CP cheaply.  Arjun and KG made a flying contribution in a whirlwind stand as they raced to 53/2 at the end of 5 overs while hunting down 136 in 15 overs.

Arjun was merciless on Ayush as he belted him for 2 sixes & 2 boundaries setting the stage for a gripping showdown. 

KG, in pursuit of quick runs, holed out to Raghu off Dhruv. But Arjun in devastating form sent the ball twice to the cleaners, forcing captain Shitz to bring on Vikram to bowl. 

Arjun failed to fire his guns this time and was eventually dismissed by Vikram. What a prize wicket!!!!!!

With the scoreboard flashing 65-4, the showman HK made his entry, hoping to turn the game on its head. 

No total’s ever safe; no boundary is ever too big, and no bowler is to be pardoned when HK is in the mood. He’s a proper monster with a bat.

Joining forces with middle-order batters,  it was HK’s turn to take the center stage, and he did so with sheer dominance, clobbering the ball to the boundary regularly & sometimes beyond the boundary majestically. HK’s explosive batting display was nothing short of remarkable, making the target look smaller & smaller & always achievable.

The Inferno bowlers under pressure put up a united front, led by Dhruv’s four-wicket haul. Vikram claimed 2 wickets, while Vicky & captain Shitz bowled economically putting pressure on HK.

Pressure makes the best of the best to succumb & here at maidaan was no exception. HK, losing out partners at the other end attempted to loft the ball over the long-off region off Shitz, but the connection was far from perfect, lacking the necessary power behind the shot. Kiran swiftly sprang into action & took the all important catch curtailing the Vikings run chase.

Sathya & Ahaan tried their best to move the score close to the target. Sathya, in particular hit a couple of sweetly timed boundaries but fell to the tricky Dhruv. 

Ultimately, the Vikings succumbed to a 24-run defeat.

Dhruv was the pick of the Infernos bowling attack claiming 4 wickets. Vikram was outstanding claiming 2 wickets. Shitz bowled an amazing line throughout. Vicky was good in his spell.

SERIES CHAMPS - INFERNOS