Match 6, Jodhpur, September 26, 2024, 07:00 PM

123/7(20.0ov)

Southern Super Stars beat Gujarat Greats by 8 wickets

Best Batsmen
R
B
4S
6S
SR
48
38
6
0
126.31
Best Bowler
O
R
W
Econ
3
24
2
8
Man of the Match
Hamilton Masakadza
Commentry
Right then, that's it from the coverage of this game. This also brings us to the end of the Jodhpur leg and now the teams will head to Surat for the next one. The action in the Legends League Cricket will continue on 27th September, Friday where Konark Suryas Odisha will be locking horns against Manipal Tigers in Match number 7 at the Lalabhai Contractor Stadium, Vesu, Surat. The first ball will be bowled at 7 pm IST (1.30 pm GMT). Although, you can join us early for the build-up. ADIOS!
Shreevats Goswami, the victorious skipper of Southern Super Stars is up for a chat. He says it was good to lead the side and he was a bit nervous at once. But also says he is delighted to make it three out of three wins and apprecitates everyone for chipping in collectively. Also says Hamilton Masakadza made his job pretty easier with the bat. Further adds, that they have a pretty balanced bowling unit and they all did well. Mentions that they had their core group intact before the tournament. Adds that they have a four day's break and they aim to continue with the momentum.
Hamilton Masakadza wins the Player of the Match award for his match-winning knock of 41 off 27 deliveries. He mentioned that he had played some club cricket before joining the team and was happy to contribute. The strategy was to keep the first six overs consistent, attacking the right deliveries. He added that while he batted lower down the order in the last game, he was pleased to be promoted up the order this time.
Shikhar Dhawan, the captain of Gujarat Greats feels that they were short by 20-25 runs and could have scored more. Also says that they leaked a lot of runs inside the powerplay. Tells it wasn't an easy wicket to bat on in the first half as the opposition spinners kept things tight. On being asked about heading to Surat, he is hopeful that the wicket would play good there. Ends by saying that he hopes and looks forward to getting some support from the home crowd.
... THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY ...
Earlier in the innings, Shikhar Dhawan stood out amidst Gujarat's struggles, playing confidently, but lack of partnerships hurt their innings. Asghar Afghan's late cameo helped them cross 100 runs. Southern Super Stars maintained their dominance, with opening bowlers Abdur Razzak and Hamid Hassan shining early on. The rest of the bowlers rode on this momentum and made sure to keep things tight with the ball.
Post the strategic break, the momentum briefly shifted when Hamilton Masakadza lost his wicket, but the Super Stars stayed composed. Negi, alongside the skipper, kept the scoreboard ticking with timely runs, ensuring the pressure never mounted. Their smart batting and steady approach saw the team eventually chase down the target, sealing an important victory on a challenging surface.
Chasing 124 on a sluggish wicket was always going to be tricky, but the Super Stars approached the target with confidence. Martin Guptill came out aggressively, looking to dominate from the start, but his stay at the crease was short-lived. Despite Guptill's early departure, Goswami held his ground, playing the anchor role, while Hamilton Masakadza unleashed a flurry of strokes around the park. Together, the duo built a 50-run partnership off just 30 balls, propelling the team to a strong position of 70/1 at the end of the Powerplay. It was Manan Sharma who struck early but no other bowler could apply the pressure then.
An emphatic win for Southern Super Stars. They make it three wins in three matches and remain unbeaten in this competiton. Gujarat Greats will be gutted with their effort with the new ball, as they could not really pose any threat.
In over# 15
6
1
0
Seekkuge Prasanna 17/0(2.3)
14.3
6
SIX! Couldn't be a better way to finish things off! Seekkuge Prasanna lands an overpitched delivery, outside off, Pawan Negi gets his dancing shoes on, goes down to the pitch of the ball and lifts it over the bowler's head and deposits it downtown for a biggie. Southern Super Stars win three games on the bounce and also double over their opponents convincingly. A fairly lopsided affair after a streak of matches that went down to the wire.
14.2
1
SCORES LEVEL! Flattens the trajectory does Seekkuge Prasanna, on a length at middle and leg, Shreevats Goswami paddles it away to deep backward square leg for a single.
14.1
.
Slow and full, around off, pushed back to the bowler on the front foot.
In over# 14
1
4
2wd
1
0
2
4
Liam Plunkett 20/0(2)
13.6
1
Length-delivery, around off, Shreevats Goswami slashes it to backward point and steals a single. A fumble in the field again there but Goswami wasn't aware of it and they stick to just one. Southern Super Stars now need just 2 to win.
13.5
4
FOUR! Relishing shot that! Liam Plunkett lands a friendly half-volley outside off, Shreevats Goswami clears his front leg and lofts it inside out over covers for a boundary.
13.5
2wd
TWO WIDES! Plunkett slips it down the leg side and it beats the wicket-keeper as well. Allows the batters to cross over.
13.4
1
Into the single figures now, is what the Southern Super Stars need to win! Speared in, full and slightly around off, this is guided away along the ground by Goswami to deep third for one. 9 runs required now off 38 deliveries.
13.3
.
Short and around leg, Goswami comes down the track and gets beaten on the pull shot.