Bhilwara Kings capture Gujarat Giants through a united effort led by William Porterfield, Morne van Wyk and the evergreen and accurate Sreesanth

By K.R. Nayar in Cuttack 

Only a united effort can help capture a giant. Bhilwara Kings did just that in the ninth match of the SKY247.net League Legends Cricket at the Barabati Stadium on Tuesday in front a vociferous crowd. They conquered the Gujarat Giants by 57 runs despite Gujarat being giants not only in their name but also in the make-up of their team.

Stylish William Porterfield  scores freely  

It was not surprising that Bhilwara Kings produced a concerted effort because legendary players of the game carry with them the experience of having strategically conquered top teams in their playing career. Bhilwara took on Gujarat Giants that had Virender Sehwag and Chris Gayle, two giants who have scripted many a victories in the past through their sheer aggressive batting. Bilwara Kings skipper Irfan Pathan knew that the only hope of a victory was to get his teammates play their roles to perfection. Their effort only got tougher when Irfan Pathan lost the toss and was asked to bat first.

The large turn-out for the match

Bhilwara Kings’ opener William Porterfield, who has captained Ireland for years and created a huge impact against the giants of world cricket, rose to the challenge. He top scored for Bhilwara Kings cracking a fluent 64 off 33 balls with ten boundaries and two sixes. He got a good partner in South African Morne van Wyk who cracked 50 runs off 28 balls with four boundaries and four sixes. They did the groundwork of pulling down the Gujarat Giants through a 117 runs partnership in 9.4 overs.

Though left-arm spinner K.P. Appana provided the break through removing Porterfield and Graeme Swann ended Morne van Wyk’s innings two runs later, skipper Irfan Pathan maintained the run flow and hit 34 runs. Pathan and Jesal Karia (43) took the score to 174, After Pathan became a Ashok Dinda victim, in walked his brother Yusuf who took the score past the 200 run mark, At 210, Karia fell to Thisara Perera for 43. Yusuf Pathan (14n.o) and Rajesh Bishnoi (12n.o) took the score to 222 for 4. In fact, Bhilwara Kings innings ended in style with Rajesh Bishnoi hitting the last delivery from Thjsara Perera for a six over long on.

All eyes on Chris Gayle 

It was now Gujarat Giants turn to chase the giant score. All eyes were on Chris Gayle who opened with the consistent Kevin O’Brien. The first blow to the giants was in first ball of the second over from Edwards, who clean bowled O’Brien for 2.

Skipper Virender Sehwag walked in to a huge ovation from the crowd. Unfortunately he was not allowed to unleash his aggressive batting. At the score on 47, Sehwag got out caught and bowled by Jesal Karia for 27.

 

Virender Sehwag... short knock 

What followed was a fine display of bowling from S. Sreesanth, proving why he is still considered as one of the world’s finest bowlers. He got Lendl Simmons out for 1. Elton Chigumbura was clean bowled by Sreesanth for 2.

Bhilwara Kings skipper Irfan Pathan hands over the ball to S. Sreesanth who went on to break the middle-order 

When Jesal Karia also went on to take the prize wicket of Chris Gayle for 15, half the side was back in the dug-out. When Sreesanth continued his work of breaking the middle order by having Thisara Perera caught behind by wicketkeeper Morne van Wyk for 11, the capturing of the giants had begun. 

Such was the determination of Bhilwara Kings to win that the next three batsmen were clean bowled. Joginder Sharma got bowled by D. Salunkhe, Grame Swann got bowled by Monty Panesar and Yashpal Singh who fought a lone battle scoring 57 runs got bowled by Tino Best. Rayad Emrit who chipped in with 19 runs got trapped leg before by Fidel Edwards. The  nited effort from Bhilwara Kings thus ended in a 57 runs victory for their team.

Brief scores:
Bhilwara Kings bt Gujarat Giants by 57 runs.  Bhilwara Kings 222 for 4 in 20 overs (Morne van Wyk 50, William Porterfield 64, Irfan Pathan 34, Jesal Karia 43)  Gujarat Giants 165 in 19.4 overs (Virender Sehwag 27, Yashpal Singh 57. Jesal Karia 2 for 22, Fidel Edwards  2 for 29, Sreesanth 3 for 36)
Legend of the Match: William Porterfield