What's behind Gautam Gambhir's India Capitals sailing to the top and their victory over Manipal Tigers?

By K.R. Nayar in Cuttack

India Capitals’ players are currently playing top class cricket. The convincing manner in which they beat Manipal Tigers by seven wickets in the 10th game of the SKY247.net Legends League Cricket (LLC) on Thursday is an example of how they have been able to use their experience snd fitness to overcome their opponents and reach the knock out stage.

Hamilton Masakadza and Ross Taylor 

Zimbabwe’s Hamilton Masakadza top scored with an unbeaten 68 and his countryman Solomon Mire scored 28 while the New Zealand great, Ross Taylor, inspired everyone through a valuable 29 runs. It was no surprise that Masakadza played such a fine knock because he carries with him the experience of being the first player to record multiple 150 plus scores for Zimbabwe in a series. Not only that, he has captained Zimbabwe and became the fourth player to play 200 One Day internationals for Zimbabwe.

Solomon has also played in all formats for Zimbabwe. They were backed well by Ross Taylor who, when retiring in 2021, was New Zealand’s leading run getter in Test matches and One Day Internationals. Fans in Cuttack were excited to see Taylor in action on Thursday. 

Hamilton Masakadza

It wasn’t difficult for India Capitals to chase down a target of 162 that was carved out by the two enterprising Manipal Tigers players, Jesse Ryder and Mohammad Kaif.

Ryder who hit 79, looked like he was keen to exhibit all his skills, something he could not during his international cricket days due to personal issues. However, the man to win the hearts of the fans was once again Mohammad Kaif, who has been repeatedly producing his allround skills especially as a consistent batsman and outstanding fielder. His knock of 69 looked like he was good enough to represent India again. 

The destruction of Manipal Tigers’ batting was carried out by Liam Plunkett and Rajat Bhatia who shared two wickets each. As a result, their total was not strong enough to stop India Capitals. After skipper Gautam Gambhir, who scored 15, fell to CB Mpofu, Solomon took the score to 51. Once Solomon got dismissed for 28, it was Masakadza and Ross Taylor all the way.  

Taylor scored 29 before falling to Muttiah Muralitharan, but by the time the score had reached 137. Consistent Ashley Nurse hit an unbeaten 21, and together with Masakadza they steered the team to the target in 17.2 overs.

After the win in Cuttack, Gautam Gambhir's India Capitals is at the top position in the League standings with 7 points, while Harbhajan Singh led Tigers are at the bottom of the table with just 3 points. 

Talking about the reason behind their team’s triumph, Gambhir said, “We have the luxury of Solomon Mire and Masakadza. Rajat bowled brilliantly in the last over. Restricting them to 161, I thought we had control of the game at the halfway stage. I think T20 cricket is all about who bowls the tough overs. Liam is someone who bowls the tough overs and he has done that for us in the last three-four games. He is also very fit. We are fortunate to have guys who can contribute in all three departments.”

Does this mean India Capitals could dominate in the knock-out stage as well?

Brief scores:
India Capitals bt Manipal Tigers by 7 wkts. Manipal Tigers 161 for 5 in 20 overs (Jesse Ryder 79, Mohammad Kaif 67, Liam Plunkett 2 for 31, Rajat Bhatia 2 for 14) Indian Capitals 162 for 3 in 17.2 overs (Solomon Mire 28, Hamilton Masakadza 68n.o, Ross Tayler 29, Ashley Nurse 21n.o)
Legend of the Match: Hamilton Masakadza