By Deepak Sharma
E-mail: spacewalker008@gmail.com
Jodhpur, India, 23-09-2024: A crucial innings by Chathuranga de Silva with the bat and a remarkable spell by Pawan Negi with the ball helped the Southern Superstars secure their first victory in the Legends League Cricket (LLC) 2024. They triumphed over the Gujarat Greats by 26 runs at the Barkatullah Khan Stadium in Jodhpur on Monday.
After losing the toss and being put in to bat, Parthiv Patel and Martin Guptill opened the innings for the Southern Superstars. The duo put on 29 for the first wicket before Parthiv Patel was dismissed for 4 off 9 balls. Guptill was then joined by Hamilton Masakadza in the middle. Guptill scored 22 from 27 balls, while Masakadza contributed a quick-fire 20 off 12 balls. Skipper Dinesh Karthik added 18 off 19 balls. However, it was Chathuranga de Silva’s unbeaten knock of 53* from 28 balls that proved pivotal, lifting Southern Superstars to a total of 144/9 in their allotted 20 overs.
For Gujarat Greats, Manan Sharma was the standout bowler, claiming an impressive 6/17 in 4 overs. Liam Plunkett and Seekkuge Prasanna chipped in with one wicket each.
Chasing 145 for victory, Gujarat Greats’ openers Morne van Wyk and Captain Shikhar Dhawan made a steady start. While van Wyk managed 15 off 19 balls, Dhawan played a captain’s knock of 52 off 48 balls. However, Gujarat’s middle-order struggled to make an impact. Manan Sharma contributed 10 off 4 balls, but Lendl Simmons (7), Mohammad Kaif (5), and impact player Yashpal Singh (5 off 12 balls) were dismissed cheaply. In the end, Gujarat Greats could only muster 118/9 in their 20 overs.
Pawan Negi was the pick of the bowlers for Southern Superstars, taking 3/13 in his 4 overs. Abdur Razzak also impressed with figures of 2/28 from 4 overs, while Chathuranga de Silva and Kedar Jadhav claimed one wicket apiece.