By Deepak Sharma
E-mail: spacewalker008@gmail.com
Surat, India, 01-10-2024: After the first four matches of the second leg in Surat City were washed out during the Legends League Cricket 2024, the match between Southern Superstars and Manipal Tigers was finally played on 1st October 2024.
Powered by Martin Guptill’s explosive knock and clinical bowling performances, Southern Superstars maintained their unbeaten streak in Legends League Cricket 2024. They secured a convincing 42-run victory over Manipal Tigers at the Lalbhai Contractor Stadium in Surat on Tuesday.
After the game was reduced to 15 overs per side, Manipal Tigers won the toss and opted to bowl first. Southern Superstars opened with Martin Guptill and Shreevats Goswami, who put together a 41-run partnership for the first wicket before Goswami (18) fell to Rahul Shukla. Hamilton Masakadza (1) was dismissed cheaply, but Chathuranga de Silva (26 off 13 balls) and Chirag J. Gandhi (36 off 17 balls) stabilized the innings.
Guptill led the charge, smashing a blistering 68 off just 29 balls, while Elton Chigumbura added a valuable unbeaten 20* from 7 balls towards the end. Southern Superstars posted an imposing total of 194/7 in their 15 overs. Harbhajan Singh was the standout bowler for Manipal Tigers, picking up 3/19 in 2 overs. Anureet Singh (1/21), Obus Pienaar (1/30), Rahul Shukla (1/22), and Angelo Perera (1/25) also chipped in with wickets.
Chasing a challenging target of 195, Manipal Tigers struggled early on, collapsing to 23/3 within 2.2 overs. Robin Uthappa (17) showed some resistance but was soon dismissed by Abdur Razzak. Despite brief cameos from Asela Gunaratne (22 off 10 balls), Daniel Christian (36 off 14 balls), and Thisara Perera (37 off 15 balls), the Tigers couldn’t keep up with the required run rate. Lower-order contributions from Anureet Singh (10 off 8 balls) and Harbhajan Singh (11 off 9 balls) were not enough to turn the tide.
For Southern Superstars, Hamid Hassan was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3/20 in his 3 overs. Abdur Razzak (2/30), Monu Kumar Singh (2/44), Jesal Karia (1/29), and Pawan Negi (1 wicket) also played key roles in restricting the Tigers to 152/9, sealing a comfortable victory.