TROJAN CRICKET CLUB

FINALS - CROMWELL FALL 2013

Kolkata Knightriders were crowned champions of the Cromwell Premier League Fall 2013 in a closely contested finals agaisnt Lahore Badshahs.

KKR won the toss and elected to bat first. The rain before the game and persistent drizzle had made conditions difficult for the batting and Lahore opening bowlers came out firing to strangle KKR's batting and restrict them to 15/2 in 5 overs. Kamalpreet Kalsi and Rutvik Acharya then stabalized the innings and took score to 40 in 8 Overs when Rutvik got out to trying to accelerate the score. Against a dangerous batting unit of Lahore, KKR needed to score at least 120 to give themselves a chance and at this stage even a total of 100 looked difficult. Its at this stage , Kamalpreet Kalsi joined by KKR Skipper Sushil Premjani launched into Lahore bowling attack and led the KKR fightback. The Duo added 80 runs in 5 overs and with some good lower order contribution, KKR ended up posting 140 in 15 overs. Kamalpreet Kalsi (41 off 33) , Sushil Premjani (29 off 15) , Rutvik Acharya (23 off 18) were the top scorers for KKR . Pankaj Sikka (3-0-8-2) , Mohammed Sadiq (3-0-12-1) were the pick of Lahore bowlers.

Lahore came out to bat with a conservative approach and were trying to build a partnership but KKR bowlers stuck to their task and quickly got rid of their openers. Rashid Ramzan was looking dangerous before he got out caught behind to a low catch by the keeper off Anuj's bowling. Lahore's hopes were on Ibrar now but he too got out in the next over trying to flick to a one handed grab by keeper Sushil. KKR bowlers kept bowling immculate line and within no time Lahore were 8 down for 60 in 10 overs. Victory seemed formality for KKR at this stage but thanks to Kumail and Ali, Lahore were not to go down without a fight. Kumail and Ali launched a breathtaking counter attack and the duo scored 60 runs of 3 overs to bring Lahore back into the game. Lahore now needed 27 in 2 overs with Kumail and Ali still at the crease. KKR turned the ball over to the ever reliable Tarun Sandhu and after getting the experienced pro delivered when it mattered most getting Kumail out at a crucial stage. Lahore now needed 21 off the last over with Ali at crease. If Lahore were to win this, Ali was the man who had to do it , but Ali strangely decided to take a single off the 1st ball of the last over. With 20 needed off 5 balls, Sunil bowled 3 dot balls to seal the game and KKR pulled off a stunning victory.

Though the foundation of the win was laid by the KKR batting, Its actually the KKR bowlers who were detriminal in this win. Anuj was the unsung hero of bowling with his match winning spell of 4-22 of 3 overs and Tarun Sandhu getting 3 crucial wickets including the one of Sadiq and dangerous Kumail to finish with 3-21 of his 3 overs.

Though Kamalpreet Kalsi, Sushil Premjani were declared joint MVP finals, further review of scorecard and analysis makes it a 4 way tie and for first time we have 4 MVP finals with Anuj Patel , Tarun Sandhu , Sushil Premjni and Kamlpreet Kalsi winning the honors !

Congratulations to KKR for winning the championship and good fight by Lahore to make it an exciting Finale !