Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Cricket and APL Part 1

My buddy Kiranraj Kamath a.k.a KK signed us up for a hard tennis ball cricket tournament called APL(Azro Premier League).  The tournament was supposed to be a one day affair, with 6 teams participating in a round robin format at Dee Park, Des Plaines. Our team was called the Lycans and the tournament was held on 20th May, 2012.


We played our first game against the Raging Bulls. We won the toss and elected to bat first in the 10 over game. We did not start off well, however, some great hitting by Rajesh and Alam took us to a competitive score of 92. Our innings was marked by some terrific, straight down the ground hitting, which resulted in some amazing sixes.


With a score of 92 on the board, we were the favorites and our body language reflected that, when we came on to field. Everything was going good for us until the end of Over 7. The Raging Bulls had scored 56 and required another 37 off 3 overs. With our bowlers bowling well, we considered ourselves the favorites however, we soon lost the tag as we leaked 20 off the 8th over.


Raging Bulls required 17 off the last 2 and it seemed as though the momentum was now shifting. 9 runs were scored off the penultimate over and it came down to 8 runs required off the last over. 


Rajesh bowled a very tight last over and the Raging Bulls could manage only singles off the first 5 deliveries. 3 runs to get off the last ball and once again we thought it was our game. The last ball was also good and the batsman only managed to hit a skier without any kind of distance. Our fielder was right under the ball but ended up grassing the catch. In the ensuing confusion, the batsmen ran two and the match ended in a tie! We could not believe what had just happened. We had ended right at the line and now it would be the Super over that would decide the outcome of the match.


KK won the toss again and inserted the Opposition in. Clement from the Raging Bulls hit 2 towering sixes and we had to score 15 to win the match. From our team, KK and Rajesh started the proceedings.


The first ball of the over was creamed through deep extra cover for a massive six.   At this point we were screaming our lungs out and jumping in joy amidst chants of KK! KK!. The second ball was smoked through long on for another huge six. Our dancing and shouting continued as just a shot separated us from victory. The 3rd ball was a dot and KK again went for it in the fourth but he top edged the delivery and the ball ended up going to the boundary. All of us ran to the pitch, lifted KK and celebrated as if we had won the IPL.  My life's first super over and what a fabulous start to the tournament! 

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