JOIN USMaharaajas tame Panthers
Despite a 40-run association between their crack opening pair of J Arun Kumar and Shyam Ponnappa in five overs, the Panthers, put in, could manage only 122 for nine, which the Mysore side overhauled with an over and four wickets to spare. This was Maharaajas’ third win in five appearances while Panthers remain stuck on three wins.
Sailing along at one stage, Maharaajas almost did a Panthers, losing three wickets in no time towards the closing stages of their chase. However, the cool presence of Nitin Bhille (21 n.o. 22b, 2x4) ensured Maharaajas closed out the match without further drama.
Maharaajas were well served at the top by openers KB Pawan (31, 25b, 2x4) and Sudhir Rao 26 (30b, 3x4), who got Mysore off to their best start in five matches. The right-handed duo shared 51 runs in 49 balls before Rao was dismissed after S Vinodh brought up diving catch off Stalin Hoover at point, putting third umpire SM Yusuf in business.
Hoover then had Maharaajas skipper Chetan William caught at backward point for a duck to create some excitement in the Panthers’ camp. Man of the match Abrar Kazi (24, 19b, 2x4) then weaved two useful partnerships – 19 with Pawan and 31 with Bhille – as Maharaajas appeared to be cruising towards victory. Kazi’s run out at this juncture triggered a mini collapse, reducing them to 109 for six. But with SP Manjunath (12 off seven) showing some flamboyance, Maharaajas got past the victory mark without further damage.
Earlier, Panthers got off the blocks in style with skipper Arun (25, 18b, 3x4, 1x6) and Ponnappa (22, 23b, 1x4, 1x6) laying into the Maharaajas attack. Paceman William was struck over point for a maximum by Arun while Ponnappa upper-cut Aditya Sagar over the third-man fence as runs came thick and fast. The departure of Arun, who miscued wily left-arm spinner Kazi (2/12 in three overs) to be caught at mid-off, changed the complexion of the innings.
Batsman after batsman found novel ways of getting themselves out, sending Panthers into a tail-spin. Left-arm spinner C Raghavendra continued to be economical while Sagar and Tarun Muthanna scalped two each as Panthers lost their way and the match.