COLUMBUS CRICKET CLUB
CCC storms in the Midwest
2005 Semis, shatters Kentucky CC.
After having topped the league phase of the tournament, CCC was playing its first playoff game against Kentucky CC in the quarterfinals of the Midwest Cricket Tournament. Hammad Bokhari of Kentucky won the toss and to the surprise of everyone decided to field first.
He was almost able to justify this decision, when the scoreboard read CCC - 33/3 in 10 overs. With the CCC top order (Venky, Hari & Abhi) out cheaply, Kentucky was on the top – only until Ravindran walked in. He looked confident from ball one and started smacking the ball all around, playing his natural game. Manju was the next to go and was replaced by Bharat. And then the fun started!!! Both Ravindran and Bharat took it back to the Kentucky bowlers hitting them all around the beautiful OSU ground. CCC was gathering a hearty crowd support now and this pressure must have gotten to the Kentucky fielders who were dropping sitters that eventually cost them the game. Ravindran was unfortunate to get run out on 50 to a direct throw from Hammad Malik from extra covers. Ravindran was timing the ball extremely well by then and was looking good for many more. One would think this would have slowed down the run rate. But that was not to be!
Bharat clobbered the Kentucky bowlers, almost each and every one of them and went on to score a swashbuckling 132 runs in 66 balls. He remained unbeaten and had 9 sixers and 13 boundaries with Vinod Kosike & Sekhar giving him company during the last overs. He was a treat to watch and helped CCC reach a mammoth 250, which seemed unachievable. However, the game of Cricket is not over till the last ball is bowled, they say.
The in-form CCC seamers did not take it lightly and struck good line and length from the start. Sekhar was the pick of the lot striking crucial blows at regular intervals, sending back Amjad and Hammad Malik in his first 2 overs. Vinod took a sharp catch in gully off Vineel to get rid of Shezad after that. Hammad Bokhari was the next to go, caught by Vineel off Sekhar’s slower delivery. From there on, Kentucky seemed to be in an irrecoverable position although Aditya Mohite was hanging on to one side playing his shots and looking good. Vineel took a brilliant catch to get rid of him off Bharat’s bowling to end his knock of 31. It did not take long after that for Bharat and Abhi to clean up the Kentucky tail as they were bowled out for 92 runs. Abhi was on a Hat-trick after getting the ninth wicket, there was excitement all around. First Abhi deceives Shahid who comes forward but could only hit the ball uppishly towards short mid on. Next up is Swami who is completely puzzled by a dipping full toss and ends up hitting it meekly – both catches taken by Bharat, almost like an action replay. Abhi then tries a faster one, which goes for a wide – next ball is nervously pushed by the batsman to avoid the hat-trick. It was a stupendous 158-run victory for CCC, the biggest this season, and in a match that mattered a lot.
The man of the match was rightfully and deservedly awarded to Bharat Jataprolu for his timely captain’s knock, his own career best innings.
Abhijeet Deshpande
Wilson Fernando
Bharat Jataprolu
Ravi Mangipudi