2022 Milwaukee Regal Semi Final - MCC United vs Warriors Punjab - What a game

24th September 2022 (Lincoln Park, Saturday AM) - Top placed MCC United wins the tie against fourth placed Warriors Punjab

Warriors Punjab - 147/9 in 20 overs (Sachin 30 (19), Prabh 29 (13),  Hemanth 29 (25), Arvind Singh 4/19 in 4 overs

MCC United - 147/8 in 20 overs (Kaman 49 (42), Sid 22 (30), Shaker  17 (5), Javed 21 (9),  Hemanth 3/18 in 4 overs

Tie over - MCC United 13/1 and Warrior Punjab 2/2

Trying my best to comprehend the loss of the most
beloved human, friend, brother one can hope to have

I have not been to the cricket ground since August 5th last year when I heard that my beloved friend with whom I used to play hours of gully cricket passed away suddenly  He was just 56 and was more than like a brother to me as we both went to the same school and used to play in our street corridors hour after hour, trying to perfect our straight drives and square cuts.  He was a wily leg spinner in the mold of Abdul Qadir and continued to be part of my family until that fateful day. 

It hurts and pains me that he won't be with me when I retire as we try to reminisce our good old days and life isn't fair that such a loving man should be taken away so suddenly.

What is so ironic is that in all my years in America, he only wrote to me only once and that too on the first day of 2021 (January 2021) where he wrote at length at everything about his family and ended it up with a comical note as follows

"I hope you have stopped playing cricket ( for the benefit of cricketers in your place ad for the game in general!). I did the same 2 years ago!!!"

Although he meant it as a joke, it hit me hard and that's the reason I stopped abruptly playing cricket which is so close to my heart and finally after an year, got the courage to step into the cricket field which is so much part of my life and will continue to be until I die. 

Coming to the game itself, could not have picked out a better day than today.  It was a gorgeous fall day in Milwaukee with temperature around 60 degrees F with cloud cover and when I first saw the ground after an year, I felt so elated to see such a picturesque ground, with lush green outfield and colorful fall trees with animated and excited spectators.

By the time I reached the ground, the fourth placed Warriors Punjab were tottering at 93/7 in 10 overs, Although the run rate was good, having lost seven wickets and playing aginst the top seed MCC United, I thought they may be lucky to cross 125. But, to the excitement of everyone to see a close game, they managed to make 147/9 in 20 overs, which I thought will be a winning score for the following reasons.

Severe cloud cover with so much of moisture in the air which makes it harder to hit,  outfield with overnight rain and early morning dew from fall weather was heavy and hence unless and until the batter can hit the long shots, it won't travel. 

Thus at the break time between this first semis between the top placed MCC United and fourth placed Warriors Punjab, I felt that the odds of Warriors Punjab was about 80% and with the odds becoming 100% if they knock out the top order early

Match summary YouTube video

https://youtu.be/WB8jCBzyYUU   

Warriors Punjab certainly had come up with enough home work and opened the bowling very well with Hemanth and Prabh bowling exceedingly well, giving nothing away with a tight off-stump line, bolwing just short of good length. By the power play end, MCC United were tottering at  38/5 in 6.2 overs.   Although MCC had the top batsman Sid at the crease with the steady Kamal in company, I thought it will be a tall order even though they had one of best finisher in the game, Shaker (captain) and Javed, an awesome all rounder in the hut.

Here were are. A partnership is needed and Sid, a natural attacking batsman need to restrain himself and this is precisely what he did as the played a very sedate innings of 22 in 30 balls before holing out in the 16th over (99/6).  After the game, even though he felt upset that he did not score faster, I told him that he played the ideal foil required for that stage as if he had got out early, Shaker bhai and Javed would not have come out hard swinging at every ball.

Champion teams soak up the pressure when the situation demands and that's precisely what Kamal and Sid did when it was so desperately needed on a knock-out game such as this. Lesser teams would have tried to get out of the situation by playing rash shots and thereby exposed their trepidation and got into enormous pressure, totally opening up the game for the opponents. I agree that having Shaker bhai to come next would have eased the nerves of this pair and no praise can be too high for this partnership which yielded 61 runs in exactly 10 overs (Note that the asking rate when they started the chase was 7.4 and hence not too far behind considering the wickets lost; such a smart play indeed). Of course there will be questions asked if their sedate approach cost the team at the end but again cricket is such a mind game and we all live to make our choicest decision just at that one ball that is thrown at you.  Having lost five wickets in 6 overs, what else can one do while chasing 148 on a make or mar game. May be I am little conservative. If I were the captain, I will certainly provide laurels for this partnership even if we had lost as this pair ensured that the no door is opened up for the opponents.

Up to that point, Warriors have bowled brilliantly and particularly liked the way the spinner, Suren,  bowled, bowling a flatter trajectory with set offside field. It was a brilliant piece of bowling and particularly loved one flighted delivery that Sid was waiting to pounce on but was bowled disguisingly slow that Sid completely missed. 

That's why we love this game, not just for the power hitting but for the finesse skills such as thus.

Although Kamal was his usual self, taking singles and two with occasional big hits, game was slipping from MCC unless a few boundaries come fast as when Sid got out, MCC needed 48 in 4 overs at 12 RPO and hence needed two boundaries minimum per over.

Cometh the messiah. 

Who else but the showman in our league, who has time and again, changed the complexity of the game in few balls. The one and only Shaker Bhai as he hit 17 in just five balls with two sixers and boundary. Talk about game awareness and confidence. Bhai is so much there as that’s exactly what was needed when he walked it and he delivered yet again.

When Shaker Bhai got out, MCC still needed 31 runs in 15 balls which is still a tall order but again a couple of big boundaries will do well.

Next man in was Javed, their vice-captain.

Javed is a fantastic all rounder and time and again proved himself and today was no different and duly made a graceful and exceedingly impactful 21 in 9 balls with one sixer (when it mattered in the first ball of the 20th over) and two boundaries. 

Last Over Magic - YouTube Video

https://youtu.be/E4KASV61j-0 (last over magic with some voice over as the FB live link was broken after 5 minutes of live streaming)

Want to talk about that sixer, the first ball of the 20th overs, bowled by Prabh with 16 needed to win. The first ball was so crucial.  Knowing the shoulder power of Prabh and knowing how much the fist ball matters, I was expecting a shorter one outside the off-stump but was bowled fuller which Javed duly and handsomely lifted over widish mid wicket.  Any batsman would have been waiting to swing the bat on that ball and personally I felt that that's the ball that changed the game.  Knowing what a fabulous cricketer Prabh is, am sure that it was one of those odd slip as he would have known that the batter will be waiting to swing that first ball and must have wanted to pitch it up, hitting the deck hard, outside the off-stump.  That's the beauty of cricket, one ball can change the course of the game and I personally felt that this was that one ball which could have gone either way. 

Brilliance personified,
rock of Gibraltar

Since the video talks about the tie, don’t want to dwell too much on it.  

But what an innings by Kamal who got out going for the winning run, making it a tie (49 invaluable runs in 42 balls with one sixer and a boundary).  He stood like a rock of Gibraltar and although he had played many such innings (including my Super Kings once), am sure he will remember this as something special as we not too often have a tie and that too in a semi final of a league.  I have nothing but awe for this outstanding batter who never gives up and really played ever so sensibly till the end. Awesome Kamal.

Just a few thought on Warriors Punjab, who for the better part of the game looked like winners and it’s just that the opponents are a notch better in terms of keeping their nerves and playing well at crucial moments.  

However, Warriors Punjab must be real proud of how well they played such a sea-saw game where they came roaring from 99/7 to score 146 and then having MCC tottering at 38/5 and then bowling/fielding so well until  the 17th over.  There was an   exceptionally brilliant all round performance by Hemanth, a great tumbling catch by Prabh to get dangerman Avinashi out, ageless Kumar doing the steady act at the end and of course Suren with his tantalizing spin bowling.  It was just a day that was not meant for them as it happens when one feels after losing a tie.

Arvind Singh (MOM with 4/19)
Knock-out game to finals,
Superb bowling performance

I was looking forward to seeing Prabh bat and unfortunately missed it as I was still driving to ground when he got out.  He made a breezy hundred against  my Super Kings a few years back and even in this game hit four sixers in a rapid fire 29. In the final onset of a tie game, another hit was that was required (ifs and buts of life and cricket indeed).

Didn’t talk much about the first innings as I was not at the ground when my Knights captain, Arvind Singh,  from 2013 season took 4 wickets conceding just 19 runs and was awarded the MOM. Well done Arvind as I know how hard you work on your bowling and enjoy this game for his beauty. 

Last but not the least, in such a sea-saw knock out game, it really need great umpires and wanted to acknowledge the excellent umpiring by Jayanth and Koushik. 

As I was driving bank home, mind went back to my beloved lost friend/brother/human and couldn't help a few tears, flowing down my cheek.  Knowing how much he loved cricket, I am sure he must be  happy that I finally got the courage to be at the cricket ground. 

Miss you da my dear Kasiba. 

Disclaimer:  This blog expresses my feelings while watching the game and if it hurts anyone's feelings, am sorry about it.  If anyone has objection, I can gladly remove/update any section of the blog that you are objecting to.  The least I want from this gentlemen's game is to have anyone not happy about what happened on and off the cricket field.

Brilliant captaincy very nearly wins the game for Super Kings (MCC vs. Super Kings) - 17 July 2021, Saturday, Lincoln Park - Part 2

  MCC won by 12 runs

MCC 159/3 in 20 overs (Avinash 70 off 40 balls with 4 boundaries and 4 sixers, Nikhil 33 off 39, Chandra 0/16 in 3 overs, John 0/25 in 3 overs, Aditya 0/32 in 4 overs)

Super Kings 147/7 in 20 overs (Jeff 31 n.0 off 18 balls, Zubair 29 off 20 balls, Shiv 28 off 19 balls, Vikram 21 off 28 balls, Shikar 1/24 in 4 overs, Garuav 1/22 in 4 overs)

https://cricclubs.com/MilwaukeeRegalT20/viewScorecard.do?matchId=414&clubId=110

Chasing 160 at Lincoln is not a difficult task. However, the longer boundary coupled with a stiff breeze makes it a little more difficult today as the options for boundary hitting on one side (bowling from pavilion end)  are limited and really needs good running between the wicket to compensate.  

However, 160 to chase in Lincoln is a set play; score about 70/2 by the tenth over and then the required rate of 9 in the remaining ten overs can be easily accomplished, granted a couple of good overs and taking the game deeper (MSD way) .  At least, that’s what on paper is the manthra. . 

My thought process was that Aditya will have Zubair open with Vicki and then have himself Shiv and Jeffrey follow.  Like I said, 70 in then overs and with such a strong backend, we should be good.

 

I was totally surprised to see Aditya asking me to pad up first with Vicki.   I had requested him to not consider me to open unless absolutely necessary for this game.  In fact was thinking about skipping the game as I felt that some of the other players in the team are not getting their chances because of me.  Anyhow I padded up.  

Although I am opening after many many years, and as much as I appreciate Aditya giving me the opportunity to open in  four games so far, I have not really used the opportunity well.  In two prior games, I had given catching practice to lone fielders in the deep (squarish long on and deep square leg) and had scored only 44 runs in four innings, inclusive of a golden duck.  

 

Vikram, stylish and solid

Vicki, my opening partner,  is one of the newcomer to the team and unfortunately did not get off to a great start to the season a he was  getting out to single digit scores.  In practice, he looks such a compact batsman with solid defense and plays with a lot of bottom hand and packs a punch when he hits.  So, all of us in the team knew that he is just one game away from becoming a solid and consistent performer. 

Thankfully that’s what happened in the previous game against Punjab where he scored an elegant unbeaten 53 while chasing 93 to win.  I was his opening partner in that game as well, playing second fiddle, ensuring that he gets strike as he was playing really well.  I was so happy that a newcomer in the league got to get going with my partnership and was sure that he will do well today as well.

 

Vicki started solidly against Arvind Singh who has lost quite a bit of pace and was not as nippy as he used to be. In fact, during MCC batting while I was outside, we were talking about good old times when he mentioned that he is being hampered a lot with knee pain andis not able to accelerate his run up, which is so vital part of Armory.   

After scoring one run in three balls of a neat clip to mid wicket, I was out next ball, in fact the first ball from left armer, Ankit. The ball was short and wide of the off stump which I tried to hit over the top of the point fielder but ended up hitting straight to Kamal. Yet another catching practice and an extremely tame way for a opening batman to get out.  

We talk about cricket being a one ball game. There are players, who game after game, make it count by hitting tons of runs and then those in the other end of the spectrum who perish tamely and sadly that’s what is going on with me.  I know Aditya counted on a few boundaries from me and that I will score quickly and was very disconsolate for getting out so tamely again  9/1 in 2.1 overs

 

Zubair joined Vicki who played beautifully indeed, including a great upper cut boundary in the first over,  and  within no time  moved onto 21 when he was tragically run out, attempting a non-existent single when he committed too much for the run and  couldn’t turn back.   Seeing how Vicki bats with such assurance, Vicki will be one of the most consistent batman in the league as he has great array of shots and a clear mindset. 46/2 in 7.4 overs.  Not too much off target of 7 RPO by ten overs.

 

Z, Mr. Consistent

By this time, Z was also in his elements and was playing fantastically as well.  Z, ever since joining Super Kings, has been the most consistent batsman and it’s always guaranteed that he will score a minimum of 25 runs.  He is one of the few batsman that I have seen who has shot all around the wicket, picks the length and, more other than not, finds the gap.  Delightful batsman and a great team man, always willing and a captain’s delight.

However, this season, he has become one of the COVID victim in term of fitness and really struggles to keep his stamina.  Although he did his customary two gigantic sixers over mid wicket, one can see that he was finding it difficult to run many singles and still keep his stamina.  

 

Just when Super King was looking pretty, Zubair got out to a lofted shot with no real power, to be caught at long on off a skier.   Only seven runs short of the target of 70 by the tenth over but have lost the crucial wicket of Zubair. 63/3 in 9.5 overs.

 

Now comes the busy end of the run chase and Super Kings were in a good spot with Aditya, Shiv and Jeff batting with Rahul to slog at the end (Rahul cameo was so instrumental for the tie against Panthers a few weeks back.

 

Shiv, stable as ever (28 off19 balls)

The captain (Aditya) and the vice-captain (Shiv) played sensibly by knocking singles and keeping the run rate manageable.  They had a wonderful partnership of 41 runs off 27 balls, which included two fantastic sixers by Shiv over the mid-wicket in the 14^th over bowled by Muhammed.  Unfortunate as it is, just when Super Kings were considering a comfortable victory, Shiv perished to an ungainly, against the wind lofted shot,  to be caught on long on off the bowling off Shikar for 28 runs off 18 balls. 

The teenage sensation was bowling well from the pavilion end and it was always going to be tough to clear the long boundary, considering such stiff breeze.  But again, with Aditya still there and with Jeffrey next to come and needing 56 of 39 balls, nobody can blame Shiv as he had played brilliantly, not only in this game but the entire season despite being demoted from his favorite opening spot. Shows the leadership skills of Shiv to sacrifice his favorite spot  and that’s where the culture of Super Kings, which I fought hard to mold, lives and as the ex-captain gladdens my heart so much. 

 

Absolutely need to talk about the teenage sensation, Shrikar Sudha. I think he must be in the mid teens, probably fifteen or sixteen. But what a wonderful spell of bowling.  Shrikar bowled unchanged between the 8^th and 15^th over and had fantastic bowling analysis of 4 overs for just 24 runs on a day when the asking rate was 8 runs per over and getting the prize wicket of Shiva.  It didn't look as though he is a teenager, playing only his second game. Such maturity and that too such composure against good batsman is very commendable indeed and sky is the limit for such unbridled talent indeed.

Shrikar, teenage sensation, 1/24 in four outstanding
overs of spin bowling 

It was remarkable to see such an youngster, understanding his role to bowl to bowl a tight line and forcing the batsman to play against the stiff breeze.    Shrikar bowled beautifully, tossing the ball up and having the ball dip and slanting towards the leg.  Can't help acknowledging the MCC team (and Shaker bhai) for backing the youngster and my admiration for Shaker bhai went so much higher for continuing to bring in so much of fresh, young talent to the league.  It was interesting to note that Shaker bhai himself was of similar age when he got to bowl in Lincoln in the mid nighties and he was so happy to see history repeating and he being instrumental of writing such a glorious chapter in our league.

 

Apart from Shrikar, Gaurav also bowled brilliantly and in fact gave away only seven runs each in in the crucial two death overs (bowling from the river end where wind was helping leg side shots) and also prizing out captain Aditya in the 16^th over.  His spell of 4 overs for 22 runs with Aditya’s wicket was outstanding indeed and he is really a very special bowler as he is a good understanding of his limitations and bowls to the field, not too flashy but very methodical.

 

Aditya got bowled going for a wild slog and am sure would be lamenting that shot at a crucial time in the game.  With Jeffrey having just joined and since he is capable of monster hits, Aditya would have been thinking about playing second fiddle and taking it deep until that unfortunate split second when he went for the hoick.  Such moments define a game and again it’s hard to fault Aditya as Super Kings needed 45 runs of 25 balls, with asking rate close to 12 (115/5 in 15.4 overs). 

 

Anyhow here we are. 45 needed 25 balls when Rahul came in and could only hit the ball straight to point off the master Shaker, who replaced Shrikar. 

Shaker, brilliant captaincy,
grooming young talent 

Very soon John also perished, run out attempting a non-existent two to keep Jeffrey in strike. Although Jeffrey following his breezy 33 off 13 balls in the previous game with another unbeaten 31 off 18, 160 was a little too much to chase as Super Kings ended up short by 12 runs.

 

Special mention about Arvind Singh who bowled the last over with Super King needing 20.  He bowled the last over well, tucking the batsman with yorkers as well as following the batsman and gave away only eight runs.  Although I have my off and on tiff with him here and there, I really wish Arvind Singh well as he is one of the colorful and very competitive player in the league.

 

In the final analysis, it was such brilliant planning and execution by Aditya and Super Kings today and had the game slipping away only by the last few balls of the match.  As much as the long boundary and the stiff breeze played a big role during their chase, the 21 wides certainly played a big part. 

MCC got to 159 because of two good overs which went for 18 runs each where Avinash pummeled the off side boundary, fully utilizing the breeze.  Super Kings needed similar overs and that didn't materialize today.

Either way, glad to be part of yet another absorbing game of cricket

 

Despite losing , Super Kings can be very proud of a great game against the champion MCC team indeed.

 

Brilliant captain very nearly wins the game for Super Kings (MCC vs. Super Kings) - 17 July 2021, Saturday, Lincoln Park - Part 1

MCC won by 12 runs

MCC 159/3 in 20 overs (Avinash 70 off 40 balls with 4 boundaries and 4 sixers, Nikhil 33 off 39, Chandra 0/16 in 3 overs, John 0/25 in 3 overs, Aditya 0/32 in 4 overs)

Super Kings 147/7 in 20 overs (Jeff 31 n.0 off 18 balls, Zubair 29 off 20 balls, Shiv 28 off 19 balls, Vikram 21 off 28 balls, Shikar 1/24 in 4 overs, Garuav 1/22 in 4 overs)

https://cricclubs.com/MilwaukeeRegalT20/viewScorecard.do?matchId=414&clubId=110

I don't think I have ever been under a captain who has done so much homework for a game and it is a pity that the captain ended up just a little short after an absorbing game against a champion side. But it just shows that the Milwaukee Super Kings is here to stay and win championships, who knows this year itself. 

Coming to the game, probably for the first time Aditya won the toss and decided to bowl first. Frankly speaking, I was expecting to bat first as in a T20 game, especially when you have a good batting line up (not to forget the strong bowling lineup as well although we were missing Arvind Iyengar), chasing a big score will always put the chasing team under pressure especially if they need to chase anything more than 170 even in a  batting paradise like Lincoln.

But Aditya, Super Kings captain,  instantly chose to bowl first and as the game evolved , one can see how much  he has planned the game with minute details and was confidence personified in executing his plans and also with strong belief that his team will  back his plans.

MCC batting (159/3 in 20 overs)

MCC had a decent start with Shafiq and Mahesh.  Shafiq after scoring a run a ball 12 including a six and boundary was well caught by Venkat C off Shailesh who, after a relatively slow start to the season, has picked up steam and is really bowling well, as his hard work in practice sessions and his motivation to the team to work on fitness is showing up and the team really rallies behind someone who is so cheerful and exuberant in his team spirit.   

What can one say about Chandra, who is one of the best new ball bowler I have seen,  as he uses the new ball so effectively by pitching up and also have in-swingers which seem to accelerate after pitching.  He bowed three brilliant overs and gave away only 16 runs.  Still so young and going to be such a force in our league over the years.  In the fag end of my career, it is the opportunity to see such young, vibrant talent that makes me wake up for the game despite the tired and aching body at times. 

Mahesh Mada, whom I thought to be far better striker off the ball (recall one of his fabulous aggressive knock in one of the Regal finals, forgot which year it was) was very sedate and scored 10 off 17 balls before being well caught of Shiva off Rahul. Score was 40/2 in 6.3 overs which was good for the power play overs but not extraordinary by any means as they have lost two wickets as well.

Then there was a very interesting partnership between Nikhil and Avinash who were remarkably quiet and by the 11 overs, MCC was only 66/2 which is exactly 6 RPO which is quite slow for a T20 game.  But, it was only the quietness before the storm as we witnessed from Avinash's flashing blade later. 

John, who came for the 12 overs, bowled one of the most remarkable spell of leg spin bowing I have seen in the league.  I can't recall having seen too many leg spinners in our league, probably Durai who used to play for United. 

Leg spin is such a wonderful facet of the game and frankly any game of cricket, with a wily leg spinner is something so charming indeed.  Am particularly so happy to see John becoming such a wonderful leg spinner in the league as it was only by chance that I got to meet him.  The moment he uttered the word "leg spinner" during that day, I jumped in joy and had no hesitation in romping him into Super Kings in 2019.  

John, brilliant leg spin bowling

Knowing that leg spin in such an art that requires so much of practice, John practices the art even in his sleep (am sure each of my team members will vouch for it).  Infact, he is not only such a hard worker, mastering such a dying and wonderful art of leg spinner, but a fabulous team player and  an all rounder.  

Frankly the game of cricket is lucky to have such players as such players not only emphasize the importance of hard work but also make the game so fabulous by being exponents of such a beautiful facet of cricket, leg spin. 

John bowled three brilliant overs and gave away only 25 runs.  On might argue that 25 off 3 overs is not a great feat.   What is remarkable is that John was bowling against a stiff breeze and in fact the breeze was so strong that anyone who can hit the ball on the leg side could easily smack sixers.  With a batsman like Avinash batting, it is remarkable that he gave away only 25 runs and this was very decisive spell indeed and it was so enthralling to see the tussle between the wily leg spinner and an aggressive batsman. 

Forgot to tell about the settings of the game. Lincoln was so fabulous to play today with temperature hovering around 70, with very strong breeze blowing from one's right to left if one is bowling from the pavilion end.  Shaker bhai kept the boundaries very long, probably 70 plus at the pavilion end. It seemed  further longer as the three of the big trees in front of the pavilion were cut from the previous week.   As one will see from Super Kings batting, this long boundary from the pavilion end and the stiff breeze were so decisive in the ultimate result of this fabulous game where a couple of hits decided the game.

Avinash, brilliant 70 off 40 balls,

Coming to Avinash and to some extent Nikhi, from a score of 66/2 in 11 overs, MCC galloped to 111/2 in 16 overs, implying that they scored 45 in five overs (9 RPO) which included Avinash hitting a sixer and two boundaries in each of Rahul's and Koushik's over.   Since I was not fielding, I was witness to Avinash's boundary hits and they were indeed so fast and furious indeed.  I don't think that I have seen anyone else who hits the ball so hard and flat  as Avinash packs such a punch and even when someone is outside the boundary, one won't stretch out to stop such a fast travelling ball.  Talk about power hitting. It's right up there. Avinash scored 70 runs in 40 balls with four boundaries and four sixers, mostly peppering the straight or cover boundary and each of those hits were very powerful indeed, flat hit thunderbolts. 

Coming to Kousik, it was a brilliant move by Aditya to have him bowl from the pavilion wind.  As an off spinner, bowling with long boundary and with such a strong wind going against leg side shots, Koushik was the perfect bowler. All that was required was to bowl the off spinners on the middle so that the batsman will be tucked in and  can only hit on the leg side.  Of course with Avinash batting, the ball shouldn't be tossed up. All easier to say but Kousik was bowling his only over and that too to a set batsman. It was a great ploy by Aditya to get Avinash out. But Avinash was upto it by waiting for the ball to arrive and hitting those either on the off side or straighter rather than getting crazy to hit on the leg side against the wind. It was brilliant batsmanship as much as it was brilliant captaincy, which unfortunately didn't' get the fruits. Nothing to take away from Kousik though as he is coming off a thump injury and that too in his right thump.  Like a whole hearted trier, Kousik was there for the team. 

Aditya, brilliant captaincy

There was more to come.  Aditya and Zubair bowled the last four overs quite brilliantly indeed. Despite having wickets left in the tank and with the belligerent Avinash still batting with the champion Shaker, MCC scored only 36 runs in the last four overs.  Although one would argue that this is good one, in Lincoln with wickets in hand, team could easily scored 12 runs per over and or even more if we have to add one big over. But that didn't happen, because of the brilliance of these two exceptional death end bowlers as MCC ended with a par score of 159. But on hindsight, because of the long boundaries today (Shaker's smartness), this was like a 180 plus score.

However, Super Kings gave 21 wides, which is unacceptable in any game and if a team needs to beat champions team like MCC, such unforced errors must be minimized and am sure Aditya has his task cut out to iron the bowlers as he saw from the result of this game itself how those wides were decisive. They will also remember the tie game against Panthers where also wides mattered.  Cricket is such a simple game, played as a one ball game, and the team that minimizes unforced errors will well and truly be on top.   Super Kings are such fast learners that they will iron this out soon indeed. 

Coming to the captaincy aspect, have to give full marks to Aditya, for rotating the bowlers so well, having the confidence to have John bowl from the river end against the breeze and containing a champion team to a par score of 159 indeed. 

MCC also played so professionally as they realized the long boundaries and ran really well between the wickets, did not attempt any shot against the wind and accelerated when necessary. That's what experience does. From 66/2 in 11 overs, MCC went onto score 159 losing only one more wicket, which puts it as 10.3 runs in the last nine overs. Smart batsmanship.

So, at the break, match was even and am sure Aditya was very confident of chasing this par score with good batting depth and capable hitters at the end. 

Run feast at Lincoln with centurians from each team (United Vs. Falcons) - July 10, 2021

Falcons beat United by ten wickets with 33 balls to spare.

United 190/7 in 20 overs (Sid 108 off 50 balls with 10 sixers and 4 fours, Javed 35 off 38 balls)

Falcons 196/0 in 14.3 overs (Kabir 140 n.0 in 54 balls with 16 sixers and 7 fours, Muhammad 39 n.0 off 33)

It's a privilege for folks in Milwaukee that we have the Regal T20 cricket league.

But for this league, life in this foreign land, especially in the summer, would be so boring and insipid indeed.

Thanks to this league, we have tons of happiness and a great feeling of being in our native, as we get to play a minimum of 15 weekends through the summer, a welcome break from the rest of the year, which is mostly spend in hibernation with bitter cold and heavy snow at times.

From the days when cricket was played for fun, the league has grown to be super competitive as some of the cricketers are so extraordinarily talented that anything can be possible as it was demonstrated in this game.

How can it be possible that a team which scored 190 runs in 20 overs have it chased down without any wicket loss by the opponent team and that too in a matter of 14.3 overs.

The answer lies in one of the most extraordinary batsman I have ever seen.

UNITED batting :

Coming to the game itself, United scored 190/7 in their 20 overs, thanks to a brilliant hundred by one of the most admired and friendly cricketer in the league, Sid Siddharth.

In 50 balls, Sid scored 108 runs, inclusive of 10 sixers and 4 boundaries. Although I was not present in the ground, knowing how powerfully he hits, am sure that many of the sixers would have sailed way past the boundary rope (typically about 65 yards or so).

Sid Sinha is one of my favorite cricketers in the league.

In fact the first time I saw him batting was a few years back when I was the then captain of Milwaukee Super Kings. In that particular game, he opened the batting and saw wickets crumpling at the other end. Within no time, they were seven wickets down for less than 50 or so. Although Sid was still batting, he was so restrained (Pujara like) that I thought that if we keep him at one end, we can restrict the opponents to 100 or so.

Siddharth, brilliant 108 with 10 towering sixers

But, he totally shocked me with his batting later and went berserk with the tail enders. He scored an unbeaten 140 odd, which to this day is one of the very best of hundreds I have ever since, not because he scored so much but because of the determination and resolve he had in him even when he saw partners crumbling at the other end. That knock exemplified everything one admires, determination, self belief and fighting for a team cause.

Over the years, I have had many interaction with him off and on and every time I see him, he looks at me as a senior and respects me so much. Compared to him, am so infinitesimally talented, yet he gives that respect for seniority and admires that I formed a team after I was 50 years old.

It is because of such humility in his character that many of us in the league wish him to do well (even when we are opponents) as he is not only an exceptional batsman but also an outstanding fast bowler.

Not only that when he joined for combined practice session recently with my team, watching me bat, he was giving me tips as to how I can improve my feet movement by resting more on my toe rather than my heel.

Here I am, a 55 year old in the last leg of my career, being coached by a super good batsman who is more than two decades younger That shows the passion and respect that Sid has for this great game of cricket.

In the same league, where I have seen a few players questioning why am still playing, here is one who wants to me to do better. My admiration for him went up so much after this, as this illustrates how much he values the game not just for himself but for the game of cricket and the fellow players. Respect is always mutual and Sid certainly earns the respect by being respectful of everyone around.

Coming to the game itself, one of my fellow team member, who was the neutral umpire for this game, was full of praise for the chanceless and fantastic innings by Sid Siddharth.

Sid’s 108 was complemented by a polished 35 by their captain, Javed and a breezy 23 by my good friend Roshan, who is one of the member of the management committee and plays the game with sportsmanship and gentleness which typifies cricket.

Most of the teams scoring 190 batting first would have been pumped up during the break as to chase 190 in 20 overs, although not impossible, requires great batsmen ship skills as not only that that the chasing team has to score at a good clip but also need to ensure that they will not pressured by losing too many wickets at that top. Both are contrasting aspects of the game and can derail the chasing team very easily.

But, am sure that it would not have been the case in the dressing room during the break because of one batsman in the opposition team, Kabir Hussain.

He has scored over 10,000 runs across all leagues in the last five years and has notched up 14 hundreds, 25 75's and 126 fifties at a strike rate of close to 120. Phenomenal statistics indeed.

The way Kabir bats is something so pleasing to the eye as he is not one that muscles the ball but someone who times the ball and places in the gap so precisely. It is this innate ability to pick the length and direction of the ball so quickly that sets him apart from anyone I have seen.

FALCONS (Kabir) batting :

Kabir opened the batting for Falcons and all that required for United (opponent) was to get him out cheaply or at least when he is within 50 as that's the only chance to take this game closer.

Kabir, unbeaten 147 in just 54 balls with 16 sixers!

But Kabir was totally unstoppable and scored, keep your breadth, 147 runs in 54 balls with 16 sixers and seven boundaries (breathtaking 124 of his 147 runs in boundaries).

We are not talking about gully cricket but full fledged T20 league on astro turf with full cricketing gear with reasonably long boundaries.

I was hoping to watch the final moments of what is expected to be a close game as I started my drive to the ground from home (about 40 minutes as we had a game in the afternoon).

When I started from my home, Kabir was batting at around 50 and by the time I reached the ground, the game was already done and dusted five minutes back. Such is the total dominances of this batsman as once he gets going, there is no stopping and I haven't seen any other batsman make such a simple meal of such stiff chases.

Kabir unbeaten 147 was ably supported by the other opener Muhammed who scored in 39 off 33 balls with four sixers as well, which obviously went unnoticed.

But as much as I admire Kabir bhai's batting, I am always upset that the game becomes too one sided when he bats so well. It is nothing against him, but as a cricketer, I want closer games and such extraordinary talent makes it less of a team game and more of one player brilliance.

Either way, glad to see two of my most admired cricketers score a hundred today although I would have wished for a closer game.

Go Regal

Disclaimer: The feelings expressed in this blog are mine and are meant to capture my emotions that day

Link to the scorecard:

https://cricclubs.com/viewScorecard.do?&matchId=409...

 

2021 Regal League - Thrilling Tie between Gladiators Panthers and Super Kings - 19 June 2021 (Lincoln Park, 1:30pm) - Part 2

Chasing 164 @ Lincoln is a par score.  So long as the chasing team keeps scoring at about 7 runs per over in the first 10 overs, without losing too many wickets (three at most), should be a comfortable victory as the lower order can hit a few hits out of the park as the pressure of bowling at the death can lead to length balls.  

With my renewed opportunity to open, I was looking forward to making a telling contribution to ensure that the chase is underway in earnest.  To my personal disappointment, which was very short lived, Aditya asked Zubair and Jeffry to pad up.  If I were the captain, that's exactly what I would have done as we are starting the second round, chasing an on par total and if we get a breezy opening partnership, the chase will be lot smoother.   This was the right combination and with Aditya and Shiv to come next, a great start is all that is needed against a very good side in Panthers.

Panthers opened the bowling with their best in Rizwan and Abdul who both bowled well within themselves, keeping a tight line outside the off stump, not giving length balls which is key to restrict lofted shots and they are seasoned champions as they showed. By the end of the first four overs, Super Kings could only muster 17 for the loss of Jeffrey.  

Aditya, leading from the front

In came the captain, Aditya who was in a totally positive mindset.   When I was captaining the team, I always gave a free hand for him although time to time, he used to take the role of sheparding the team and even in those circumstances, he used to start positively.  But after being the captain, we were all noticing that he is too defensive at the start.  As the best batsman in the team, it is up to him to set the tone at the start of the innings where else but in the power play overs.   In the practice session this week, the team could see his positive intent but also his mindset to hit straight and that made a telling difference in the outcome of the game.

In the next three overs, the score moved by another 32 runs (49/1 in 7 overs) with two brilliant straight sixers and a fantastic cover boundary all by Aditya.  The straight sixers were such a treat as they sailed well past the boundary and also dispatched with disdain by steeping outside the crease. Precisely what he is capable, setting the positive undertone for the intention of his team. 

In the meanwhile, Zubair was playing brilliantly by rotating the strike and not really attempting any big hits, realizing that his captain is in a positive mood and all he needs to do is play the second fiddle. Such knowledge of the game come through experience as he could have easily tired to match the captain in shot making and Super Kings might have ended up losing another key wicket before the tenth over, which would have dented their hopes.  

Subsequent to the game, found out from Zubair that his less than normal aggressive intent was due the lack of stamina as he is certainly not as fit as he was two years back when he breezed to an amazing hundred against Lions when he looked so fresh even when he was in the eighties.  For the good of Super Kings in the remaining games, being such an important player, Zubair better work on increasing his stamina.

By the time Aditya got out after making a brilliant 47 runs off 34 balls (with three sixers and a boundary), the chase was well poised. Aditya got out in the 14th over with the score at 104/2. 

It was an invaluable partnership of 87 runs in about 60 balls and it very nearly cemented a Super Kings victory as they were just a couple of hits away when Aditya holed out as he was left pondering in the dug out.  

So Super Kings needed exactly 10 runs per over in the remaining six overs, which should be relatively cake walk against any team. But Panthers are a champion team and they know a thing or two about putting pressure. 

Shiv made 15 off 12 balls within no time as Zubair began to accelerate albeit fatigue was also setting as his fifty included forty runs he ran (plus the ones he ran for other batsman).

At the end of the 17th over, Super Kings was sitting at 130/3 with the asking rate having mounted to 11.3 which is not difficult as all one needs is a couple of big hits and with the pressure on the bowling side, there will always be a couple of length balls.

Zubair - Lynch pin for the chase 

When I walked in at #5, that's precisely what I was thinking,  looking for a length ball to hit straight and clear the rope. Further having lost only three wickets so far, there is also very little pressure of losing my wicket as Zubair is still there. 

But Zubair, despite being tired, was keen to take the mantle of hitting and requested me not once but twice to take a single and give the strike to him as I faced Mansoor who bowled a shorter raising ball which I fended and the ball went straight to the right of Mansoor on his follow through.  Despite knowing it's a suicidal run, to have Zubair on strike went ahead and promptly got run out.  Yet another of my proud run outs which goes with a zero under my name. But happy that Z got on strike as he hit his last boundary of the very next ball.  What a player Zubair is and his 57 off 52 balls shaped the chase so brilliantly as he was just one hit away to get the team to win.

Unfortunately in the same over, John also got out as we lost two wickets for only 6 runs in the 18th over and the asking rate for the next two overs jumped to 14 in two overs with a tired Zubair. 

A special mention about Rizwan who bowled a brilliant 17th over giving away only 4 runs and then followed by the 18 over where Mansoor gave away only six runs and taking two wickets, including my run out. This is precisely why Panthers are such a good side as they can come up with critical plays at the right time with  their experience 

18.1 (136/6) -  A tired Zubair gets bowled off the wily Abdul who came back for his last over. 

This is where the game changed.  

Rahul, brilliance at its best

Rahul joined Arvind Iyengar.  I have seen how well Rahul can hit during that remarkable partnership with Simeon when he single handedly with the last wicket got 28 runs way back in 2015.  Knowing how straight he can hit and how hard he can hit,  I was sure that he can tank of couple of length balls over the rope and the situation was not different from when Super Kings had a fantastic win against Warriors in 2019 when Zubair's two big sixers one over swung the game for us. 

With 28 needed in 11 balls, the time to hit the ball out of the park is precisely now and my God what a hit we had in the first ball Rahul faced.

18.2 (142/6) - Length ball from Abdul to Rahul. Creamed straight as an arrow out of the park with the ball going at least 12 yards beyond the boundary.  If there was one decisive hit that changed the fortune of a game that was this one, just like that square cut by Z against Warriors (in 2019) which also went for a six. 

In the next four balls, four singles were milked along with a wide to make it 147 for 6 by the end of the nineteenth over. 

Here we are starting the last over of the game with Atif with Super Kings needing 17 to win with Arvind Iyengar on strike.  Although he was capable of big hits, having had very little practice, it was imperative that Rahul was on strike as we felt that they should have planned the strike better in the last over. 

But again, cricket is a funny game and now we are looking to need three boundaries to win the game which can be a tall order but anything can happen as just like the batsman, the bowler also is under pressure and he can very easily slip a full toss or a length ball.  I was still confident that if Rahul gets strike in the second ball, we still have a chance.

19.1 (148/6) - Atif to Arvind. Single taken and Rahul gets strike to a standing ovation from Super Kings team

19.2 (152/6) - Atif to Rahul.  A full toss in the leg and disdainly dispatched to the square leg boundary. Brilliant shot and exemplified agony (Panthers) and ecstacy (Super Kings). Pressure mounting.

19.3 (158/6) - Atif to Rahul - Length ball, sailing over deep mid wicket, Gone, Gone, Gone. What a shot. In five balls, Rahul had scored 18 runs with two gigantic sixes and a boundary, all brilliant shots with thundering sound of the bat.   Need six to win off the next three balls. One hit away

19.4 (159/6) - Atif to Rahul -  Leg bye taken to the agony and howling from the Super Kings dug out. Why did Rahul keep the strike to tank another six?  

Why we love this game of cricket is precisely these nail biting moments and the pressure in the middle and the dug out goes to a crescendo in such close games as I started wandering aimlessly in the dug out, praying for that one big hit by Arvind.

19.5 (162/6) - Atif to Arvind - Ball drifting way down the legside and Arvind gets a tickle  to fine leg with no fielders behind the keeper. They scamper for an incredible three runs. Probably one of the very few times in his league career, Arvind ran a three. But what a time to run those invaluable runs as the game need one to tie and two for a great Super Kings win off the last ball with the hero, Rahul on strike.

Wait!  Arvind come back to the pavilion. As we struggle to understand why he is coming out with only one ball remaining, he seems very tired after running that three and has retired out so that we can have fresh legs for the last ball.  Although it seems that it may not fit into the category of fair play as the batting team is adjusting their batting order based on match situation, the rules of the game allow a batsman to get retired out at any time as this is certainly not the case of a retired hurt as Arvind didn't limp out because of cramps but more because of tiredness. 

Kausik joins Rahul who is on strike for the last ball.

19.6 (163/6) - Match is tied.   Atif bowls it very cleverly, shortish outside the off stump and Rahul can only guide it through the vacant gully. It looked like it was an easy two but alas Rahul could not make it back and the match ends in a deserving tie. 

Wow!!  What a game.  With the game in Super Kings pocket with Aditya and Zubair in commanding form, Panthers clawed back brilliantly and only a remarkable innings by Rahul (am sure that this is the second of his  folk fare for grandchildren , turned this into an amazing game of cricket which will be etched in our memory for a long time. . 

Gladiators Panthers 163/9 (Ikram 30, Khurram 24, Shailesh 2/19 in 3 overs, Aditya 2/22 in 4 overs)

Super Kings 163/8 (Zubair 57, Aditya 47, Rahul 19 off 7 balls, Abdul 2/31 in 4 overs, Mansoor 2/29 in 4 overs)

Go Super Kings

Go Regal

https://cricclubs.com/MilwaukeeRegalT20/viewScorecard.do?matchId=400&clubId=110    

2021 Regal League - Thrilling Tie between Gladiators Panthers and Super Kings - 19 June 2021 (Lincoln Park, 1:30pm) - Part 1

It is not often one sees a tie and I was fortunate to be part of not one but two ties. 

I still vividly remember the 2013 game between Lions and Knights where I ran helter-shelter with Vinod to scamper for three runs off the last ball for a tie which came out of nowhere. The two of us, both close to our fifties, ran like hell and scored about 20 runs in 12 balls in that game and as much as the feeling was all about the one extra run, it could also be a feeling of despair if it has been one less run. 

Today, With 17 runs needed off the last over, Gladiators certainly had the upper hand and to see the game ending up a tie is a bit fitting as both teams played well and it would not have been fair to the other team if one of the team did loose. 

It was a brilliant weather day of around 70 and Lincoln was very picturesque with well cut grass and gentle breeze blowing around the ground right through the day, making in a cricketers' dream day to play cricket. 

While driving to the ground, couple of thoughts were in my mind. One was that I had finally began to open the batting which I haven't done for a quite a few years and in fact as a captain used to play way down the order and with my days on the cricket ground a few handful, was thinking of making the best of my opportunity today. 

Other one was the loss of a beloved daughter from a dear Sri Lankan family as I thought about what the grieving parents will be going through and was thinking in terms of visiting them personally after the game as they may live closer to Lincoln. Nothing can comfort the feeling of a parent losing a child so tragically and as I was driving past the churches, was praying for them to go through the hardest phase of a grieving process, the denial phase easily.  

Anyhow, coming to the game itself, Aditya lost the toss again and Panthers had no hesitation in electing to bat and had a very brezy start as both openers (Ramzan bhai and Khurram) were hitting the ball well over the top and took the score to 33 in 4 overs before Ramzan bhai perished to a very good catch by Jonh at deep mid-wicket. 

In the meanwhile, Super Kings dropped a two easy catches and by the end of the game, dropped at least five easy catches and two tough ones as well. The top teams not only take catches but also "make" catches and I know that this is something Super Kings realize and will oil well going forward. But, unfortunate, as it is, some of the easy catches were dropped by one of the very best fielder in the league (will not name him) and hence could be an off day syndrome and likely will be compensated by "making" catches in the upcoming games as I know that guy very well as he prides in himself to do the best in everything. 

Ikram - Class batting

What can one say about Ikram, one of the most stylish batsman in the league. Despite the horrendous tragedy that befell an year back when he was shot in the leg not once but twice, he started playing only recently and is already showing that nothing has changed as class is permanent. Coming two down, within no time, he scored 30 off 17 balls with two brilliant straight sixers and two exquisite boundaries one through covers which had  class all over. Being a good friend of mine, I was watching out how he is able to run and he was taking difficult twos and hence seems to have recovered fully from any leg ailment. 

Kausik - wily off spinner

Just as I thought that he is onto a very big score, Ikram fell to the trap set by Aditya caught easily at widish long on off the bowling of Kaushik, the slow off spinner who bowled really well, tossing the ball with well set fields. Although he was hit for a few boundaries, slow bowlers are such a vital part of T20 as many a batsman can be taken out easily with well executed plans (like today). Kausik is not only such an exceptional bowler but also is a whole hearted trier and it is always good to see such attitude in any player and Super Kings have not one but two exceptional spinners with John as well, who exudes such high passion for the team and game as well.  Although John didn't get to bowl this game, he had been simply outstanding all round through the season and it is all the more gladdening to see him do well all around as it was only by chance I got this wily leg spinner into our league through a fortuitous meeting in 2019.  

Chandra - brilliant last over

Coming to Super Kings bowling itself, both the opening bowlers Shailesh and Chandra bowled well although I felt that Chandra could have been a lot nippier in his first spell.   Watching from outside the ground (had to sit out of fielding as we had 13 in the line up), it looked like Chandra was not hitting the deck harder which is important when one have openers who are looking for length balls to hit over the top and the shorter one is always a good ploy.  However, after the innings, Chandra came and said that he was bowling to his plan and from his figures of 27 runs in 4 overs, not a bad analysis on a day when the opponents scored 163.   In fact his last over, the 20th over off the innings was exceptional as he bowled brilliant yorkers and if am right, he gave away only four runs or so and, which considering that the game ended as a tie was such a vital over.  

Shailesh is well and truly getting into the groove as he is starting to get his rhythm in run up as that is such a vital part of anyone who runs in with a long run up and particularly for a left arm seamer to land the ball in the right area.  Shailesh is such a whole hearted trier and I was happy to see him get the first two wickets, the second of which was a brilliant first ball on the perfect length to one of youngest Regal league player, 16 year old Ashish.  Poor boy! He got a peach of a first baller and having a left arm seamer landing the first ball one faces on the perfect length and darting in is something even experienced batsman dread as a first baller and it is just unfortunate that the little boy had to get such a peach off a ball. But I wish him better luck as he has so many decades in front of him and that his opportunities will come and made sure to encourage him as he was sitting alone in the pavilion. 

Aditya was brilliant and with every game, he is setting the bar higher and it is not often one sees such a fine athlete, hitting the deck harder and bowling to a set field. He bowled four brilliant overs and gave away only 22 runs and took two wickets and in fact eight runs came in his final over when a couple of outstanding boundaries were hit behind square by a batsman moving away to off side and thumping well.  Typical one day innovation but Aditya took two important wickets as well in that spell which became decisive in having Chandra giving away only four runs in the last over of the innings.

There were very many useful contributions from the rest of Panthers batsman as four batsman scored 20+ with Wajahat and Atif scoring 23 each in 14 and 16 balls and Atif hitting three good boundaries and a sixer.

Aditya - Good captaincy

While Panthers looked they are onto a score of 180+ as they were sitting pretty at 80/3 in 10 overs, Super Kings did tremendously well to restrict them to a scope of 163 with the last two overs yielding only 12 runs.  Aditya's captaincy was quiet brilliant as he ensured that his players keep doing the simple things right with well laid out field settings and clear strategy especially in the last ten overs where things could have gone haywire if such positive energy doesn't flow from the captain.  As a ex-captain of Super Kings, nothing makes me happier than to hand over the captaincy to Aditya as I continue to see the positive vibes, goading the team to improve their fitness, improve their consistency in performance.  Well done Aditya,.

Here we are.  Panthers have set 164 for Super Kings to win.