When Kolkata’s Maharaj Sourav Ganguly gave away the successful trophy to India Maharajas on the majestic Eden Gardens on Friday, it royally kickstarted the Legends League Cricket 2022 that’s being held in India for the primary time.
The Metropolis of Pleasure witnessed an exhilarating particular profit T20 match between the India Maharajas and the World Giants. The Maharajas, captained by Harbhajan Singh, chased down a 171-run goal in 18.4 overs and gained the match by six wickets. Tanmay Srivastava and Yusuf Pathan starred with the bat for the Maharajas with half-centuries, whereas Pankaj Singh rolled again the years together with his medium tempo bowling, taking 5/26.
The proceeds of the match, part of the celebrations of 75 years of India’s Independence, will go to Kapil Dev’s Khusii Basis, which helps lady youngster schooling. Whereas former India captain and BCCI president Sourav Ganguly gave away the trophy to the successful captain Harbhajan, Match Commissioner and former India coach Ravi Shastri offered the Legend of the Match Trophy to Pankaj Singh.
“It was so particular to play in Eden Gardens. I used to be a bit apprehensive about taking part in after so lengthy. However, in the long run, all of it got here out good. I’m so joyful to see so many legends taking part in,” Harbhajan stated after the match.
Although it was a particular profit match, make no mistake, it was a wide ranging affair, true to the T20 temper. The efficiency of the gamers, who weren’t able to yield an inch and not using a struggle, added to the attraction of the competition.
Be it Kevin O’Brien’s daredevilry or Pankaj’s measured bowling or Yusuf turning again the clock together with his muscular hits, it appeared the celebrities are nonetheless completely able to stroll into any prime T20 facet on the earth. It was additionally a sign of what’s in retailer for the followers as soon as the league stage will get underway on Saturday, with a match between Gautam Gambhir’s India Capitals and Sehwag’s Gujarat Giants on the Eden.
The Maharajas’ chase didn’t start on an ideal observe as Sehwag was out within the very first over. They misplaced their first three wickets cheaply, however as soon as Yusuf got here to the crease, he modified the complexion of the match.
The elder of the Pathan brothers joined fingers with the left-handed Tanmay to unleash a flurry of strokes because the Maharajas trotted in the direction of the goal.
Ultimately, Yusuf and Irfan, completed off the chase in scientific vogue. Irfan hit three sixes, one in all them bringing the successful runs, throughout his fiery unbeaten innings of 20 off 9 balls. Yusuf stayed not out on 50 off 35 balls with 5 boundaries and two sixes.
The World Giants, electing to bat first, bought the proper begin with their openers — O’Brien and Henry Masakadza — placing on a 50-run partnership inside the Powerplay overs. O’Brien hit 9 boundaries and a six in his 31-ball innings.
However the true drama was reserved for the final over of the Giants innings. After 19 overs, the Giants had been 170/5, all set to go for the large pictures off the final six balls.
However former India pacer Pankaj had different plans. He scalped three wickets with out conceding a single run to harm the Giants’ ambition of an even bigger complete.
What extra do you want from a T20 match!
Temporary scores: World Giants 170/8 in 20 ovs (Kevin O’Brien 52, Denesh Ramdin 42 n.o.; Pankaj Singh 5/26). India Maharajas 175/4 in 18.4 ovs (Tanmay Srivastava 54, Yusuf Pathan 50 n.o.). Maharajas gained by 6 wickets.
