The CNAT-Cricket special - Page 16

DD managed to pull off an unexpected upset over GG at their home grounds in Kailash stadium. In this match, Indra was serving his ban as a result of his altercation w/ Rama, and since DD was no longer at home, they could play their asura players, which they did w/ full advantage. In this match, DD was captained by Yamaraj, who won the toss and chose to bat.

Yamaraj sent in Sanaka & Bhrigu to open the batting. Bhrigu held Mahakaal at bay, while Sanaka took the attack to Tarakaksh and hit some quick runs off him. Tarakaksh finally got rid of Sanaka in the 8th over, but not before his figures were considerably mauled. In the following over, Nandi introduced himself in, and Bhrigu, trying to accelarate the scoring, was caught at the boundary by Mahakaal.

DD next sent debutant Redasura and Mahishashur to bat. Both of them batted fluently, hitting the ball straight, and scoring fluently, particularly off Vayu. Finally, in the 15th over, Vayu managed to remove Redasura, who made a valiant 35. The very next over saw Mahishashur removed by Mahakaal. This brought Raktabheej and Yamaraj to the crease for the first time. Yamaraj did some fantastic death over batting, even lofting Mahakaal for a 6, and at the end of it all, DD was an unprecedented 190/4

In response, Nandi sent Ganesh to open the batting for the first time ever, alongside Markandeya. Yamaraj therefore decided to open the bowling, and it was an eventful over. Markandeya hit him for 16 runs in the first 3 balls, before taking a single and giving the strike to Ganesh. Ganesh hit him for a 6, but was clean bowled the very next delivery.

Nandi then sent his other regular opener Shilad to join Markandeya, while at the other end, Yamaraj decided to introduce spin, given Markandeya's form. He sent in Sanaka, who made short work of Markandeya. Nataraja then joined Shilad to pinch hit, and he then started hitting the ball all over the place. At the end of 10 overs, GG were 100/2.

In the 11th over, Bhrigu was sent in to bowl an over, and Nataraja lofted a delivery, which was caught at the boundary by Murli. Bhrigu also removed Shilad that very over. This brought Nandi and Vayu to the crease, and so Yamaraj returned and took the wicket of Vayu very promptly. Following that, Yamaraj now brought in his asuras, who had been held back, and they took full advantage of this pitch. First, Mahishashur removed Nandi, and following that, it was a procession. Raktabheej took 2 wickets, Redasura 2 and Mahishashur 1 more. Finally, GG was dismissed for 150.

Mahishashur got the man of the match award for his all round performance, while Yamaraj got the naya soch award for coming up w/ winning tactics for the entire match.

Score summary:

DD: 190/4

Mahishashur - 45

Yamaraj - 42*

Mahakaal - 1/24

GG: 150/10

Nataraja - 55

Vayu - 40

Raktabheej - 1/20

AA continued their successful run at home w/ another emphatic win over VV. Vidyunmali won the toss and selected to bat. VV came to this match w/ their asura debutants, but they were no answer to what AA had.

Vidyunmali decided to have a change in plans, and instead of Atri, sent in Chandal to open the batting w/ Bhashmasura. Daksha decided to try out their new asura talent, and sent Swarnasura and Blackasura to open the bowling. Chandal launched into the attack straight away, hitting out at Blackasura, while Bhashmasura took apart Swarnasura's bowling. In the third over, Daksha tried to change tactics by bringing in Narada, but Chandal hit him for 36 runs in an over. Following that, there was just no stopping these 2. They continued batting, while every VV bowler w/ reputations for bowliing well - Narada, Munda, Varuna, got mauled. At the end of the innings, both batsmen hit a century, and AA's total was 212.

Daksha saw that this would require aggression from the start, so along w/ Durvasa, he sent in Blackasura to open the batting. Blackasura did well, hitting 22 runs of Bhashmasura's first over. However, in the first ball of Jalandhar's over, he removed Durvasa, and put the skids on. Daksha came in and batted tentatively, but Jalandhar soon managed to remove him as well. A desperate VV then sent Munda out to do some pinch hitting, figuring that it was either all or nothing.

Blackasura & Munda started batting fluently, but their run rate of 12 runs an over was hardly gonna be enough as the run rate kept climbing. Finally, Bhashmasura returned and had his revenge on Blackasura by having him caught at mid wicket by Sanatkumar. Blackasura had made a handsome 74.

However, from that point, it was the regular batting lineup, but it was all downhill. Vishnurishi & Varuna came to the crease & tried some lusty hitting, but both fell to Jalandhar. Vidyunmali then brought in Apasmar and Shatabhish to bowl, and Shatabhish skidded out rishis Gautama, Kapila and Narada. At the other end, Pasmar got rid of Munda & Vibhishan, while Chandal dismissed Sanatana for a duck. Finally, Jalandhar came back to dismiss Swarnasura, and the game was over. VV was 160/10

Chandal got the man of the match both for his maiden century, as well as better bowling figures than Bhashmasura. Daksha got the naya soch award for his run chasing strategy, which would probably have worked w/ fewer runs on the board.

Score summary

AA - 212/0

Bhashmasura - 100*

Chandal - 100*

VV - 160/20

Blackasura - 74

Munda - 46

Jalandhar - 5/9

SS recovered from their shock defeat to AA the other night by trouncing BB at Brahmalok Vatika. After serving his one match ban, Rama returned and after winning the toss, put BB in to bat.

SS this time opened the bowling w/ spinners - Rishis Vashistha & Garg. Vashistha removed Rishi Kashyap in the opening over. However, Ravan, who had not been doing well in this tournament despite his reputation, this time batted sensibly. He was joined by Rajguru and the two of them batted sensibly. While Rajguru anchored the innings, Ravan's innings was full of strokeplay, particularly against Rishi Garg. At the end of 8 overs, BB were 80/1.

Rama then brought himself in and removed Rajguru, and so Dadhichi came in and joined Ravan. This time, Dadhichi took on the bowling of Rama, while Ravan took on Bhageeratha. Ravan continued his heavy hitting against Bhageeratha, and no field placing was good enough. From the other end, Rama removed Dadhichi, and this brought Trisiras to the crease. Trisiras took on the other bowlers and hit a quickfire 29. Finally, in the 19th over, Ravan completed his century, but was dismissed by Rama the very next ball. This left the last over for Trisiras, and he hit 22 off the bowling of Hunda. BB were 190/4.

In response to this big total, Rama decided that if he came in to open, Dadhichi may not open w/ Ravan, so he sent Chanda to open the batting w/ Sanandana. Dadhichi therefore opened the bowling w/ Ravan, but Sanandana was more than a match for him, and hit him fluently. Dadhichi decided that since Rama too was likely to tear Ravan apart, he might as well just keep Ravan in the attack. It paid off. In his third over, Ravan took the wicket of Chanda, who had on the other end made a quickfire 25. This brought Rishi Garg to the crease. Ravan promptly removed him, and then Rishi Vashistha. At the end of 8 overs, SS were 75/3.

Bhageerath then joined Sanandana, and the 2 of them batted some more, before Kashyap got Sanandana caught behind for a well made 57. Rama then joined Bhageerath, but there was still a steep target to go. Rama & Bhageerath made sure to minimize the dot balls, and one of them made it a point to hit a boundary in every over. Finally, Vajrang removed Bhageeratha, who was trapped lbw by one that turned, and in the very next over, Redasura was out to Dhoomralochan. Hunda however joined Rama and decided to take singles to give him most of the strike. However, the required rate was climbing, so Rama asked Hunda to simply run whatever runs he could, and not focus on who had the strike.

Finally, it came down to the last over to be bowled by Agni, w/ 23 runs still needed. Rama hit a 4 and then took a single, leaving Hunda to face the next delivery. Hunda took another single, giving the stike back to Rama. Rama hooked the next 2 deliveries for 6, and in the last ball, he lofted it to the boundary. Ravan tried to catchi it, and did, but one foot was outside the boundary when he caught it, and so that ball was ruled a 6. SS had pulled off a remarkable victory.

Rama was the man of the match for his unbeaten 74 and bowling figures of 3/21. Vashistha got the naya soch award for successfully opening the bowling and removing Kashyap.

Score summary

BB - 190/4

Ravan - 100

Trisiras - 51*

Rama - 3/21

SS - 191/6

Rama - 74*

Sanandana - 57

Bhageerath - 35

Ravan - 3/27

PP continued on their winning note by taking out DD at Amravati, despite the ban there on asura participation. Indra won the toss and put PP in to bat. Once again, the devas were hampered by the asura absence, while on PP's side, Taki, Blueasura & Kamalaksh sat out, while the devas missed Mahishashur, Raktabheej and Vidal.

PP opened the batting w/ Agastya and Ashwin2, and they made short work of the DD bowling attack. Yamaraj & Sanaka opened the bowling, and Agastya hit six 4s of the first over from Yamaraj. At the end of 10 overs, PP was 70 for no loss. Indra came in and removed Ashwin2, and this brought Kamadev to the crease. An over later, Agastya got run out by Amatya, and Lakshman joined Kamadev. Both of them flogged the bowling, w/ Lakshman hitting an over of Indra for 40 runs - six 6's, and a 4 off a no-ball. Lakshman finally made a century, while Kamadev made a well made 51. PP made a total of 230/2.

In response, PP opened the bowling, in the absence of the asuras, w/ Lakshman and Shilpi. Shilpi's introduction saw to the end of Sanaka, who looted 23 of the first over bowled by Lakshman. In his next over, Lakshman went on to remove Bhrigu w/ a sharp inswinger. Indra next came to the crease, and Kartikeya brought himself in and removed Indra for a duck. From then on, the slide started. Kartikeya went on to remove 5 more wickets, while Veerbhadra came in to remove Yamaraj, who tried a rearguard action. Finally, DD was all out for 95 in 14 overs.

Lakshman won the man of the match for his unbeaten century, while Shilpi won the naya soch award for removing Sanaka.

Score summary

PP - 230/2

Lakshman - 100*

Kamadev - 51*

Indra - 1/95

DD - 95/10

Yamaraj - 35

Sanaka - 23

Kartikeya - 6/21

What's the points tally at this stage? Sorry to bother you but I'm too lazy to work out...

Glorius Ganas continued their unbeaten streak in Mathura, where they trounced CC in another one sided match. Nandi won the toss and selected to bat.

GG opened the batting w/ Markandeya and Shani, who started steadily. Nahusha decided to save Nishumbha & Taare for the death overs, and instead opened the bowling w/ Sesha & Sukarna. Sesha put the skids on Shani, who was promoted as a pinch hitter, and Shani was soon caught at the boundary by Utpal. This was followed by Markandeya doing a few clean sweeps and getting a few runs of Sukarna, but the latter had the last laugh when Markandeya was brilliantly stumped by Ganesh, who caught the ball in his trunk & whipped off the bails. TV replays showed that Ganesh actually used the ball to whip off the bails, and didn't just have the ball stuck in his trunk while the bails were whipped off. Another controversy was averted.

Nahusha then brought in Bhrigni & himself, and they put a leash on the batting. Shilad & Vayu came in next, and so Nahusha removed Shilad cheaply while Vayu engaged in some gusty hitting. However, Vayu was soon caught at the boundary brilliantly by Taare off the bowling of Nahusha. This brought Nataraj & Ugrasura to the crease.

Nataraj hit some huge 6s off Bhrigni, as did Ugrasura, so Nahusha quickly removed him and brought in Murli Mahadev to counter him. Murli took a beautiful catch of his own bowling to remove Nataraj, and removed Ganesh w/ his very next delivery. On the other end, Nishumbha got introduced and removed Ugrasura. Taare next got into the action and removed Tarakaksh. Finally, Nishumbha took the remaining wickets and GG was all out for 145.

In response, Nahusha sent in Twastha and Ashwin1 to open the batting. Twastha batted steadily, and was simply unbowable, and what's more, he ensured that there were no dot balls from his bat, rotating the strike all the time. Ashwin1 was more fluent, sometimes getting the boundaries, but keeping steady. Finally, Nandi introduced Mahakal, who removed Ashwin1 for 32. At the end of 8 overs, CC were 50/1.

Nahusha then sent in Taare to have a go at the bowling, but Mahakal removed Taare cheaply. Nahusha decided that Mahakal could yet derail his attempts, so he sent in Murli Mahadev to bat. Murli Mahadev hit some lofted shots, while Twastha managed to hold Mahakal at bay. Finally, Mahakal managed to get rid of Twastha for a valiant 45, as well as Murli for a quickfire 35, but by then, his overs were all bowled as well. Bhrigni & Nahusha then came to the crease and saw off the total w/ little trouble at all.

Murli Mahadev got the match award for neutralizing Mahakal, and the naya soch award as well.

Score summary:

GG - 145/10

Nataraj - 43

Ugrasura - 38

Murli - 3/25

PP - 145/3

Twastha - 45

Murli - 35

Mahakal - 3/28

The next matches will start on the 19th. The teams get a 3 day break. Hopefully, we'll have a few filler reports in b/w about the side stories, like Rama's new enmity w/ Indra, friction in BB w/ Ravan trying to take over the captaincy from Dadhichi, rebellion in DD ranks following their best performance coming in Indra's absence, The ban on asuras in Amravati has been another cause of division within Devalok itself, since DD can't play their 3 asuras at home, distension in VV over Daksha's leadership of the team so far. In the meantime, the CC camp is where all the spicy stories are coming out, w/ Taare having the hots for some of the coaching staff, and the apsaras there being bowled over by Nahusha 😆 Also, the controversy over Ganesh's trunk has resulted in a catfight on the air b/w Sati & Ganga 😆

In advertizing news, Kartikeya, Lakshman, Tarakasura & Veerbhadra have been featuring in Roka Rola commercials featuring freshness & coolness, while Ganesh, Nandi, Mahakal and Vayu feature in a Iced Modak ad promoting energy. Mahishashur & Raktabheej have been featured in Red Buffalo commercials, while Jalandhar, Vidyunmali, Bhashmasura & Kumbhakarna have been featuring in some great car ads.

Hopefully, our other reporters will bring us these stories. The matches resume on 19th.

Okay, here is the points table so far. The number of points each team has uptil now can be calculated by adding the columns.

Using that, we have

So as one can see, PP leads the points table so far, followed by AA and CC (haven't calculated the net run rate so far - it's a bit elaborate on a spreadsheet, which is why I'm planning to do this exercise at the end.) Both CC and SS have been the dark horse of the tournament, upstaging even GG. Of course, GG has to win their remaining matches, but it's a steep uphill task for BB and DD. VV is probably out of contention here.

Hope to hear from team members & reporters their reactions to their current standings.

Currently, that table is topped by GG, and teams like SS, BB and CC are in contention. At the other end of the table is DD, which gets tough competition from VV & AA. PP and CC make up the middle.

Not an over bowled

Both sides tied at 1:1.