IISc starts off with a thumping victory

3rd Aug, 2008, Bangalore: IISc got their KSCA Metro Shield campaign off to an impressive start by trouncing last year’s V-Division champions, Vikram Cricket Club by 120 runs on a typically overcast Sunday here at the IISc Gymkhana Ground. Currently a part of KSCA IV-Division, IISc is targeting a promotion to KSCA III-Division. Judging by this superlative team effort, they are strong contenders to achieve that goal. While most of the players chipped in with handy performances, Santonu’s sterling innings of 86 was the match-winning one. He was duly adjudicated as the Man of the Match.

Sandeep, the home skipper, won the toss and promptly decided to bat keeping in view that the wicket was a newly laid one and was expected to slow down as the match progressed. Santonu and Ganapathy got IISc off to a steady start playing out the initial overs watchfully before the latter was bowled by Ganesh in the eighth over. Mehul who came in one down was soon adjudged lbw to a decision that could have gone either way. But Santonu and Sarendra stitched a useful partnership of 39 runs to bring the innings back on track. Sarendra (24 of 38) in particular played some crisp drives as Santonu was growing in confidence at the other end, quietly accumulating the runs. When Sarendra perished leg-before to one that kept low, another fruitful partnership of 75 runs ensued between the left-handed opener and Harsha. It was this alliance that expertly handled the middle overs and set the tone for a massive total. Harsha made 31 of 39 balls before being blowled by Sanjeet. Venu came to the crease and immediately made his intentions clear, smacking a slap-swept boundary off the very first ball he faced. He then continued in his attacking vein taking stance well outside the crease to the fast bowlers. Santonu sensibly resorted to rotating the strike while coming up, every now and then, with attacking shots of his own. One particular scorching off-drive, executed with exquisite timing and immaculate placement, would easily qualify as the shot of the day as it left all the fielders unmoved. The slog overs saw a few wickets tumble in the quest for quick runs. A couple of controversial run-outs did not go down well with the home team. But with some lusty blows from Venu (38 of 44) and Vikram (13 of 10), the total was pepped up to a massive 277/8. The visitors were penalized a further 20 runs for their dismal over rate, thus making the target an insurmountable 298.

Impending rains threatened to spoil the home team’s party. IISc needed to send down at least 20 overs in order to have a chance to pick up full points based on run-rate. To rush through the overs, Sandeep cunningly resorted to opening with spin at one end and medium-pace at the other. The dazed opponents did not seem to be up to the ploy. Mehul quickly went through his overs picking up three early wickets in a mesmerizing spell of left-arm spin. It was a spell that virtually shut the opponents out of the match. Harsha played the ideal support sending down some tidy overs and also castling the opposing No.3 bat. With the match virtually in the bag, the other bowlers chipped in with economical spells. The leg-spinner, Lalit picked up a three-for against batsmen seemingly competing with one another to reach the pavilion first. Shimjith and Ganapathy picked up a wicket a piece. Pradeep played a lone hand for the visitors resolutely compiling an unbeaten 70. Overall, the bowling was disciplined as is evident from the fact that only 17 extras were conceded in contrast to the 64 extras that the visitors managed to concede. The fielding was agile and attacking while being very safe – there were no dropped catches or overthrows. Wicket-keeping was clean to the point of going unnoticed. Vikram did a splendid job behind the stumps, picking up a smart catch and conceding only five runs in byes. The rain Gods patiently waited for the match to conclude and then celebrated the triumph of the home team with a burst of shower that left puddles in the ground. With one victory under the belt, IISc now needs to win two out of its remaining four league games to go through to the next round. Its next encounter is against YFA Sports Club on 16th August.

Brief Scores:
IISc – 297/8 in 50 overs
(Santonu 86, Venu 38, Harsha 31, Sarendra 24)
Vikram CC – 177/9 in 50 overs
(Pradeep 70*, Rajen 30, Mehul 3/36, Lalit 3/8)

Result: IISc won by 120 runs

Man of the Match: Santonu Ghosh