Final: FCC vs OCA RED DEVILS
The final of the 2014 season kickoff T16 tournament was played between the initially predicted teams, FCC and RED DEVILS. These 2 teams played each other during last year final of Fall classic T16. Red Devils won that final by dramatically chasing FCC target in which they made a wonderful 17 runs in the last over. The final now was nicely poised because of this history. Ironically, History could not repeat itself and RD was unable to score 12 runs of their last 12 balls this year.
Toss was won by RD and captain Sandeep Nandagiri asked FCC to bat. FCC quickly lost their fierce opener Vishal early but Sanket(9) and Pratheek (17) stabilized the innings. After Pratheek departed, varun joined Sanket and kept the scoreboard ticking. Wonderful bowling spells from Chandu Peram (3 wickets), Rajsekhar (3 wickets) and Sandeep raju (2 wickets) put the brakes on the scoring rate and FCC ended up scoring 66.
Chasing FCC total of 66 Lenin and Kaushik opened the innings. . The captain Sandeep Nandagiri (4) was not in his usual best. Lenin tried to keep the scoreboard moving but got out for 11. Chandu Peram after a wonderful bowling display came to the rescue again with a timely knock along with Sandeep raju (11). With Chandu still at the crease it looked like it will be an easy chase for RDs as they required only 12 runs off 12 balls. Then came the twist in the tale when Varun bowled a wonderful over getting rid of Sandeep reddy who got out playing a cheeky shot over keeper's head. This meant that 9 runs needed in final over. Chandu launched in to the first ball of the final over from kiran. It was sailing nicely for a boundary till Samit covered a lot of ground and took a brilliant running catch inches before the boundary line. RDs last hope Rajasekhar was on the crease but was unable to get the strike as others kept swinging bats without any connection. Finally RDs lost by 6 runs.
Man of the match: Varun (FCC) for his match winning 3 wickets.
Best Batsman : Chandu Peram - OCA Red Devils (71 runs)
Best Bowler: Dinesh (FCC) 7 wickets.
MVP : Sandeep Raju - OCA Red devils - 8 wickets and 81 runs.
Champions of OCA Season Kick off tournament 2014 - FCC
Runners Up - OCA Red Devils
Congratulations FCC and Red Devils.
Vinay, Gowtham, Pavan and Aditya - were awarded for their services to make this tournament a huge success inspite of the crazy weather.
Semi-final 1: UNMC Underdogs Vs OCA Red Devils
OCA Red Devils won the toss and elected to bowl. Against a strong OCA Red Devils bowling attack UNMC didn’t have a good start and kept losing wickets at regular intervals. The skipper, Aditya Bade (21) along with Alok (7) tried to stabilize the innings. UNMC set a target of 68 runs in 13 overs. Sandeep Reddy took 3/19 and Lenin 4/17 to destroy the UNMC innings. Chasing a target of 68, OCA Red Devils lost couple of quick wickets but UNMC’s inexperienced bowling attack did not have any answer for Sandeep Raju’s excellent batting (28). For UNMC Ganpathy took 2 wickets. OCA Red Devils achieved the target in 12 overs and reached the Finals by winning the game convincingly with 6 wickets in hand.
Semifinal 2: FCC vs LCC
On a rainy day when finally sun came out, a good match was on cards after LCC dramatically made it to semis. FCC won the toss and sent LCC in to bat. LCC made a brisk start with Gowtham hitting boundaries in early overs. However there was no partnership between any of LCC players because of some beautiful bowling from FCC pacers Dinesh and Varun. Only Gowtham made a respectable score of 18. LCC ended up with 57/10 in 11.5 overs, not finishing their stipulated 13 overs. FCC came in to bat and absorbed the initial pressure of good bowling from Gowtham and Naren. Vishal fell cheaply. However Pratheek (15), Sanket (16) and Varun (21) made sure that the target was achieved convincingly (58/3) in 10 overs. Dinesh from FCC got the MOM
Game 8: UNMC Underdogs Vs UNCC
This was an all important game for both the teams to make it to the semifinals. UNMC won the toss and elected to bowl. UNCC kept losing at regular intervals courtesy some good bowling by Aditya (3/23), Ganpathy (1/16) and Vamsi (2/29). UNCC were 41 for 7 in 8 overs but Gopi (31) with the help of Venkat (12) and Rana (7) boosted the score to 100. Chasing a score of 100, UNMC underdogs lost Pavan, Suraj and Pradeep quickly but Shrey and Swapnil steadied the innings for a while. Later Ganpathy (15) and Vamsi (10) scored quickly and made sure the team qualified for the semifinals against OCA Red Devils. krish (2/13), Chandu (1/6) and Daniel (1/17) led the team to victory but was not enough to qualify for the semi-finals.
GAME 7: Fargo Cricket Club Vs UNCC
UNCC won the toss and elected to bat. The Fargo Cricket club bowlers kept UNCC batsmen in check from ball one by picking up wickets at regular intervals. Krish (9) and Sounder (12) top scored for UNCC to set a target of 52 for FCC. Dinesh and Kiran picked 2 wickets each for FCC. Chasing a target of 52 FCC lost Vishal (8) early, followed by Sanket (1) and Varun (0) but Prateek (22) and Samit (15) scored at a brisk pace to chase down the score in 7 overs. Chandu was the pick of the bowlers for UNCC with 2 wickets.
Game 6: OCA Red Devils vs Mustangs:
Mustangs won the toss and put Red Devils into bat. Lenin and Nagender Kaushik opened the innings and gave a dream start for their team by scoring 50 in 4 overs. Sriram Krishna then introduced Praveen Gudipati who changed the course of the match by getting the openers in his very first over. Sandeep Nandagiri and Chandu Peram tried to maintain the pace but Pradish kept not only kept them in check but got their wickets. At the end Sandeep Raju hit some big blows and made his team, Red Devils set a competing target of 110. Sandeep Raju - 25, Nagender Kaushik - 24, Praveen - 2/9, Pradish - 2/15
Chasing a target of 110, Mustangs lost the early wicket of Samuel Paul. Satish tried to steady the innings but the was sent back by Rajasekhar for a dubious caught behind decision. Avinash joined Praveen and both made sure the run rate was under control and kept the scoreboard ticking. Chandu got rid of Avinash by a peach of a delivery and ended the partnership leaving the mavericks at 58 for 3 in 10 overs. Ayush, who came in next made a quick 26 before he was bowled by Sandeep Raju. Praveen stayed till the end to pull off a well-articulated run chase for his team but they fell short by 6 runs. With the victory, OCA Red Devils was the first team to secure the semi-final berth. Praveen Reddy Gudipati - 32, Ayush - 26, Sandeep Raju 3/28, Rajasekhar 2/25, Man of the Match was given to Sandeep Raju for his 25 runs and 3 wickets.
Match 5 Superkings vs Mustangs
SK won the toss and decided to bowl. Mustangs opened the innings with Praveen Gudipati. However no one in their team stayed at the crease for long. Yashveen, Avinash and many others got out for single digit. They eventually reached 58/10 in 14 overs. Phani top scored with 14. For SK Elan took 4 wickets, Rajat 2 wickets, Ashutosh 1 wicket. SK had a good start with Elan scoring 10. Later they lost 3 quick wickets and were in a spot of bother before their captain Venkat Jayanti took the charge and expressed himself with a fluent 21 of 26 balls. Eventually they reached the target in 13.3 overs. Pradish, Yashveen and Avinash took a wicket each. MOM FOR ELAN D for 4 wickets and 10 runs. The group is now open. LCC still have a chance to make it to final four!! Interesting an Exciting!!
Match 4 LCC VS RED DEVILS
LCC won the toss and decided to bowl. RD sent in to bat first had a good start with Satish carrying on till 9th over and made 30 of 27 balls. Chandu and Rajasekhar played cautiously initially then increased the tempo and made 34 and 25 respectively. they made sure RD made a good score of 115. PRITHVI from LCC took 3 wickets. LCC started well with Sudhir Ponnappan and Appu. Sudhir made 30. however no one supported him and RD kept on picking wickets. Chandu, Sandeep Raju and Satish picked 2 wickets each. finally LCC ended up with 84/8 and lost by 31 runs. MOM – CHANDU
MATCH 3 LCC VS MUSTANGS
LCC batted first after winning the toss. After loss of early wickets Gowtham Maranani and Vijay stabilized the innings. Gowtham scored 17 and Vijay scored 18. LCC finally made 77 for loss of 9 wickets. FOR Mustangs yashveen took 3 wickets and Avinash took 2 wickets. MUSTANGS innings was anchored by Gurram Avinash Reddy who made 33. Satish played a good knock of 22. However things became tense after couple of tight overs from LCC. finally Yashveen made sure Mustangs reach the target in the penultimate over. FOR LCC Naren picked 2 wickets. MOM AVINASH GURRAM
MATCH 2 - MAHINDRA TIGERS VS UNMC UNDERDOGS
Mahindra tigers won the toss and decided to bat. They scored 57. Chintan top scored with 16 and Amit goyal scored 10. UNMC bowlers Jahid and Vamsi took 2 wickets. Ganapathy took 3 wickets. Chasing a score of 58, UNMC lost 3 wickets and achieved the target in 12 overs. Pavan scored 30 and Pradeep salla scores 13. Shailesh, Chintan and Sunny tool a wicket each.
OCA 2014 Season Kickoff Tournament is off to a great start and the Game 1 match results are:
OCA Red Devils vs Super Kings
Super Kings won the toss and opted to Bat first.
Super Kings scored 73/8 in 16 overs
Ashutosh Pankaj - 15 runs
Dinesh Rajendran - 9 runs
Sandeep Nandagiri - 3/16
OCA Red Devils chased the target in 11.2 overs scoring 75/5.
Lenin Bala - 23 runs
Nagender Kaushik - 17 runs
Elan - 2/15
Man of the Match - Lenin Bala
Umpires - Srirama Krishna
Pradish Jehan