Location -- Shiloh
The first practice game of the season took place today at Shiloh against CCC.
Newly crowned captain Niranjan won the toss and decided to bat first. Prasad and Sanjeewa started on a cautious note. In the fourth over, Pinku got through Prasad's solid defense. Shrinivas went in at 1-down but was quickly sent back trapped leg before wicket by the canny inswing of Pinku. Two wickets in the same over.
Nikhil went into to give support to Sanjeewa and got things moving. Sanjeewa pressed the gas pedal greeting Shankar for 2 DLF maximum and 1 boundary in his first over. Next over, he hit another max and a boundary. Nikhil on the other side was rotating strike. Sanjeewa lost his wicket to Shankar eventually when 1 ball did not hit the middle of the bat and was caught by Vinay on the boundary.
In came newcomer Yogesh and he was struggling a bit with the new environment. Nikhil then took over from Sanjeewa and hit 3 boundaries to John and Rajesh. In the 16th over, Yogesh got out and in came Neal. From that point onwards, it was slogging to get over that elusive 3 figure mark. Amid wickets, Rishi from UNC impressed with his temperament and Niranjan impressed with his running. DCC innings ended at 109.
Chasing 110 for victory, CCC started on a silent note with Niranjan and Neal giving only 6 runs in the first 3 overs. Nikhil started the 4th with 10 runs but came back in his next over with a wicket maiden sending Vishwas Putta back. In the very next over, smart fielding from Rishi had the other opener Karthik back in the pavilion. Sanjeewa collected his throw and effected a clean runout.
At this point, CCC were 48/2 in 10 overs and needed 62 in the next 10 overs. With Vinay and Keyur batting, spinners were tried. On one end, Sid was having trouble controlling his front foot no ball and at the other end, Neeraj got a grand opening to his season with 2 fours and 1 six. Nikhil came back and was greeted with a pair of boundaries and a six as well.
Rishi was given a chance to bowl and impressed with the ball as well. He got Vinay clean bowled. The match ended with another sixer.
In the aftermath of the massacre, Niranjan immediately booked Rishi for the season, the signing bonus being an interview at Quintiles. Neeraj asked Nikhil to practice leg spin instead of slow medium pace. Shrinivas is thinking of not going to Jakarta just to bolster the batting and Sid is planning to visit MRF Pace Academy provided they open a branch in Chapel Hill.
There will be post mortem today evening on a conf call between Mahesh, Neeraj, Niranjan and Murali. Ravi has offered free tips without his commission and Shankar has been hired as the scribe. Watch this space!!!
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