United Continues Winning Streak

After a shaky 1-2 start to the season, United has done well recovering to 6-3, completing another convincing win – this time by 52 runs over Colts. Winning the toss, United chose to bat on a bright and sunny day perfect for cricket. Ramesh (44 off 37 balls) got them off to a good start – 68 for 2 in 10 overs. Ravi J (59 off 79 balls) and Rajamani (77 off 57) batted beautifully continuously mixing positive running between the wickets with big shots to add 123 runs for the 4th wicket at a healthy 6.5 runs an over. This is the second century partnership the in-form Ravi has been involved in – in as many games. At 212 for 3 in the 35th over, United seemed set for their second consecutive 300+ score – but Colts’ bowlers stuck to their task manfully to restrict United to 277 in spite of a couple of quick cameo innings by Amit and Ashwani. Srini (3 for 49), Saad (2 for 39) and Vishal (3 for 55) took the bowling honors for Colts. Colts’ inning never got off to the kind of start required to chase down 277. Amit Gokhale almost single-handedly (3 wickets and a sharp catch at slip) reduced Colts to 68 for 4. The young leg-spinner Pinak Patel (3 for 38), making his debut for United, then spun webs around the Colts batting with his tantalizing flight and spin. Vijay (49 off 73 balls) fought a lone battle at the top of the order. At 149 for 7 and a climbing required run rate Colts needed a miraculous inning from someone to make a match of it. United’s regular pace bowlers - Amit (4 for 41), Ashwani (1 for 38) and Ramanan (1 for 37) – came back for their final spells to ensure Colts did not get anywhere close to the required target in spite of some spirited batting by Murali (39 off 56) and Arvin (28 off 34). Hopefully, United will keep up this level of consistency during the second half of the season as well and make 2008 a year to remember.