AXIS Premier League 2015 – Zonal Updates
Venue : Mumbai Police Gymkhana Cricket Ground Mumbai | Match Scorecard | Tournament Details
When the sun rose on 15th Feb the entire country knew it was not going to be a normal Sunday. Millions of Indians were getting geared to log on to their T.V sets to witness yet another epic Indo – Pak battle in the world cup. The scene at the Police gymkhana, Mumbai was almost similar except the TV sets missing, 8 teams from Axis bank (West Region) were getting ready to battle it out and to book a place in the National Finals of Axis Premier League. 4 teams from Mumbai, Bhopal, Pune , Nagpur and Gujarat were there to prove their worth. Strong Contenders Axis Rockets (Mumbai) took on Bhopal team but the visitors sent the hosts in after winning the toss,Axis Rockets piled up an impressive 92. The visitors world was cut out when they were informed that they need to achieve their target in 5 overs. Bhopal could not and the Rockets were off to a winning start first up.
Other Mumbai teams (Mumbai Pillars and Mumbai Falcons) and Vibrant Gujarat too put in an valiant effort but were knocked out of the competition by much stronger opponents leaving the first Semi finals clash between Axis Rockets Mumbai and Pune Axivision.
The Rockets piled up an huge 111 in their 10 overs thanks to a rousing start from their openers and middle order who consolidated further. At that point of time it looked like Rockets would easily sail through but Pune Axivision showed of material they are made of. Their counter attack was brilliant and stunned the Rockets team with Parikshit holding the fort for the Pune team. In the final over it was down to 10 runs required in 4 balls and then things fell apart for the Pune Axivision team.Axis Rockets made it to the Mega Finals.
But the team that impressed the most was Nagpur Navigators. A very good all round team with plenty of talent, they raised the bar when it mattered the most in the semi finals against Mumbai Eagle Gunners. The Gunners put up a challenging 90 plus but Nagpur Navigators too had enough fire power in their batting line up.The last over bowled by Nitin Shetty of Eagle Gunners was very good until a misfield at third man cost a boundary. Dot balls on the fourth and fifth balls and with one needed of last ball, It was pin drop silence at the Police Gymkhana. A perfect straight drive of the last ball and Nitin tried his best to stop on his follow through but could not and the Navigators camp erupted in joy and deservingly sailed to the National finals.
The icing on the cake was India’s victory over Pakistan, but at the Police Gymkhana were Axis Rockets and Nagpur Navigators teams celebrating their achievements, while the sun was setting down on the western side of the ground, it was perfectSunday with Perfect day of Cricket.
Notable performance of the day
Sanket of Nagpur Navigators for Picking 10 wickets and thrice on the thresh hold of hat trick with his immaculate left arm spin plus scoring 28 runs with the bat.
He was rightly adjudged Man of the series and Best Bowler.
Article courtesy – Venkatraman Iyer