Hydrabad : Kittu Memorial Cup 2015 : Sunrisers win the grand finale
By Sai Pawan – A Local Cricket Enthusiastic
A Happy Morning All! One of the Most Exciting Cups, among the Telugu Film Industry this time rippled by the Telugu Dubbing Artists Association for an Annual 3-Day T20 Tournament at the Kittu Green ParkStadium near Langerhouse at Hyderabad.A merely a fondly ground for even an ordinary spectator, which is well distinguished with the grass over the out field makes any individual to step into it. Being located at the pretty outskirts of the city, it is largely peaceful for all the teams to get rejoiced playing the professional game against any sort of team. However the 3 day tournament went on thankfully with 3 typical sides battling right through the short series. The 3 big teams Moon Lights(A), RCM Royals(B), followed by Sun Risers(C) had been a part of the Kittu Menorial Cup 2015, abbreviated as the KMC 2015. As the Defending Champions and the Title Favorites besides, the Powerful Moon Lights Team headed over the Revolutionay RCM Royals in the 1st match. With lots of overwhelming support for the Moon Lights campaign, they won quite comfortably against the Cold-Bloooded RCM Royals and were promoted for the Finals. In the 2nd match, which was also seemed to be the Semi-final, was played between the Title Winners, Sun Risers and the RCM Royals. Sun Risers faced a brilliant endeavour from the RCMs, but surprisingly the Sun Risers had the fruits of joy as they’d won under pressure in a close shave. On the whole, the first two matches with different variants of Drama in between, made the Moon Lights and the SunRisers to stand just a step before the Tournament Championship. Being a part of the Commentary box, let me tell you the match summary in a shorter way.
It was on 20th feb of this month I had been to Hyderabad being invited for the English Commentary in the Final T20 match of the KMC 2015. The Defending Champs, Moon Lights and the New Finalist, Sun Risers were eagerly waiting for the match under the bright sun at 1pm.Winning up the Toss, the Moon Lights Captain Damodhar Reddy without much hesitation invited their opponent to bat first. That sighted as a wise choice to make on, as the turf indicated the bowlers some swing and seam in the initial start of play. In the shorter format here, all the rules were applicable as per the international standards. Moon’s Young Speedster, Suresh was given the red synthetic new ball against the man in the utmost form, Suraj and the other batsman Lokesh at the non-striker’s end. The Batting Side Captain Achyuth Reddy looked so positive as his openers had given them a steady start. Both the Batsmen looked with no trouble in the Crease and in between wickets, which enabled them to score 8 runs of Suresh’s first over. That had given them a bit of more confidence for Suraj as he struck 2 boundaries against the pace of Anand in the 2nd over. On the whole, the score counted to 20/0 after 2nd over, which seemed to be as a dangerous caution for a big score against the Moon Lights. Both the Youngsters batted so well in the mandatory powerplay of 6overs scoring 46/0. They started to enrich the T20 flavour wit their professional game. On the whole, this pair had added 55 for the 1st wicket after 7 overs. Then happened the most unwanted thing for the Sun Risers. Srinivas, the medium pacer was called to bowl his first, where he’d managed to produce the first break through for the Moons. With a slower ball on to the stumps, was forcefully made the batsman to play it straight to the bowler being edged of the blade. An immediate response from the bowler in the follow through to take an exeptional sharp catch, dismissed the batsman Lokesh(13, 2 fours), which was turning out to be a disaster for them. Suraj batted outstandingly throughout the short series, scoring most of the runs in the tournament with his knock of 88 in the previous match against the RCMs and a pleasing innings of handsome drives down the ground round the Dial in this match. After the fall of Lokesh wicket, then came the only left-hander in the team, Buddhu to the Crease. Most of the strike was maintained by Suraj, but the pressure was transferred on themselves as the bowlers startes to impress bowling at the block holes. The run rate slowered down. Buddha, in the process of freeing his arms against the bowling of Mohan’s Spin tried for a big shot, but failed to clear the ropes which turned out to be a good catch by Srikanth in the Deep. Then was the score of 79/2 in 11 overs. Buddha with his short stay at the crease made 5 runs. Later with 2 powerful strokes on the off side, Suraj had completed his 50 in 45 balls. The next batsman Pavan(1) had sacrificed his wicket for the half-centurion and things quickly changed for the Moons. The score degraded to 90/3 after 13 overs. Then we had seen a double-blow from Mohan. The Spinner had bowled the two new batsmen Eswar(4) and Venkat(0) with his Off-break. Irrespective of the fall of wickets, Suraj stood alive responsibly to bat right through the final over. He was now accompanied with his skipper Achyuth Reddy to take on the bowlers. It was 94/5 then. The two right-handers batted tremoundously against the spinner and the pacers and the score kept on tikking. In the over no. 18, Suraj(65, 2×6, 7×4) was caught out by Anand and bowled by Vara Prasad. In the very next over, Achyuth’s quick 25(3×4) an end by Anand’s leg before appeal. These 2 wickets fell in 2 consecutive balls and they added 35 runs. It was 129/7 in the 19th over. With some dots and singles, the batting side just managed to get 135/7 in their 20 overs which felt to be more comparitive. The bowlers topped with Mohan 3/21 in his 4 overs and Srinivas, Vara Prasad and Anand shared 1 wicket each. That doesn’t meant to be a big target for the Moons. But who knows better the twist in the game. This is a battle where we can’t expect the Unexpected.
After a short break of 15 mins, the game progressed with the batting of the Moon Lights, with the pair Srikanth and Mohan as the Openers. The All-rounder pacer Suraj started the proceedings for his side, being economical without a wicket. He was guided with his mate, the other bowler Pavan who had given an early break through dismissing Mohan(1) leg before in the innings 2nd over. Moons were 10/1 after 2. Then the strike rotater Srinivas took his guard, joining Srikanth. The two played the bowlers with the right discipline and never lost a wicket until the over no.10. They were improving violently with 65/1 after 10 overs. The two added 60 runs for the 2nd wicket with over a dozen of extra runs too. Then the youngster Lokesh, who had no wickets in his first 2 overs, got the ball in hand and bowled the set batsmen with his variations in pace. Even a single cricket lover might not have expected this in their thoughts. But that came true as a miracle. Entirely he took the wickets of the openers Srikanth(20, 2×4), Srinivas(31,3×4) and Gnaneshwar(0) turning the score card to 70/4 from 65/1. Sun Risers were not ready to give up and start to fight fantasticly. The run rate for the first time went beyond 6 in this innings. The Skipper Damodhar(9) tried his part to support his side. But went off with the blistering yorker of pacer Pavan onto the leg stump. At some stage, it seemed for everyone that the Defending Champions would repeat the past. But it was the brilliance of Pavan and Lokesh that made the things to be balanced as 50-50. Then the enthusiasm took off the silence in the ground as both the teams started to encourage one another for a famous win. As Damodhar lost his wicket, his side felt immense pressure and gradually they lost the grip of the match. The bowlers executed an everlasting performance from then on, making the batsmen feel the heat. It became 90/5 after 15 overs, having Vara Prasad and Anand at the Crease. The Moons require 46 from 5 overs with 5 wickets left. Spin for the first time this innings, Venkat brought into the attack. He bowled out Vara Prasad(10, 1×4). Lokesh joined him striking the wicket of All-rounder Anand(17, 2×4), who was looking good at the centre. This was the 4th wicket for the All-rounder Lokesh in his 4 overs. With this unbelievable comeback into the match, the Sun Risers had won the match by 9 runs, restricting the Moon Lights team for the score of 126/7 in their 20 overs. There occured the New Champions of the KMC, defeating the Defending Champions. Bowlers include Pavan with 2 wickets in his 3 overs, venkat with 1 wicket in 2 overs followed by the Man of the Match, the All-rounder who took 4 wickets and scored 13 runs as the opener. The Man of the Series, undoubtedly was awarded to the star opening batsman Suraj(scored 88 and 65 in this).
During the presentation ceremony, both sides’ captains said that this tournament was held for the fun and the glory, which also synthesized the whole teams. The good thing is that, it could be the Sun Risers or the Moon Lights who had been the Winners. But on the whole, it was the Telugu Dubbing Artists Association that had won. Well, all around that was an awesome experience for me working with them. Hope you enjoyed the article. That’s it for now. Until next time, its Good Bye!!!