Match Reports

[Riso]

A Special thread dedicated to posting match reports of team India

[Riso]

India Triumph in Nail-biting World Cup Opener: A 10-Run Win Over USA

Ivory Hearts CG, November 11, 2024 – The Indian cricket team began their T20 World Cup campaign with a thrilling 10-run victory over the USA in what was a high-octane opening match. After winning the toss and opting to bat, India posted a challenging total of 187/7, which proved just enough to hold off a late surge from the USA.

Upadhay's Blistering 91 Takes India to Big Total

India’s innings was anchored by the explosive wicketkeeper-batsman, Ankush Upadhay, whose scintillating knock of 91 off just 49 balls was the highlight of the innings. Upadhay's remarkable 185.71 strike rate included three boundaries and five sixes, showing his ability to dominate both pacers and spinners alike. His knock was a masterclass in aggressive T20 batting, keeping the scoreboard ticking and providing the platform for India to finish strong.

Upadhay was well-supported by Inder Kedia (20 off 9 balls) and A Subramanian (24 off 18 balls), who laid the foundation early on. Kedia’s quickfire 20 included two fours and a six, though he was dismissed in the second over, falling lbw to M. Saunders.

As the innings progressed, a series of middle-order collapses slowed India’s momentum. Culls (21 off 18 balls), Gujarati (4 off 4 balls), and Thadigiri (2 off 2 balls) were dismissed in quick succession, leaving India in a spot of bother at 135/5 in the 15th over.

Sutariya (9 off 7) and Lahiri (6 off 6) fought hard to push the score along, but India’s total was now in danger of falling short of 200, especially with wickets tumbling.M Chadda (9 not out from 7 balls) and Ankush Upadhay in the final stages allowed India to post a competitive 187/7 in their 20 overs.

The USA bowlers worked hard but struggled with the intensity of India’s batting, with D. Johns (3/37) being the standout performer for the Americans. His control in the middle overs and ability to pick up key wickets kept India’s total in check. M. Saunders (1/39) and K. Maddox (1/32) also bowled well in patches.

USA's Chase: A Late Charge Falls Short

In response, the USA's chase was led by the ever-dangerous J Harden, who blasted a quickfire 57 off 33 balls, including five fours. Harden’s knock gave the USA hope, and for a while, it seemed as though they might pull off an upset. His partnership with J House (32 off 32 balls) put the USA in a strong position at 98/2 by the 12th over.

However, the tide turned when Kedia dismissed Harden, trapping him lbw, and the game swung back in India's favor. The dismissal of House by Beckenbauer (2/31) further put the brakes on the USA’s progress.

The turning point came in the 18th over when D. Hill (38 off 20 balls) looked to provide the finishing touch with a flurry of boundaries, but he was dismissed just as the USA appeared to be gaining momentum. Pierce (32 off 21) tried to keep the chase alive but was run out, and despite a late cameo from Johns (3 off 2), the USA fell short, finishing at 177/7 in their 20 overs.

Ankush Upadhay was named Man of the Match for his scintillating 91*, which proved to be the difference in the end.

Final Scorecard
India – 187/7 (20 overs)
USA – 177/7 (20 overs)

In the post match conference the Indian team manager RiSo said, " We are pleased with the victory over USA, as it marks a strong start to our World Cup campaign, but with stiffer competition ahead, we will need to improve in all departments to go deep into the tournament. "

[MOD-wmchamps]

Good start and all the best for the rest of the games.

[Riso]

Thank you bro

[Riso]

Match Report: India Triumphs Over Australia by 6 Wickets in High-Scoring Thriller

India vs Australia
Match no 2, Nat T20 World Cup
Date:12 November 2024
Venue: Henson Park.
Result: India won by 6 wickets

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In a captivating encounter at Henson Park, India pulled off a thrilling chase to defeat Australia by 6 wickets, with Amul Subramanian’s scintillating 115* anchoring the chase and guiding India to victory with an over to spare. Australia's aggressive total of 221/6 was not enough to stave off the Indian charge, reaching 222/4 in 19 overs.

Australia Sets a Challenging Total

Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, India faced a formidable Australian batting lineup. Openers S Fotia (23 off 17 balls) and T Beaumont (86 off 50 balls) laid a solid foundation, with Beaumont providing the bulk of the runs. His blistering knock included 8 fours, but strange enough not a single six!

Australia seemed to be cruising towards a huge total, but the fall of Beaumont, combined with some tight bowling from India’s spin and seam attack, slowed their progress at the end when wickets fell back to back. Walkin, in particular, bowled well for his 2/46, and H. Moidu (2/33) supported admirably.

Chris Mainwaring, who was in dazzling form, continued his dominance, striking 76 off 33 balls, with 5 fours and 4 sixes. However, his dismissal by Kedia, coupled with the loss of A. Embley (7) and Broster, left Australia on the back foot at 193/6 with just a couple of overs remaining.

Australia finished on a challenging 221/6, thanks to some late hitting from O'Donnell (21* off 10 balls) and Wigley (6* off 4 balls), but the target was set to be a tough one for India.

India’s Chase: Subramanian Steals the Show

India’s chase began in a blistering fashion, but it wasn’t without its early hiccups. The loss of opener V. Gupta (5 off 4 balls) in the first over, caught by Broster off Jar, put some pressure on the Indian top order. However, I. Kedia (34 off 20 balls) and Amul Subramanian took charge, playing with fearless intent.

Kedia, striking at a rapid 170, added 65 runs with Subramanian for the second wicket before falling to Wigley in the 7th over. At this point, India’s score read 70/2, but the game was far from over. Subramanian, in particular, was in exceptional touch, pulling and driving with utter ease as he steered India towards the target.

The pivotal moment came with the arrival of T. Thadigiri, whose explosive 55 off 24 balls (229.17 strike rate) took the game away from Australia. His blistering innings included 6 fours and 2 sixes, and his partnership with Subramanian (115* off 57 balls) added a match-winning 100 runs.

Despite the fall of Thadigiri in the 15th over to Wigley (2/51), India were well ahead of the required run rate. The wicketkeeper-batsman S. Tyagi (5 off 7 balls) did not last long, but the chase was already well in hand.

The calm and composed Subramanian, who had anchored the innings throughout, remained unbeaten, finishing with 115* and ensuring India reached the target with one over to spare. His 115 not out, comprising 12 fours and 4 sixes, earned him the "Man of the Match" honors for his match-winning performance.

Australia’s Bowling Struggles

Australia's bowlers, despite some early breakthroughs, struggled to keep the Indian batting under control. Jar (2/34) and Wigley (2/51) were the only Australian bowlers to pick up multiple wickets, but their efforts were overshadowed by India’s aggressive batting. Naylor (0/50), Calthorpe (0/46), and O'Donnell (0/40) all went for plenty as India maintained a high scoring rate throughout the chase.

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Final Thoughts

In a high-octane game full of big hits and explosive batting, India emerged victorious in what was a remarkable chase. Amul Subramanian’s match-winning 115* and his partnership with Thadigiri were the standout performances, while Australia’s aggressive total was ultimately not enough to defend.

India’s bowlers had done just enough to contain Australia’s powerful lineup, and the chase was handled with clinical precision, proving once again that chasing down big totals is India’s forte in T20 cricket.

In the post match conference the team India manager RiSo said, "Today's match was a testimony of team effort, resilience and zest. And we must continue with the campaign in the same manner. Having Tarang back on the management board, has also been very valuable".
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Match Summary:

Australia: 221/6 (20 overs)
India: 222/4 (19 overs)
Man of the Match: Amul Subramanian (115* off 57 balls)

[MOD-wmchamps]

Impressive win, keep it up

[Riso]

Match Report – South Africa vs India,
3rd match, Nat T20 World Cup
13 Nov 2024

Result: South Africa won by 5 wickets
Venue: Lorraine XI CG
Crowd: 17,455
Weather: Hot
Pitch: Sticky


A Thrilling Contest, but India’s Missed Opportunities Hand South Africa the Advantage


South Africa edged India by 5 wickets in a high-octane encounter that was decided by moments of brilliance, but also by moments of missed opportunities. For India, it was a case of what could have been, as they fell just short of posting a competitive total. South Africa, however, showed composure esp when 17 and 10 were needed in the last 2 overs respectively.


India's Inning - A Rocky Start


India began the day with optimism after winning the toss and opting to bat, but they quickly found themselves in a bit of a pickle. The pitch at Lorraine XI CG had something in it for the bowlers – a touch of stickiness, a hint of uneven bounce, and a bit of movement. S. Shetty, who’s been a solid contributor so far, was dismissed for a duck in the second over, caught by Raath off the bowling of de Kock. It was a soft dismissal, a poor start to what was meant to be a defining match for India.


The next few overs didn’t provide much relief. A. Upadhay, the captain and wicketkeeper, fell cheaply for just 8. That brought V. Gupta to the crease, and with him the hope of stabilising the innings. But it wasn’t to be. He was dismissed for 15, as India were 43 for 3 by the 8th over. The pressure was mounting, and South Africa were on top.


A Resilient Fightback Led by Pawar and Lahiri


At 92 for 5, India were in danger of being bowled out for a subpar total. But then, we saw something special from Bittu Pawar – this young man has the ability to turn games on their head. He played with such freedom and intent, racing to an unbeaten 36 off just 19 balls. His late surge, including two sixes, brought some much-needed energy to the innings, while B. Lahiri played a handy knock of 14 off 8 balls.


At the end of 20 overs, India had managed 143, a total that felt like it might be a few runs short, but perhaps just about defendable on a tricky pitch. But India knew they had to bowl well, and they had to bowl smart.


South Africa’s Chase - Carrington Leads the Way


South Africa’s chase was always going to be an intriguing one. The Indian bowlers, particularly S. Walkin and S. Shetty, had a task ahead of them. K. Carrington was the star for South Africa, leading from the front with a superb knock of 45 off 34 balls. He was aggressive from the outset, scoring 5 fours and 2 sixes, and he really set the tone for the chase. Alongside him, D. Cox (23) and M. Raath (30) played their part, keeping the pressure on the Indian bowlers, and nudging the chase along steadily.


Yet, the game wasn’t over when they crossed 100. India fought back with S. Walkin producing two crucial breakthroughs. The game was in the balance again. With South Africa needing 17 runs off the last 2 overs, the Indian bowlers had a shot at defending the total. But M. Sewart and D. Telemachus kept their calm, seeing their team home with some composed batting.


India’s Bowling – A Mixed Bag


India’s bowlers couldn’t build enough pressure to force more mistakes from the South African batters. S. Shetty was the standout with the ball, picking up 2 wickets for 20 runs in his 4 overs, while S. Walkin also bagged 2 wickets, finishing with 28 runs conceded.

But there were moments where India just let the game drift. B. Lahiri and K. Iyer were a little expensive, conceding 9.5 and 9.75 runs per over, and that hurt India’s chances. South Africa’s chase was methodical, and while there were a few anxious moments, they managed to keep their cool.


Final Thoughts – A Game of Missed Chances

India’s defeat here feels like a missed opportunity. They fought back well through Pawar’s late blitz, and their bowlers didn’t give up easily. But in T20 cricket, you have to take your chances, and India weren’t able to capitalize on those key moments. South Africa, on the other hand, were clinical. They had their own moments of discomfort, but Carrington’s innings ensured they stayed ahead in the chase.

The tournament isn’t over for India yet. They have two more matches to play, and they’re still very much in the hunt for a semi-final spot. But today, South Africa were the better side, and they’ve earned the points that will keep them in the race.

in the Post match conference RiSo commented, "India’s task is clear now – win the remaining matches and get the semi-final berth. The tournament is so fast paced that there’s no time to dwell on this defeat. The journey must continue".

[Riso]

4th T20 Match Report
Netherlands vs India –
India Defeated by 7 Wickets
The Full Tossers CG, 14th November 2024


India's Batting Disaster: A Total Collapse!


The Indian team’s performance against the Netherlands was nothing short of a catastrophe. Put to bat first, India’s top-order crumbled under pressure, posting a paltry total of just 78 runs in 17.1 overs. It was a horrendous batting display, and one that will hurt their NRR badly.


S. Shetty and V. Gupta started cautiously, but there was no real intent from either, and it was soon evident that the pressure was building. Shetty, struggling for timing, fell for just 15 off 27 balls. Gupta, despite hitting a couple of boundaries, never looked comfortable, falling for 28 off 32 balls. Together, they wasted valuable deliveries on a sticky pitch that demanded aggression and quick runs.

At 40 for 2 in the 8th over, India was already behind the game. The middle order was no better. A. Subramanian fell for 8, and soon after, T. Thadigiri was dismissed for 10, caught off Smith. The Indian team’s reliance on hitting boundaries in a situation demanding calculated, quick batting was showing through, but the skill wasn’t there.

And then came the disaster. The next six wickets fell for a combined total of just 14 runs. There were no real contributions from the likes of M. Chadda (0), F. Beckenbauer (0), or S. Tyagi (0), leaving India’s total at an embarrassing 78. Clay Smith was the tormentor, finishing with 3 for 9 in just 2.1 overs, while Z Cordy also took 3 wickets, restricting India’s batting to a mere trickle.


Netherlands’ Clinical Chase: A Comfortable Victory

The Dutch were never really under any pressure while chasing down the modest target of 79. India’s bowlers, despite a decent effort, lacked the intensity to create a serious threat. M. Chadda was the pick of the bowlers with 2 wickets, but even he could not stem the flow of runs.

D. Hawkins guided the Netherlands home with a calm, composed 36* off 47 balls. A. Schreurs (18) and S. Wallis (17) gave useful support, and the target was achieved in the 16th over with 7 wickets in hand. The Netherlands were hardly stretched, comfortably cruising to victory.


What India needs to reflect on is their fundamental failure with the bat. The surface was challenging, yes, but 78 runs is never going to be enough on any day, in any format. No batsman crossed 30, and only a handful of boundaries were hit—an appalling statistic in a T20 match.

The bowling, to be fair, was a little more disciplined, but when your total is so low, you leave little room for even the best bowlers to defend it. Kedia (1 for 10) and Chadda (2 for 26) were among the better performers, but in the end, the Indian team was always going to lose once the batting collapsed so comprehensively.

During post conference RiSo said," By far the worst day at office. We are still struggling to understand but out performance was abysmal."


Verdict: A humiliating defeat that will linger in the minds of the players and management. The Indian team must regroup, work on their batting technique, and ensure that this abysmal performance doesn’t become the norm going forward. The next few matche will be more than crucial in deciding whether India can bounce back from this disaster.

[Riso]

5th Match Report: India vs Scotland
The Nigiro CG, 15th November 2024
Result: India won by 5 wickets
Man of the Match: Bhagavan Lahiri (India) – 3 wickets for 22 runs


India’s Win, But Their World Cup Journey Ends


It was a victory that came with mixed emotions. India defeated Scotland by 5 wickets, but as the match progressed, the realisation sank in – despite the win, India’s journey in this World Cup was now over. A series of earlier losses in the tournament meant that, even with this victory, they could not qualify for the knockout stages.


In cricket, as in life, it’s the small moments that define big dreams. For India, it was a match that should have been about seizing control, about making a statement, but instead, it ended up being a bittersweet note in what was a challenging campaign.


Scotland’s Fightback: 143 All Out


Having won the toss and elected to bowl first, India were put under pressure by a Scottish side that didn’t make things easy. B. Sutcliffe and R. Knox started cautiously, but the introduction of Bhagavan Lahiri made an immediate impact, getting both of them out cheaply. Sutcliffe (9) and Knox (24) fell within the first six overs, putting Scotland at 34 for 2.

A. Angus fell soon after for just 1, leaving Scotland in further trouble at 36 for 3. But then, Evan Gunn stepped up with a crucial knock of 49 runs from 48 balls, anchoring the innings and keeping Scotland in the game. Alongside him, L. Adair provided valuable support, making 46 off 34 balls, with a well-timed six and three boundaries.

However, once Gunn was dismissed, the innings crumbled quickly. R. Bannerman (5) and L. Keybum (1) fell cheaply, and Scotland were reduced to 143 all out in 20 overs. While India did let Scotland get a partnership going towards the end, the total was always below par on a pitch that didn’t offer too much for the bowlers once settled.


Lahiri’s 3-wicket haul was the standout performance for India. His ability to strike in key moments, combined with the sharpness of F. Beckenbauer (2 for 20), was crucial in keeping the Scottish side in check. The Indian bowlers, despite not having the best of starts, regained control, and credit must be given to the discipline they showed, with H. Moidu and S. Shetty also bowling well in support.


India's Chase: Nerve-Wracking, But Ultimately Successful


Set 144 to win, India’s chase didn’t exactly inspire confidence early on. I. Kedia was dismissed early for just 2, caught behind off K. Jamieson, and then A. Upadhay (27) and A. Subramanian (20) fell within the first 10 overs. At 71 for 3, with the asking rate creeping up and wickets falling regularly, India found themselves in a nervy situation.


It was at this point that T. Thadigiri, the Indian captain, took charge. Thadigiri’s composed 53 not out from 38 balls was the backbone of the chase, as he took responsibility for the middle overs, hitting 5 fours and never allowing the required run rate to go out of hand. Alongside him, S. Tyagi (28) provided valuable support, striking at 140. Tyagi’s brief but important knock helped settle the nerves and bring India closer to the target.


Despite a late flurry of wickets, India got over the line with 5 wickets to spare, finishing at 144/5 in 18.3 overs. It wasn’t the most clinical of chases, but in the end, it didn’t matter.


The Unfulfilled Dream


As much as this win was a relief, it couldn’t mask the disappointment of the exit from the tournament. India started off to a flyer, and had their moments, esp with the bat. It’s a reminder that in a tournament like this, every game counts, and one or two slip-ups can cost you dearly.

The Road Ahead

Despite their early exit, India’s players must look to the future. There is a wealth of talent in this squad, and a few tweaks here and there, particularly in their bowling approach, could make them a formidable force in the next World Cup. The experience gained from this campaign, though short-lived, will no doubt stand them in good stead moving forward.

The focus now shifts to building a team that can handle pressure situations, one that can start strong and sustain that intensity through a full tournament. The Indian fans, though disappointed, should remain optimistic about the team’s potential. This World Cup might not have been India’s time, but the future remains bright, and the lessons learned here will surely bear fruit in the years to come.

In the final post conference, Riso said, "A win today, but it’s a campaign that ultimately ended in heartbreak for India. The team will look back at this tournament with a sense of what could have been, but as always, cricket is about learning and growing. We will be committed more than ever to deliver better results, results an Indian support deserves".

[MOD-wmchamps]

Managed to beat Australia but needed one more win to be through, a bit unfortunate but a good effort nonetheless in this campaign.