Jio UPT20: Atal Behari’s Lethal Spell and Karan Sharma’s Powerhouse Innings Propel Kashi Rudras to Semis, defeating Lucknow Falcons in a Dominant Display 

Kanpur: In yet another rain curtailed encounter at the ongoing Jio UPT20, the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur saw the Kashi Rudras register an authoritative 9-wicket victory over the Lucknow Falcons to cement their place in the semifinals. Despite a well-set platform, the Lucknow Falcons batting unit was derailed by Atal Behari Rai (6/27) who picked up six wickets to register the best figures of the tournament. The second innings was driven by a blistering knock from Kashi’s Karan Sharma (81*), that began cautiously but evolved into a full-blown assault against the Lucknow Falcons bowling attack. The result means the Kashi Rudras will join the Noida Super Kings, Meerut Mavericks and Lucknow Falcons as the four teams to have qualified for the semi-finals. 

After the Lucknow Falcons elected to bat first, inclement weather ensured the game would be reduced to 16 over a side. Openers Shaurya Singh (52) and Harsh Tyagi (31) gave the Lucknow Falcons an enviable start. The pair raced to a 50-run partnership in less than five overs. Harsh Tyagi struck two maximums but failed to capitalise on the good start as he was cleaned up by Boby Yadav in the sixth over with the score reading 62-1. Soon after Mohd Amaan (3) and Sudhanshu Sonkar (8) suffered a similar fate at the hands of Boby Yadav. While Sharuya Singh complete his half century comprising five fours and two sixes, his wicket signaled the change in momentum as he was dismissed by Atal Bihari Rai in the 14th over. In the very same over Atal Bihari Rai picked up the wickets of Kritagya Singh (0) and Hardeep Singh (0) leaving Lucknow Falcons at 135/6. As the runs dried up, Atal Behari came back in the final over to pick up three more wickets of Ali Zafar (31),  Vipraj Nigam (4) and Kartikeya Jaiswal (0)to complete a stellar six-wicket haul. Despite the late collapse, Lucknow finished their innings with a competitive total of 142/9.

Bried Scores: 

Kashi Rudras won by 9 wickets 

Lucknow Falcons: 142/9 (Shaurya Singh – 52, Ali Zafar – 31 runs in 17 balls, Harsh Tyagi –31 runs – 21 balls, Atal Bihari Rai – 6/27, Bobby Yadav – 3/20) 

Kashi Rudras: 143/1 (Karan Sharma – 81* runs in 49 balls, Shivam Bansal – 33 runs in 18 balls, Aranav Baliyan – 12 runs in 17 balls, Nadeem – 1/22)