Runs galore as Yashovardhan Singh and Siddharth Yadav’s half centuries ensure Gorakhpur Lions hunt down Meerut’s massive target

Kanpur: In yet another nail-biting encounter at the ongoing Jio UPT20, the Gorakhpur Lions triumphed over the Meerut Mavericks with eight wickets and seven balls remaining as they showcased their batting prowess, chasing down a mammoth target of 213.  It was the formidable partnership between Yashovardhan Singh (81*) and Siddharth Yadav (61*) that stole the show. Yashovardhan’s knock and Yadav’s blitzkrieg half-century in just 22 balls constructed a scintillating 110-run partnership in 42 deliveries. Their combined onslaught ensured that the Gorakhpur Lions clinched their maiden victory, rendering Swastik Chikara’s spectacular ton for the Meerut Mavericks in vain.

Asked to set a target by the Gorakhpur Lions, Meerut Mavericks’ openers Shoaib Siddiqui (31) and the in-form Swastik Chikara (101) forged a partnership of 38. However, a miscalculation from Siddiqui led to his run out in the fifth over. Meerut finished the powerplay at 50/1.

The Gorakhpur Lions set off confidently in their chase, skipper Abishek Goswami (48) and Harshit (19) built an alliance of 37 runs before Harshit was caught and bowled by Purvank Tyagi in the fifth over. Yashovardhan Singh (81*) came out aggressively, beginning his stint in the middle with a six and a four as the Gorakhpur Lions went on to finish their powerplay at 63/1.

Brief Scores

Gorakhpur Lions won by 8 wickets

Meerut Mavericks: 213/8 (Swastik Chikara – 101 runs – 49 balls, Uvaish Khan – 38 runs in 18 balls, Shoaib Siddiqui – 31 runs in 23 balls, Vasu Vats – 3/38, Abdul Rahman – 2/43, Sunil Kumar – 1/28)

Gorakhpur Lions: 214/2 (Yashovardhan Singh – 81* in 40 balls, Siddharth Yadav – 61* runs in 24 balls, Abhishek Goswami – 48 runs in 36 balls, Purnank Tyagi – 1/43, Yash Garg – 1/22)