CD Web Desk
Mangaluru, Dec 30, 2016: Led by skipper Ritesh Bhatkal, coastaldigest.com clinched the Mangalore Premier League (MPL) 2016 title with a convincing six-wicket victory over Maestro Titans in a largely one-sided final at the Dr B.R. Ambedkar Stadium, Panambur, under floodlights on Friday.
Despite a slow scoring rate from both sides, the contest was marked by quality cricket and a few unexpected twists, offering a snapshot of the overall tournament performances of the two finalists and their captains in particular.
Maestro Titans’ bowlers were unable to defend a modest total of 119, as the men in blue delivered a disciplined and dominant performance, overcoming the early loss of a couple of promising batsmen.
The Titans’ joy at winning the toss was short-lived as Mukka Express rocked their innings in the very first over, dismissing both openers — Rohan Kadam (0) and Vishwanath (4). The decision to bat first soon backfired.
Captain and man-of-the-series Akshay Ballal then took charge, playing a blistering knock of 41 off just 20 balls, which included three towering sixes and three authoritative fours. His resistance, however, ended when he was dismissed by spinner Vishwas H.
Lokesh (20 off 33 balls) attempted to steady the innings but was sent back by Ritesh Bhatkal. Vishwas H and Shreesha, who claimed three wickets apiece, dismantled the Titans’ batting line-up as the team was bowled out for a meagre 119 in the 18th over.
Chasing a manageable target, coastaldigest.com got off to a brisk start with opener Mohammed Taha smashing three boundaries in his 13 off five balls before being dismissed with the score at 17. The sudden wickets of Satya Swaroop (5 off 9 balls) and all-rounder Aditya Somanna, who departed for a duck, briefly put pressure on the batting side, leaving Rishab G.M. in need of a reliable partner.
At this crucial juncture, man-of-the-match Ritesh Bhatkal joined Rishab and played a captain’s knock. His gritty 37 off 32 balls brought the chase firmly under control. Rishab anchored the innings with a composed unbeaten 52 off 54 balls, steering coastaldigest.com to victory in 18.3 overs.
Brief Scores
Maestro Titans: 119 all out (17.5 overs)
Akshay Ballal 41, Lokesh 20, Sinan Abdul Khader 12
Arif Mukka 2-0-30-2, Vishwas H 4-0-17-3, Shreesha 2-0-14-1, Ritesh Bhatkal 4-0-25-1
Coastaldigest.com: 120/4 (18.3 overs)
Rishab G.M. 52*, Ritesh Bhatkal 37
Akshay Ballal 4-0-18-2, Rajath Hegde 2-0-14-1
