Goa: The Rajasthan Lions, fresh from their win against the Panthers in the World Legends Pro T20 League last night, took on the spirited and win-hungry Gurugram Thunders side as the race for the semi-finals heated up. The game, a clash of titans, saw both teams field a strong starting eleven, with global superstars such as Eoin Morgan, Suresh Raina and Ross Taylor in the starting XI.
Sreesanth struck in the 4th over and defeated Naman early. The former India pacer looks to be in top form this season, bowling with great line and length, perfectly complemented by his pace.
Morgan’s show continued in the first innings as the stylish English batsman reached his half-century in just 26 balls. The swashbuckling opener eventually went to Faiz for 78 (38 balls; 6 fours, 6 sixes) after he guided his team to 116/2 in the 12th over. The Lions managed a mammoth total of 208 runs thanks to a late effort from Callum Ferguson (39 off 24), Suresh Raina (27 off 12) and Angelo Perera (42 off 36).
In response, the Gurugram Thunders kept the scoreboard ticking at a steady pace, but the constant drop in wickets hurt their cause as the required run rate kept increasing. With less than five overs to go, the Thunders had already lost six wickets, with the required rate well over 15 runs per over. Despite the efforts of Colin de Grandhomme and Ross Taylor, the Thunders could only manage 181 runs, handing the Rajasthan Lions a comfortable 27-run win.
The win moved the Rajasthan Lions to 2nd place in the points table with 3 wins from 4 games while the Thunders are at 4th place overall with 1 win and 3 losses.
Match result:
Short result:
Rajasthan Lions – 208/4 (20 overs)
- John Morgan – 78 (38)
- Angelo Perera – 42 (36)
- Faiz Ahmed – 1/25 (2 overs)
- Thisara Perera – 1/34 (4 overs)
Gurugram Thunders – 181/7 (20 overs)
- Chirag Gandhi – 54 (27)
- Colin De Grandhomme – 32 (21) *
- Shadab Jakati – 2/30 (4 overs)
- JP Duminy – February 26th (2 overs)
