PremiumCCL 2024: Akhil Akkineni’s Telugu Warriors show why they are 4-time champions; beat Bhojpuri Dabanggs in superior effort
The first match on day 2 of CCL 2024 was a high scoring one, with nearly 400 runs between the two teams - Telugu Warriors and Bhojpuri Dabanggs
Last Updated: 09.51 PM, Feb 24, 2024
A year ago, it seemed that the Bhojpuri Dabanggs, under captain Manoj Tiwari, were literally unstoppable. They’d won all their group stage matches, but were then outplayed on the stage that mattered the most – the finale. The Telugu Warriors beat the Bhojpuri Dabanggs to take the trophy home a fourth time. In what seemed like a repeat of last year’s final, the two teams met each other yet again in their first group stage match and, naturally, all eyes were on these two teams. Will the Bhojpuri Dabanggs get sweet revenge or will the Telugu Warriors remain unbeatable?
The second match of the 10th edition of the Celebrity Cricket League was a high-scorer, with close to 400 runs put on the board over the course of the day. Despite conceding a first innings lead to the Dabanggs, the Warriors came back all guns blazing both in their second innings and when they returned to bowl and restrict the opposition. Eventually, they proved the better side of the evening.
Batting first, the Telugu Warriors lost skipper Akhil Akkineni and team owner Sachiin Joshi early on, but mid-way their first 10 overs, they were only at 35/2. Ashwin gave the innings some middle-order stability along with Thaman – Ashwin was dropped at 21 - and got them to a formidable 94 for the loss of 3 wickets only.
The Bhojpuri Dabanggs took the field determined to chase this in style and take a lead too. What was most interesting about their innings was that they were not only focused on the big hits to the boundary and beyond, but were just as hell-bent on converting the 1’s to 2’s with amazing running between the wickets. Skipper Manoj Tiwari, who opened the innings, returned hurt after scoring 26 from 17 balls.
Aditya Ojha’s 43 of only 22 balls brought the Dabanggs within arms reach of the Warriors’ total. He departed in the 9thover, when the team was at 92. Unfortunately, the team could not capitalize on that losing two wickets in the next over, but managed an eventual 103/4, thanks to a massive six by Sudhir from the penultimate ball.
The master blasters of the first innings, Ashwin and Thaman opened the second innings; these two were men on a mission – give the team a blistering start, which they did scoring 41 runs in the first 3 overs. The 50 (of the partnership) came up only 5 balls later and these two seemed determined to stick around till the very end, but then Thaman perished in the 8th over with a personal contribution of 45 runs.
Ashwin remained unbeaten till the very end, getting the first half century score of the tournament as well. He walked back to the pavilion with 56 runs of 26 balls to his credit. He powered the Warriors to 118 for the loss of only 1 wicket, setting the Dabanggs a target of 110 runs for victory.
With a daunting target in sight, the Dabanggs needed a great start, making the most of the power play. Instead, they lost a wicket in the first over and then a second only balls later, leaving them reeling at 5/2. The Warriors were intent on not making it easy for the Dabanggs, so much so that they needed 73 of 5 overs, with an asking run rate of nearly 15 per over.
Although the team was literally staring at the impossible, the Dabanggs were in no mood to give up easily and continued fighting till the very last ball. Aditya Ojha brought the team to 101, which was, obviously not enough. It was an uphill task, no doubt, but try they did.
CCL 2024 is being live streamed on JioCinema, where all 20 matches are available with Hindi commentary. Doordarshan and Doordarshan Sports split the matches, while Sony Ten 5 will telecast the last 9 matches. The tournament is also available with language specific telecast partners through the Star Network channels.
The second match of Day 2 is between the Kerala Strikers and the Bengal Tigers. The Strikers, who lost their inaugural match to the Mumbai Heroes, will look at redeeming themselves and giving themselves a fighting chance in the tournament.