CRICKET – ABRAJ Rocking Royals, Abraj Super Giants 2.0, and JDs Avengers were all winners in week three of season six in the Abraj Premier League (APL6).
A brilliant all-round performance from Sagar Dholaria propelled Rocking Royals to a thrilling three-wicket win over MJ Yodhas. Batting first, Yodhas struggled against the Royals’ disciplined bowling lineup and were restricted to 104 for nine in their 20 overs. Dholaria was the destroyer-in-chief, claiming four wickets for just 14 runs in his three-over spell, dismantling the top and middle order. He received strong support from skipper Ashwani Pratap (1/7).
In the chase, Rocking Royals reached the target in 17.4 overs, finishing at 105 for seven. Dholaria once again played a decisive hand with the bat, contributing a resilient 28 off 23 balls while Rakesh Kumar supported with an unbeaten 17 off 11 balls.
Despite early hiccups, the Rocking Royals held their nerve to register an important league victory. Dholaria was named Man of the Match.
Super Giants 2.0 stormed past Abraj White Tigers by 65 runs in another contest. Super Giants produced a commanding all-round display, amassing 198 for seven in their 20 overs, driven by explosive knocks from Viinod Rathi (45 off 24 balls), Anoop (50 off 34), and Mishal Soni (40 off 26). Rathi’s late onslaught, decorated with four boundaries and three sixes, lifted the scoring rate beyond nine runs per over, while skipper Sanito Dsilva anchored the top order with a brisk 16.
The innings also featured vital contributions from Stany Fernandes (31 not out off 17 balls) that gave Super Giants a daunting total of 198.
In response, the White Tigers faltered under scoreboard pressure, folding for 133 in 18.5 overs. Only opener Anoop offered resistance with a fluent 50 off 34 balls. The rest of the batting lineup failed to capitalise as Ali Asgar (three for 20), Soni (two for 12), and Chetan Dongra (two for 16) ripped through the middle order with sharp spells.
Super Giants’ disciplined bowling and efficient fielding restricted the White Tigers’ chase despite a bright start. The fall of regular wickets broke any rhythm for their side, who ended 65 runs short of the target. Soni was the Man of the Match.
Meanwhile, Avengers edged out Abraj Super Kings in a closely fought encounter that was decided by two wickets.
Super Kings posted a competitive total of 161/9 in their 20 overs. Tarun Parihar once again showcased his explosive form, hammering 19 runs off just eight balls, decorated with three fours and six sixes – an incredible strike rate of 226.32. Veteran Ashwani Bhatia anchored the middle overs with a composed 25, while Sushant Khar contributed a useful 10-run cameo. The innings, however, was marked by frequent wicket losses, as Avengers bowlers – led by Vinay Gupta and Hozefa Petiwala – restricted Super Kings from accelerating at key moments. Gupta took two wickets in his two overs, while Petiwala chipped in with two timely breakthroughs, maintaining an economy of under six.
In response, Avengers had a shaky start but stabilised through crucial lower-middle-order partnerships. Safiyaaldin Sadiq top scored with 29 off 21 deliveries (one four, three sixes), keeping the scoreboard ticking during the chase. Anshul Agrawal provided the finishing fireworks, striking an unbeaten 34 from just 16 balls, including three boundaries and a six. The pair combined in an eighth-wicket stand of 53 runs in only 27 balls, turning the tide after a middle-order collapse.
Despite late pressure from Super Kings’ bowlers, led by Ankesh Mandowara (three overs, 2/16), Avengers reached the target in 19.5 overs.
Gupta was named Man of the Match for his economical and pivotal 2/17 spell, which curtailed the Super Kings’ momentum in the first innings and helped set up the chase.
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