Calicut Globstars secured a 21-run victory over Aries Kollam Sailors in the Kerala Cricket League, producing a strong all-round performance to outshine their opponents in a thrilling contest.
Calicut Globstars have defeated Aries Kollam Sailors in the KCL. In a match interrupted by rain, Calicut secured a 21-run victory based on the VJD method. Batting first, Calicut put up a solid 195 for six in their 20 overs. In reply, Kollam were at 129 for six in 15 overs when the rain forced the game to a halt. Calicut was then declared the winner. Rohan Kunnummal, who scored a half-century for Calicut, was named Player of the Match. Final Scores: Calicut Globstars – 195/6 in 20 overs, Aries Kollam Sailors – 129/6 in 15 overs.
Calicut had a shaky start, losing their first wicket before opening their account. Varun Nayanar was dismissed on the third ball of the innings, but captain Rohan Kunnummal took charge. Finding his form for the first time this season, Rohan smashed a half-century in just 21 balls. He went all out in the fifth over, bowled by Pavan Raj, hitting two fours and two sixes to score 20 runs.
Although K.S. Aravind’s wicket fell for 7, Akhil Scaria provided excellent support to the captain. Rohan was eventually out for 58 off 27 balls (seven fours, three sixes), caught by Vijay Viswanath off K.G. Akhil’s bowling. The next batsmen, Abdul Basith (11), Salman Nizar (9), and Ashwin Anand (5), couldn’t find their rhythm, which slowed down Calicut’s scoring rate.
However, Akhil Scaria held his ground on one end. Krishnadevan joined him at the crease, and together they brought Calicut right back into the game. The pair put on a crucial 64-run partnership. The final over, bowled by Nidheesh, went for 26 runs. Akhil Scaria remained unbeaten on 56 from 43 balls, while Krishnadevan played a blinder, scoring 39 not out from just 16 balls, an innings that included two fours and four sixes. For Kollam, Vijay Viswanath was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets.
Chasing a huge score, Kollam’s openers gave them a fantastic start. Arun Paulose and Abhishek Nair added 48 runs in just 4.3 overs. But Calicut tightened their grip on the match by dismissing both openers in consecutive overs. Abhishek scored 11, and Arun Paulose made 37. The batsmen who followed, Valsal Govind (14) and Anand Krishnan (21), couldn’t stay at the crease for long. Ajinas was out without scoring.
The Sailors were struggling with their top order gone when the rain arrived. Arjun Venugopal (16) and Vijay Viswanath (8) were at the crease. As the rain didn’t stop, the Calicut Globstars were declared winners by the VJD method. Akhil Sathar was the standout bowler for Calicut, taking two wickets.