Rohan Mohite stars in a Thrilling win against GCC

8/18/2009
Author: Siraj Ahmed

Scintillating all round performance from Rohan helped NCG register a thrilling win over GCC.

GCC won the toss and elected to bat. Ritesh and Dharmesh opened for GCC and Prudhvi and Anish were handed the new ball for NCG. Prudhvi struggled for control initially and contributed some extras. But once the bowlers found their rhythm, the batsmen found the going a bit difficult. Anish spotted that Dharmesh was vulnerable on anything bowled around his legs and nailed him with one that was full and straight. The dangerous Sandeep was the next man in for GCC. Sunny replaced Anish and kept the proceedings tight, until Ritesh broke the shackles by stepping out and carting Sunny over mid-on for a six. NCG made a tactical bowling change with Nandakishore replacing Prudhvi. Sandeep tried to cart Nanda out of the ground, but ended up top edging to point into the safe hands of Siraj. Going into the first break GCC were in a decent position at 43/2. Good comeback from NCG considering that GCC were 28/0 after 5 overs.

Viren who was the highest scorer for GCC in their last match against NCG joined a set-Ritesh at the crease. Both the batsmen tried to step up the tempo. Bimal was brought into the attack, but Viren took the attack to NCG. Prudhvi dropped a difficult chance at Mid-on off Bimal. To add insult to injury the ball was tipped over for a six. Bimal did not have luck going his way as the batsmen just managed to evade the fielders when taking the aerial root. Bimal was hit for 24 off his 3 overs. Rohan was introduced at the other end and immediately cleaned up Ritesh with a brilliant Yorker. The GCC skipper struggled his way to 22 runs. Mikhil was the next batsmen to go. Another searing Yorker to which the batsman had no clue. Yogesh joined Viren at the crease and kept the scoreboard ticking. NCG went into the break at 78/4 with the dangerous Viren still at the crease.

Kalyan took a sensation catch at Cover to dismiss Yogesh off Rohan. The ball was onto him in a flash and he did well to latch onto it. Just when GCC were looking towards a 150+ target, Rohan bowled Viren with a peach of a delivery. With the danger man gone, the GCC tail did not last longer. Kalyan cleaned up Roshan and with a brilliant Yorker. Anish came back to end Paresh’s resistance by disturbing his stumps. The kid, Darshan was caught at covers by Sunny off Kalyan. Sunny hurt himself taking the catch and had to walk off the field. Tarpan, the last man was run out the very next ball. GCC innings folded up at 128 off 24 overs. Viren top-scored again with 40 runs for GCC. Rohan was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 4/10. Anish and Kalyan provided excellent support with figures of 2/11 and 2/10.

With Kishore injured, Bimal and Sunny were the makeshift openers for NCA. They started with a boom, taking the attack to GCC opening bowlers Paresh and Sandeep. Sunny had a flight to catch and played some neat strokes before he was run out. Bimal drove straight back at Paresh and the bowler clipped the bails and caught Sunny short. The openers gave a quick start of 30 runs in 4 overs. Kalyan joined Bimal at the crease. Bimal was at his aggressive best and raced onto 16 runs off 12 balls. But he tried one shot too many, and was caught by Piyush off the bowling of Sandeep. Siraj was the next batsman at the crease. Both batsman preferred caution over aggression and focused on keeping the scoreboard ticking without losing any wickets.

NCG lost two quick wickets on either side of the break. Kalyan nicked left-arm spinner Viren to wicket keeper Roshan just before the break. Immediately after the break, Siraj tried turning a Mikhil delivery to leg side. But the ball took the edge and was caught by Ritesh at point. Rakesh did not last longer and chipped a simple return catch to Mikhil. Mikhil turned the match around with couple of quick wickets and suddenly NCG were in a spot of bother. Anish and Rohan set about repairing the damage, and did it with style. Both batsmen kept the scoreboard ticking by some brilliant stroke play and breath-taking running between the wickets. The pair took NCG from a precarious 50/5 to 78/5 at the second break. Sandeep split his finger trying to stop a flick from Anish and had to be rushed to the hospital. He had completed his bowling spell though, with figures of 1/18. NCG still needed about 54 runs at run a ball to win the match at the final break.

Anish lost a bit of concentration after the break and was bowled by Tarpan. Prudhvi, was the next batsmen in. He tried to go for some quick runs and was caught in the deep off the bowling of Viren. Rohan was cool and composed, and found an excellent ally in Nanda. Both batsmen coolly finished the match with some sensible batting. Rohan expedited the end with a brilliant six. Nanda had some lovely shots on the off-side and gave excellent support to coast NCG safely to the target. Rohan was unbeaten on 34 and sealed off the match in style.

Ice-man Rohan was declared man of the match for his brilliant all round effort with the bat and the ball. He scored 34 n.o. and took 4/10 in his spell of 5 overs.


Score Card - NCG vs GCC