In a pulsating encounter that went down to the wire, Ahmedabad Lions secured a sensational win over Chennai Singams in their last league fixture of the Indian Street Premier League (ISPL) Season 3 at Lalbhai Contractor Stadium on Monday. With this win, the Ahmedabad team finished as table toppers with 14 points.
Later in the day, Tiigers of Kolkata became the last team to qualify for the playoffs with their two-wicket victory over Falcon Risers Hyderabad by successfully chasing down a modest target of 77 for the loss of 8 wickets and five balls to spare, in response to Falcon Risers Hyderabad's total of 76/9.
Earlier, Ahmedabad Lions’ match against Chennai Singams was defined by superior power-hitting from the Lions' top order, which ultimately proved to be the difference between the two sides.
Batting first, the Ahmedabad Lions posted a competitive total of 92/5 in their allotted 10 overs. The innings was anchored by opener Sikandarbhai Bhatti, who provided a blistering start. Bhatti scored a rapid 34 off just 17 deliveries, an inning laced with five boundaries. Despite the loss of Prathamesh Thakre (4) and Sanjay Kanojjiya (3) to the bowling of Ashish Pal and Sunil Kumar respectively, the Lions maintained a healthy run rate.
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Amit Naik played a pivotal role in the middle overs, keeping the scoreboard ticking with a vital 29 off 17 balls. Naik’s innings included two sixes, ensuring the Lions crossed the 90-run mark. For the Chennai Singams, Ankur Singh was the pick of the bowlers, delivering an exceptionally economical spell of 1/6 in his two overs, while Jagannath Sarkar chipped in with 1/9.
Chasing a target of 93, the Chennai Singams’ response was heavily reliant on Ketan Mhatre. Mhatre played a magnificent lone hand, remaining unbeaten on 54 off 30 balls. His knock was studded with six fours and two sixes. However, he lacked significant support from the other end. Aman Yadav struggled to find the boundary, scoring 12 off 10 balls, while Mohammed Nadeem (7) and Sarfraz Khan (4) fell cheaply to the Lions' disciplined bowling attack.
Captain Jignesh Patel was the standout bowler for Ahmedabad, claiming 2/14 in his two overs, removing key batters including Jagannath Sarkar and Aman Yadav. His breakthroughs stifled the chase at critical junctures.
Despite Mhatre’s heroics, the Singams could only manage 90/5 in 10 overs, falling agonizingly short of the target.
The ISPL playoff stage is set for a high-octane week of cricket, beginning this Tuesday with Ahmedabad Lions facing Chennai Singams in Qualifier 1. The stakes remain high on Wednesday as Majhi Mumbai takes on the Tiigers of Kolkata in a do-or-die Eliminator, with the winner advancing to face the losing side of Qualifier 1 in Qualifier 2 on Thursday. The Season will conclude on Friday with the Grand Finale, played between winner of Qualifier 1 and 2.
