Aries Kollam Sailors, Calicut Globstars to Clash in KCL Final

Aries Kollam Sailors, Calicut Globstars to Clash in KCL Final

The inaugural Kerala Cricket League (KCL) has reached its climax, with Aries Kollam Sailors and Calicut Globstars set to battle it out in the final. Both teams have showcased their dominance throughout the tournament, securing contrasting victories in the semifinals.

Aries Kollam Sailors, led by captain Sachin Baby, put up a formidable total of 210 for two against Thrissur Titans. Opener Abhishek Nair played a blistering knock of 103 runs, while Baby himself contributed an unbeaten 83. The Sailors’ bowlers then restricted Titans to 194 for eight, with N.P. Basil and Biju Narayanan claiming three and two wickets, respectively.

In the other semifinal, Calicut Globstars staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Trivandrum Royals. Royals looked poised for victory at 131 for one in the 15th over, but a dramatic collapse saw them lose their way. Riya Basheer and Govind Dev Pai, who had put on a 130-run partnership, were dismissed in quick succession by Akhil Scaria. Scaria then claimed two more wickets in the 18th over to seal the win for Globstars.

The final promises to be a thrilling encounter between two evenly matched teams. Sailors will rely on their batting prowess, while Globstars will look to their bowlers to make the difference. The match will be played at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday, September 17.

Sachin Baby's Century Powers Kollam Sailors to Victory in Kerala Cricket League

Sachin Baby’s Century Powers Kollam Sailors to Victory in Kerala Cricket League

Sachin Baby’s remarkable century (105 n.o., 50b, 5×4, 8×6) propelled Kollam Sailors to a resounding seven-wicket victory over Kochi Blue Tigers in the Kerala Cricket League at the Greenfield Stadium.

Baby’s masterful innings, the first-ever century in the league’s history, single-handedly guided his team to victory. After reaching his half-century, Baby accelerated his scoring rate, reaching his hundred in just 16 more deliveries.

The Blue Tigers’ Manu Krishnan had a night to forget. He dropped Baby on 73 off Basil Thampi’s bowling and overstepped at the bowling crease after having Rahul Sharma caught in the deep. Baby, who faced the next ball as the batters had crossed, clobbered the Free Hit for a six and then smashed three successive maximums off the left-arm medium pacer to race to his century.

The Sailors’ victory cemented their position at the top of the table with 12 points. Earlier, Sijomon Joseph’s 50 helped the Blue Tigers post a competitive total of 158 for eight, but it proved insufficient in the face of Baby’s heroics.

In another match, Trivandrum Royals extended its winning streak with an eight-wicket victory over Thrissur Titans. The Royals’ fourth win moved them up to third in the points table, while the Titans remained in fifth place after their fifth loss.

Royals’ most expensive buy, M.S. Akhil, stole the limelight from his skipper Abdul Basith. Akhil anchored the chase with an unbeaten 54 and finished the match in style by clubbing Monu Krisha for successive sixes. Akhil’s 86-run unbeaten third-wicket stand with Govind Dev Pai saw the Royals win with 13 balls to spare.

Aries Kollam Sailors Extend Winning Streak in Kerala Cricket League

Aries Kollam Sailors Extend Winning Streak in Kerala Cricket League

Aries Kollam Sailors continued their winning streak in the Kerala Cricket League, securing their third consecutive victory and moving to the top of the points table. The team’s slick efficiency proved too much for Alleppey Ripples, who were crushed by eight wickets.

Medium pacers N.M. Sharafuddeen and Biju Narayanan played a pivotal role in setting up the win. Sharafuddeen’s four wickets for 25 runs and Narayanan’s three for 20 runs decimated Ripples’ batting lineup. Only three Ripples batters managed to reach double figures, with skipper Mohammed Azharuddeen top-scoring with 29 runs.

Ripples, still reeling from their heavy defeat against Thrissur Titans, made three changes and tinkered with their batting order. However, the experiment to promote Vinoop Manoharan as an opener backfired as he was dismissed in the first over by Narayanan. N.P. Basil kept up the pressure, claiming two wickets in the PowerPlay, leaving Ripples struggling at 32 for three.

Sharafuddeen then removed the dangerous Akshay Chandran (16), who was beginning to find his rhythm with three well-struck boundaries. Ripples lost wickets in quick succession and were eventually bundled out for a mere 96 runs.

In response, Sailors’ in-form batter Abhishek Nair failed to deliver, but skipper Sachin Baby found his touch and anchored the chase with an unbeaten 40 runs. Basith’s blistering unbeaten 50 carried Trivandrum Royals to a five-wicket win over Calicut Globstars. Basith stepped up when Royals were on the verge of messing up the chase, having lost three quick wickets.

The Royals skipper survived a chance early on when S. Sivaraj dropped a skier at mid-on. Basith made Globstars pay for the mistake, counterattacking by clubbing Abhijith Praveen for a six and a four. In the next over, he slammed three sixes off M. Nikhil, completing the victory in style with another six off Sivaraj.

Earlier, Salman Nizar played a well-paced innings of 72 not out to enable Calicut to reach a respectable total of 144 for six.

Azharuddeen's 92 Powers Alleppey Ripples to Victory in Kerala Cricket League Opener

Azharuddeen’s 92 Powers Alleppey Ripples to Victory in Kerala Cricket League Opener

Captain Mohammed Azharuddeen’s scintillating innings of 92 runs off just 47 deliveries propelled Alleppey Ripples to a resounding five-wicket victory over Thrissur Titans in the inaugural match of the Kerala Cricket League.

Azharuddeen’s whirlwind knock, which included three boundaries and nine towering sixes, proved to be the catalyst for Alleppey’s triumph. After Thrissur Titans managed a respectable total of 162 runs, Azharuddeen’s explosive batting display turned the tide in Alleppey’s favor.

The Titans’ innings got off to a shaky start, losing a wicket off the very first ball. However, Akshay Manohar’s gritty knock of 57 runs off 44 deliveries provided some stability to the Thrissur outfit.

In response, Alleppey Ripples began their chase cautiously. Azharuddeen, initially circumspect, found his rhythm in the fifth over, smashing two full tosses over the midwicket boundary for sixes. The momentum shifted decisively in Alleppey’s favor as Azharuddeen continued to unleash a barrage of sixes, mostly off the spinners.

Despite Azharuddeen’s heroics, the Titans bowlers managed to keep the Ripples in check, with M.D. Nidheesh claiming two wickets. However, Azharuddeen’s departure with just eight runs needed for victory did not deter Alleppey. Vinoop Manoharan’s 30 runs and a cameo from F. Fanoos ensured a comfortable victory for the Ripples.

Kerala Cricket League Set to Revolutionize Cricket in the State

Kerala Cricket League Set to Revolutionize Cricket in the State

Cricket’s landscape in Kerala is poised for a transformative shift with the launch of the inaugural Kerala Cricket League (KCL) at the Sports Hub in Thiruvananthapuram. This franchise-based T20 league, backed by prominent business houses and film personalities, aims to revolutionize the sport in the state and provide a platform for budding cricketers to showcase their talent on a global stage.

The dwindling presence of Kerala players in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in recent years and the success of T20 leagues in neighboring states have prompted the Kerala Cricket Association to establish a new league in the state. Six teams – Trivandrum Royals, Aries Kollam Sailors, Alleppey Ripples, Thrissur Titans, Kochi Blue Tigers, and Calicut Globstars – will compete for the coveted title in this cricketing extravaganza. The winner will receive a prize of ₹30 lakh, while the runner-up will take home ₹20 lakh. The third and fourth-placed teams will each receive ₹5 lakh.

The opening match of the league will feature Alleppey Ripples, led by the dashing batter Mohammed Azharuddeen, taking on Thrissur Titans, captained by Varun Nayanar. Azharuddeen, as captain and icon player of the Ripples, will be eager to rediscover his mojo in white-ball cricket. Varun, a former Under-19 Indian player, has been entrusted with the responsibility of leading the side ahead of the team’s icon Vishnu Vinod.

The league’s most expensive buy, M.S. Akhil, and Mohammed Enaan will be the center of attention when Trivandrum Royals face Kochi Blue Tigers in the second match of the day. The organizers have planned a brief opening ceremony after the first match, with film stars Mohanlal and Keerthy Suresh expected to attend. However, the inclement weather in the city, which has received heavy rainfall in recent days, may pose a challenge to the event.

The KCL is expected to provide a much-needed boost to cricket in Kerala. It will offer a platform for young players to showcase their skills and gain valuable experience. The league will also help identify and nurture future stars who can represent the state and the country at the highest level.

Mohanlal Launches Inaugural Kerala Cricket League, Aims to Fuel Cricket Passion

Mohanlal Launches Inaugural Kerala Cricket League, Aims to Fuel Cricket Passion

Malayalam superstar Mohanlal has officially launched the inaugural edition of the Kerala Cricket League (KCL) at a grand ceremony in Thiruvananthapuram. The actor, who is the brand ambassador of the KCL, unveiled the trophy alongside Kerala Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman in the presence of franchise owners and players.

The KCL is a major initiative aimed at fostering cricket talent in Kerala and providing a platform for aspiring players to showcase their skills. The league will feature six franchises representing different regions of the state, with each team comprising a mix of experienced and emerging cricketers.

Speaking at the launch event, Mohanlal expressed his belief that the KCL will play a pivotal role in nurturing future cricket stars from Kerala. He emphasized the need for regular representation of Kerala players in the Indian cricket team and expressed confidence that the league would fuel the passion for the sport in the state.

Kerala Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman hailed the KCL as a significant step towards promoting sports in Kerala. He highlighted the potential of the league to contribute to the state’s economy and expressed hope that it would inspire young people to pursue careers in sports.

Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) President Jayesh George and Secretary Vinod S. Kumar also addressed the gathering, emphasizing the association’s commitment to developing cricket infrastructure and talent in the state. They expressed gratitude to Mohanlal for his support and guidance.

The launch of the KCL has generated immense excitement among cricket enthusiasts in Kerala. The league is expected to provide a competitive and high-quality platform for players to hone their skills and showcase their abilities. It is also anticipated to attract a large following and contribute to the growth of cricket in the state.

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