In a breathtaking final showdown at Surat, the Manipal Tigers emerged triumphant in the second edition of the Legends League Cricket (LLC) after defeating Urbanrisers Hyderabad by five wickets. Asela Gunaratne’s brilliant unbeaten 51 off 29 deliveries played a pivotal role in steering the Tigers to chase down the 188-run target set by Urbanrisers with an entire over to spare.
The match witnessed several key moments that added to the excitement and drama of the LLC final. Gunaratne’s heroic innings not only showcased his prowess with the bat but also built crucial partnerships with fellow Sri Lankans Angelo Mathews and Thisara Perera, allowing the Tigers to recover after the early loss of wickets.
Former New Zealand all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme played a decisive role in the final moments, striking a winning six off his first delivery, sealing the championship for the Harbhajan Singh-led Tigers. Stuart Binny’s impactful spell, recording figures of 4-0-20-3, momentarily shifted the balance in Urbanrisers’ favor, creating a challenging situation for the Tigers.
In the batting department, Urbanrisers’ Robin Uthappa set the tone for his team with a brisk 27-ball 40, forming a solid opening stand of 71 runs alongside Chadwick Walton. However, the team faced a stutter after Uthappa’s dismissal.
Rikki Clarke and Gurkeerat Singh Mann emerged as the rescuers for Urbanrisers, with Clarke’s explosive 80 off 52 deliveries and Mann’s dynamic 64 off 36. Their century stand revived Urbanrisers from a poor start, setting a competitive total after being invited to bat by Manipal captain Harbhajan.
For the Manipal Tigers, Mitchell McClenaghan and Pankaj Singh struck early in the innings, dismissing Dwayne Smith and Martin Guptill, respectively, to reduce Urbanrisers to 36/2. Imran Khan emerged as the leading wicket-taker for the Tigers, finishing the tournament with nine scalps at a slightly better average than India Capitals’ Isuru Udana.
The victory marked a fairytale conclusion for the Manipal Tigers, who had finished at the bottom of the table in the inaugural edition last year. The team’s redemption and triumphant turnaround exemplify the spirit of perseverance in sports.
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