IWPL ( Indus World Premier League)

The most succinct way to summarize the IWPL would be “Veni Vidi Vici”. Indeed, “it came” as a much awaited event, “it saw” teams playing their hearts out and “it conquered” the hearts of IWSBians.

After a sensational series of initial matches, came the much awaited Grand Finale of IWPL. The initial matches recorded a win and a loss on the scorecard of each team. This added feathers of avidity on cap of IWPL finale. There were two semi finals (11 Over/Inning) slated for the day between Spartans vs. Red Sharks and Noble Bandits vs. Infi-Warriors, along with Final.

The early morning hours witnessed IWSBians readying the ground for the D-day. As the sun grew brighter, the audience made their stride to the ground to escalate the zeal of players. As the ground got ready for the match, the toss marked the commencement of first match between Spartans and Red Sharks.

Match 1
Red Sharks vs. Spartans

Red Sharks won the toss and decided to bat leaving Spartans with ball. Raghav and Rakesh started off well with Rakesh playing like a professional batsman. Manish tactfully got him caught by wicket keeper at 41. Amit at 45 not out followed the suit. Manish took 2 wickets accompanied by economical overs by MAK with a crucial run out of main batsman Vipin. Spartans were handed over target of 134.

Vipash and Rishab gave a phenomenal start to the inning and ended the whole game in their own style. Vipash made 38 until bowled by Raghav. The performance of Rishab vexed the Red Sharks who were at 68 not out. Hence Spartans took over Red Sharks and won the match by 9wickets. Rishab once again proved his all rounder streak by grabbing the man of the match award.

Match 2
Noble bandits vs. Infi warriors

The second match was flavoured with remarkable performance of Shweta and Shephali of Infi Warriors. The duo with a robust conviction scored 12 runs in first over. Then Vicky and Sameer took up the charge in which Vicky scored a spectacular unbeaten 91 runs. After departure of Sameer at 27, Gaurav Uppal took the charge and scored 30 to slap a huge target of 190 to the opponents.

A mammoth pressure surfaced on the determination of Noble Bandits. One didn’t require supernatural receptors to sense the monkey on their back. After trying painstakingly they managed to score 105 and then surrendered themselves to Infi Warriors’ bowlers. Anil Kamani, Sanket, Vicky and Sameer wiped off Noble bandits in their own fashion. Vicky of Infi Warriors was declared man of the match without giving any second thought to it.

Final Match
Spartans vs. Infi Warriors
The alacrity of the audiences rallied to a new height as the enthralling finale (16 Over/Inning) took its start. Spartans won the toss and chose to field first. At first Infi Warriors lost their two wickets early to Sumeet Sharma. Gaurav Uppal and Rahul Sikka tried to stabilize the innings till MAK got Uppal at 37. After that Vicky took the charge and tried to turn around the deteriorating might of Infi warriors. His seamless efforts too went in vain when MAK showed him the way to pavilion. The expectations came on the aura of Rahul Sikka and Varun. Then came the series departure of Varun, Rahul Bhatia and Pankaj by MAK (the fierce knight) and then Rahul Sikka was knocked off by Manish. At the end Infi Warriors managed to get a scribble 132 on scoreboard.

In reply Spartans started well but lost Rishab and then Vipash and Manish took off the innings from there. Manish got away after an impressive cameo by scoring 34. With departure of Manish and MAK following the suit, the cacophony broke out in Spartans camp. Vipash emerged out as the silver lining for the dark cloud hovering over Spartans who took control of the innings and scored unbeaten 69. At the end of the inning, Spartans got enough reasons to stand with their head held high. They recorded a victory over Infi Warriors by 7 wickets.

The final verdict decorated the crown on Spartans’s head.

Be it the captive dhol beats at every shot, teams players with flags of their teams dancing in air, photography sessions to woo comments rather compliments on FB profile, the sangfroid in myriads forms among IWSBians could be easily experienced from every vantage point.

The man of the match was accorded to MAK Pathan with Vipash rewarded as Man of the Series. Khusboo, who relentlessly recorded the scores bagged award for the same with Amit Kumar Mehta, getting possession of best wicket keeping award. Navneet Sir, who had been instrumental in the success of IWPL, was accorded with token of thanks. Infi warriors, the runner ups were being awarded a gold medal each. A Reebok watch to each Spartan complemented their regal golden trophy. One more event witnessed the IWSBians on cloud nine and the valedictory remark reads a cliché phrase “Sky is the Limit”.

Written By: MAK and Avinash(Members,Team Outreach)

A KALEIDOSCOPE OF MEMORIES