146/1 (13.5)
CR : 10.55
142/8 (20.0)
CR : 7.10
Meerut Mavericks won by 9 wickets 🏆
Player of the Match
Swastik Chikara
97(46)*
Fantastic Fours of the Match: Swastik Chikara
Maximum Sixes of the Match: Swastik Chikara
Karn Sharma, the seasoned veteran from Uttar Pradesh, who represented India in 1 Test, 2 ODIs and 1 T20I, has announced his retirement from all formats of the game. He will step onto the field for one final time on Tuesday as a player. His farewell match will see him take on the Meerut Mavericks on Tuesday afternoon, August 25.
Karn Sharma (Kanpur Superstars): "(On the UP cricket) It is actually a very good initiative. For me and others, it is a good opportunity. The message is that I just want to retire (voice became choked). I will be playing my last game on Tuesday and I will be retiring from all formats.
(Is anything there you want to express?) To all those who supported me, I just want to say thanks.
(Anybody you want to specifically name) My family, BCCI, Railway, UPCA, Andhra- all those who have supported me in this journey, I am really grateful. I will be available for coaching and all after this."
(Is anything there you want to express?) To all those who supported me, I just want to say thanks.
(Anybody you want to specifically name) My family, BCCI, Railway, UPCA, Andhra- all those who have supported me in this journey, I am really grateful. I will be available for coaching and all after this."
Rinku Singh (Meerut Mavericks Captain): "(On Karn Sharma's career) He had a brilliant career. He had a great time playing for India and in the IPL. A great career.
(On Swastik Chikara) Yes he played a really good knock. At times, it happens and at times, it does not. We had a chat with the batters prior to the match about how to apply. That reflected on his batting.
(Are you happy with your bowlers?) Yes they are doing well in every games. Be it spinners, be it medium pacers, they are doing very well.
(Anything you want to tell about Karn Sharma?) I want to say that everything has been great in bhaiya's career. He played well for franchise, for India. I wish him good luck for his future endeavors."
(On Swastik Chikara) Yes he played a really good knock. At times, it happens and at times, it does not. We had a chat with the batters prior to the match about how to apply. That reflected on his batting.
(Are you happy with your bowlers?) Yes they are doing well in every games. Be it spinners, be it medium pacers, they are doing very well.
(Anything you want to tell about Karn Sharma?) I want to say that everything has been great in bhaiya's career. He played well for franchise, for India. I wish him good luck for his future endeavors."
Player of the Match: Swastik Chikara
Swastik Chikara (POTM and also the Orange Cap holder currently): "(On wrapping up the chase so quickly) The team got a very good start, so the idea was to maintain a good run rate and finish the match as quickly as possible.
(Mindset while building today's innings) Yes, I started getting that feeling because the drive felt really good, and then the pull came immediately after that. That gave me a lot of confidence. After that, the boundaries just kept coming, and it felt really good.
(On backing his instincts) Of course, I respect all the bowlers. Everyone bowls well. But the thought in my mind was simply not to miss out on bad balls. It was a red-soil wicket, so the plan was that whenever I got a bad ball, I would play my shot and try to score as many runs as possible.
(On analysing the conditions while batting) I pay full attention to it. I observe everything and go in with a complete plan. Mostly, I just wait for a bad ball so I can play my shot. That's what I'm always waiting for.
(Rating tonight's knock) Every innings is special, by God's grace. I'm very happy, and hopefully I can keep playing innings like this.
(About Karn Sharma's retirement announcement) Karn bhai has had a fantastic career. He has been very lucky for everyone, and whichever team he has played for, that team has gone on to become champions. He’s a very good person and has played excellent cricket. He has played for India and achieved so much. I'm very happy that his retirement happened in front of me today and that I got to witness it. Having such a big player playing alongside us is a very special thing for me. So, thank you — I don't really know what more I can say."
(Mindset while building today's innings) Yes, I started getting that feeling because the drive felt really good, and then the pull came immediately after that. That gave me a lot of confidence. After that, the boundaries just kept coming, and it felt really good.
(On backing his instincts) Of course, I respect all the bowlers. Everyone bowls well. But the thought in my mind was simply not to miss out on bad balls. It was a red-soil wicket, so the plan was that whenever I got a bad ball, I would play my shot and try to score as many runs as possible.
(On analysing the conditions while batting) I pay full attention to it. I observe everything and go in with a complete plan. Mostly, I just wait for a bad ball so I can play my shot. That's what I'm always waiting for.
(Rating tonight's knock) Every innings is special, by God's grace. I'm very happy, and hopefully I can keep playing innings like this.
(About Karn Sharma's retirement announcement) Karn bhai has had a fantastic career. He has been very lucky for everyone, and whichever team he has played for, that team has gone on to become champions. He’s a very good person and has played excellent cricket. He has played for India and achieved so much. I'm very happy that his retirement happened in front of me today and that I got to witness it. Having such a big player playing alongside us is a very special thing for me. So, thank you — I don't really know what more I can say."
Meerut Mavericks make it 5 wins out of 5 matches in the league so far and are playing in a different league altogether. They are placed right at the top of the points table and truly deserve to be there. Whereas Kanpur Superstars need to figure things out quickly if they want to make something out of their remaining matches.
Tonight we were treated to some delightful yet dominating T20 batting from the bat of Swastik Chikara, and completely bossed the chase to make the Superstars pay for their laid-back bowling. Today, both matches were played on the red soil, and in both instances, the chasing team completely outplayed the other team, displaying some fine T20 chases.
THAT IS IT from today's match, and this is me, Abhishek Sharma, signing off on behalf of my co-commentator Saptak Sanyal and our scorer/analyst Sachin Yadav. But the cricketing action always continues on Crickxo; until then, GOOD NIGHT & TAKE CARE!!!