Kolhapur thump CSK to make MPL playoffs

Pune, June 22, 2023: Kolhapur Tuskers thumped Chhatrapati Sambhaji Kings by 8 wickets and with 36 balls to spare to qualify for the playoffs in Shriram Capital Maharashtra Premier League (MPL) at the MCA International Stadium on Thursday afternoon.

The victory takes Kolhapur to six points (P4, W3, L1) (NRR: +0.474) and are third in the table. Eagle Nashik Titans (+1.000) and Ratnagiri Jets are (+0.590) are ahead on the Net Run Rate. Chhatrapati Sambhaji Kings, still winless after four games, cannot qualify for the playoffs and will face Solapur Royals in their final match.

Thursday afternoon’s game was a one-sided affair dominated by Kolhapur. They bundled out the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar outfit for 101 in 19.4 overs and cruised to the target for losing two wickets in just 14 overs.

Kolhapur’s stand-in skipper Nausad Shaikh won the toss and inserted the opposition, a spot-on decision on a sticky wicket. Left-arm pacer Atman Pore (1 for 25 in 4 overs) dismissed Saurabh Nawale on the first ball of the match for a golden duck. His opening partner Onkar Khatpe 0 (2b) was sent back to the pavilion by Nihal Tusamad in the next over. (1 for 4 in 2).

Om Bhosale 22 (22b, 3x4s, 1×6), Murtuza Trunkwala 32 (36b, 2x4s 1×6) and No. 10 Anand Thenge 18 (18b, 2x6s) were the only batters to reach double digits for CSK. The rest of the batting line-up was cleaned up by leggie Shreyas Chavan (4 for 20 in 4) and the left-arm spin duo of Akshay Darekar (2 for 12 in 4) and Siddharth Mhatre (2 for 8 in 2.4).

Shreyas Chavan bowled impeccably and picked up a wicket on the third ball of his each over. Bhosale was the first to go, stumped by Sahil Autade. Ranjit Nikam was castled on 6 off 8 balls followed by Harshal Kate on 5 (6b), caught by Mhatre. His final scalp was caught and bowled off CSK skipper Rajvardhan Hangargekar 7 (6b, 1×4).

CSK were 79 for 9 after 16 overs with the fall of Trunkwala. But Thenge’s late strikes helped them cross at least the three-figure mark.

The chase was never going to be tricky for Kolhapur, with regular skipper Kedar Jadhav 15 (12b, 1×4, 1×6) entering the field as an impact player for Shreyas Chavan. Along with Ankit Bawne 37 (33b, 5x4s, 1×6), Jadhav showed intent that he was in a hurry to finish the game early. However, he was castled by Hitesh Walunj (1 for 22 in 4) in the fourth over.

After Jadhav’s fall, Naushad Shaikh 28 (24b, 3x4s) and Bawne ensured that there were no hiccups and took the team closer to the target. Bawne was taken by surprise by a ball that held and spun away from him to hit the off stump by Tanesh Jain (1 for 22 in 3).

Sahil Autade 22 (15b, 1×4, 2x6s) then took Kolhapur home and into the playoffs with Shaikh without any fuss.

Brief scores: Chhatrapati Sambhaji Kings: 101 all out in 19.4 overs (Murtuza Trunkwala 32, Om Bhosale 22; Shreyas Chavan 4-20) lost to Kolhapur Tuskers: 102 for 2 in 14 (Ankit Bawne 37, Naushad Shaikh 28; Hitesh Walunj 1-22, Tanesh Jain 1-22) by 8 wickets.