Vultures crowned champions in Karnataka state inter-club T20 tourney

BENGALURU: The Karnataka State Cricket Association on Tuesday resumed action with the final of the 2019-2020 inter-club T20 tournament, which was postponed due to the pandemic. For players, barring those who took part in the Indian Premier League, it was the first competitive outing since March.
The long hiatus notwithstanding, the Vultures Cricket Club and Swastic Union Cricket Club were engaged in an exciting contest under overcast conditions at the M Chinnaswamy stadium.The Karun Nair-led Vultures were crowned champions, winning the contest by nine runs via the VJD method.
Given the long break, understandably, there was some rustiness in all departments. The players had to quickly get accustomed to the new playing conditions, with the bowlers controlling the urge to apply saliva on the ball and not handing their caps to the umpire before bowling.
Replying to Vultures 186/7, all-rounder K Gowtham’s (83, 30b, 4x4, 9x6) heroics went in vain as 24-year-old pacer Darshan MB returned a five-for to seal victory for his team.
Opting to chase on a batting strip, Swastic made early inroads with pacer MG Naveen (2/26) sending back Vultures’ opener Nitin Bhille in the third over. Skipper Karun Nair (53, 49b, 2x4, 2x6) and KL Shrijith (54, 35b, 5x4, 2x6) put together a 100-run partnership for the second wicket. Anirudha Joshi’s quick-fire 17-ball-41 (1x4, 5x6) propelled Vultures to a big total. For Swastic, Gowtham claimed 3 for 34 with his off spin, all of them coming in the last over.
In reply, Swastic were off to a shaky start, losing both openers R Samarth (12) and Karthik CA (17) within the first five overs. Gowtham then took over and attacked the bowlers and made the most of a lifeline offered after being dropped by Abhishek Ahlawat midway through his innings. Left-arm spinner J Suchith sent back Gowtham, caught by Karun the 13th over and that turned out to be a gamechanger as Darshan took over to complete the formalities.
Brief scores: Vultures Cricket Club: 186/7 in 20 overs (Karun Nair 53, Shrijith KL 54, Anirudha A Joshi 41; Naveen MG 2-26, K Gowtham 3-34) bt Swastic Union Cricket Club (1): 169 all out in 18.5 overs (K Gowtham 83; Darshan MB 5/28) by 9 runs (VJD method).