KOLKATA: Lux Shyam Kolkata Tigers put up a commanding show to record a 21-run victory against Servotech Siliguri Strikers in the Bengal Pro T20 League at the Eden Gardens on Monday night.
The Tigers got a good start when skipper Abhishek Porel and Karan Lal put on 68 runs for the opening wicket inside the first 10 overs. The Strikers’ skipper Ritwik Roy Chowdhury deserved credit for upholding the ‘spirit of cricket’ when he called back Porel after the wicketkeeper-batter was declared run out that came about after an obstruction. While Porel got 40, Lal scored 53 off 43 balls with three fours and two sixes.
Sandeep Tomar played a quickfire 33-ball unbeaten 36 that helped the Tigers put up a challenging 151 for two in 20 overs.
The Strikers never got going losing wickets at regular intervals.
Bengal pacer Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal bagged two wickets for the Strikers.
While pacers Ananta Saha and Sayan Ghosh provided early breakthroughs by dismissing openers Abhishek Raman and Ankur Paul, Akash Pandey claimed two wickets late in the innings. But it was a great comeback for Saurabh Srivastav, who after dropping an easy catch off Tarun Godara picked up both Godara (32) and Ritwik (15).
India pacer Akash Deep played an entertaining knock of 34 runs off just 16 balls with four huge sixes and a boundary late in the innings. But his late heroics with the bat were not enough as Siliguri Strikers fell short and were bowled out for 130 in 19.5 overs.
