The Legends League Cricket (LLC) 2024 got off to an electrifying start as Shikhar Dhawan’s Gujarat Greats secured a thrilling 8-wicket victory over Urbanrisers Hyderabad at the Barkatullah Khan Stadium, Jodhpur. The match saw a stellar performance by Morne van Wyk, whose unbeaten 115 off 69 balls powered Gujarat to chase down a challenging total of 173 with three balls to spare.
Gujarat’s Commanding Chase
Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, Gujarat Greats found themselves chasing a competitive target of 173 set by Urbanrisers Hyderabad. The chase was anchored by van Wyk, whose magnificent century kept Gujarat’s innings on track. His 115*, studded with powerful boundaries, was the highlight of the match, earning him the well-deserved Player of the Match award.
Skipper Shikhar Dhawan, making his debut in the LLC, provided able support with a steady 21 off 20 balls. The opening partnership between Dhawan and van Wyk added 83 crucial runs, laying the foundation for Gujarat’s successful chase.
Urbanrisers Hyderabad bowlers struggled to contain van Wyk’s aggressive batting. Gurkeerat Singh Mann managed to dismiss Dhawan, but van Wyk remained unbeaten, guiding his team to victory with just three balls left.
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Urbanrisers Hyderabad’s Innings
Earlier, Urbanrisers Hyderabad put up a fighting total of 172/7 in their 20 overs. Opening the innings, Chadwick Walton and George Worker got off to a rocky start. Walton contributed 17 off 12 balls, while Worker made a quick 13 off 8 balls before falling to Shannon Gabriel. Their dismissal left Hyderabad struggling at 36/3 within 4.2 overs.
However, skipper Suresh Raina stabilized the innings with a composed knock of 44 from 27 balls. Raina was supported by Rikki Clarke (15 off 17), and the pair added 46 runs for the fourth wicket. Later in the innings, Gurkeerat Singh Mann chipped in with a handy 27 off 19 balls, while Peter Trego’s unbeaten 36 off 25 balls helped Urbanrisers post a competitive total.
For Gujarat Greats, the bowling attack was led by Liam Plunkett, Manan Sharma, and Seekkuge Prasanna, all of whom took crucial wickets. Shannon Gabriel also contributed with a wicket early in the innings.
Key Performances
- Morne van Wyk (Gujarat Greats): 115* off 69 balls (Player of the Match)
- Shikhar Dhawan (Gujarat Greats): 21 off 20 balls
- Suresh Raina (Urbanrisers Hyderabad): 44 off 27 balls
- Peter Trego (Urbanrisers Hyderabad): 36* off 25 balls
- Liam Plunkett (Gujarat Greats): Key wicket and economical bowling
The win gives Gujarat Greats an excellent start in the tournament, with van Wyk’s century setting the tone for their campaign. Urbanrisers Hyderabad, despite the loss, showed fighting spirit and will look to bounce back in their upcoming matches.
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