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Harbhajan Singh-led Manipal Tigers reached the Legends League Cricket 2023 final with a six-wicket win over Gautam Gambhir-led India Capitals at Lalabhai Contractor Stadium, Surat on December 7. Mitchell McClenaghan and Thisara Perera took three wickets each to restrict India Capitals to 177/9. Contributions from Chadwick Walton, Angelo Perera, Asela Gunaratne, and Colin de Grandhomme helped the Manipal Tigers chase the target down with six wickets in hand and eight balls to spare.
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Earlier, skipper Harbhajan won the toss and opted to bowl first. Gambhir was dismissed cheaply as he was run out in the third over. Kirk Edwards could not continue to hit big and departed for 18-ball 24. McClenaghan got into the act and dismissed Bharat Chipli for 11-ball 16. Perera was introduced into the attack with the wicket of Ricardo Powell. In the eighth over, the Capitals lost four wickets for 68 runs.
Pietersen and Ben Dunk shared a 69-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Pietersen scored 56 runs from 27 balls featuring two fours and five sixes. Perera struck twice to dismiss Dunk and Ashley Nurse. Ishwar Pandey and KP Appanna departed for a single-digit score in the slog overs. Isuru Udana pushed the scoring rate with an unbeaten 13-ball 26. India Capitals managed to post 177/9 on the board.
In the run chase, Chadwick Walton attacked in the powerplay overs. Dilhara Fernando broke the opening partnership in the fifth over. Walton scored 33 runs from 18 balls. Mohammad Kaif failed to make a mark and fell victim to Fidel Edwards. Pandey struck as well with the wicket of Amit Verma. Angelo scored 35 runs from 27 balls to keep the required run rate in check.
Gunaratne and Grandhomme's unbeaten 57-run partnership got Manipal Tigers over the line with eight balls to spare. Gunaratne's 25-ball 39 included three fours and one six. The Kiwi all-rounder hit four fours and one six in his 24-ball 38. Nurse was the most expensive bowler as he conceded 48 runs from his quota of four overs.
Manipal Tigers will now take on Suresh Raina-led Urbanisers Hyderabad in the final on December 9. They registered a massive 75-run win over Manipal Tigers in the first qualifier, courtesy of Dwayne Smith's 120-run knock.
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