Robin Uthappa and captain Gautam Gambhir combined for an unbeaten 159-run partnership for the opening wickets as the India Maharajas trounced Asia Lions by 10 wickets in the fourth match of the ongoing Legends League Cricket (LLC) at West End Park International Cricket Stadium in Doha on March 14 (Tuesday). With this win, the Maharajas opened their account as Gambhir's men succumbed in their first two matches of the campaign.
Chasing a tricky target of 158 runs, Uthappa and Gambhir came out all gun blazing and completely dominated the proceedings in the second half of the match. The right-handed Uthappa was the aggressor but the left-handed Gambhir almost matched his opening batter every step of the way.
Uthappa whacked 11 fours and five sixes in his belligerent knock of 88 runs off 39 balls. The stylish right-handed batter registered a stunning strike rate of 225.64. Gambhir smashed 12 fours in his eye-catching knock of 61 runs off 36 balls and registered a strike rate of 169.44. With Maharajas' openers in vintage form, the team chased down the target in just 12.3 overs with 45 balls to spare.
Asia's bowling attack led by three Pakistan speedsters - Sohail Tanvir, Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Amir - had no answers to the masterclass displayed by the Maharajas' openers.
Earlier, Gambhir won the toss and elected to bowl first. The decision seemed to have backfired as Lions' openers Upul Tharanga (69 runs off 48 balls) and Tillakaratne Dilshan (32 runs off 27 balls) combined for a 73-run partnership and give their side a solid start. From 73/0 to 77/3, the Lions lost their way completely as India spinner bowled tremendously well. Abdul Razzaq (27 runs off 17 balls) played a brisk knock and propelled Asia's total to 157/5 in 20 overs.
For the Maharajas, Suresh Raina bagged two wickets while Harbhajan Singh, Pravin Tambe and Stuart Binny all bagged a wicket each.Â
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