Teenage sensation Swastik Chikara continued his splendid form in the ongoing Uttar Pradesh T20 League 2024. On September 2 in the rain-curtailed game, he cleared the boundaries with ease smashing 10 sixes in his 27-ball 85 for Meerut Mavericks helping them beat Kashi Rudras by 50 runs (DLS method). Rinku Singh-led Meerut Mavericks registered their fifth win of the season and continued their reign at the top of the points table.
Chikara’s sensational show
Batting first, Meerut Mavericks lost opener Akshay Dubey for a two-ball duck to Shiva Singh. In the third over, Madhav Kaushik hit the first six of the innings. Chikara hit his first six in the fourth over. Against Sunil Kumar, he accelerated and hit two sixes and as many fours in the fifth over. He smashed Karan Chaudhary for four consecutive sixes and reached his half-century from 17 balls.
In the eighth over, he took the attacking route against Shivam Mavi. He hit a four and three consecutive sixes in the over before losing his wicket. Apart from 10 sixes, his 27-ball 85 also included four fours. In the final over, skipper Rinku departed for a golden duck to Sunil. Meerut Mavericks posted 118/3 in nine overs with Kaushik unbeaten for a 22-ball 28.
Rudas lose wickets in clusters
Chasing a revised target of 117, Shiva hit the first six of the innings off Yash Garg. In the second over, Vishal Chaudhary struck twice to dismiss Shiva and Karan Sharma. In the third over, Rajat Sanserwal struck twice as well. He dismissed Almas Shaukat and wicketkeeper-batter Shivam Bansal. In the fourth over, Prince Yadav fell to Chaudhary as Kashi Rudras lost half their side for 19 runs. In the same over, Mavi lost his wicket for a three-ball duck.
The run chase was beyond revival after the batting collapse of epic proportions. Deepanshu Yadav bowled a wicket-maiden. Aranav Baliyan got knocked over for a single-digit score. Yashovardhan entertained the crowd with his unbeaten 14-ball 28 cameo. He shared an unbeaten 33-run partnership for the eighth wicket prevented Kashi Rudras from getting bowled out. On the other end, Sunil remained not out for a run-a-ball 11. Kashi Rudras managed to post 66/7 on the board and lost the game by 50 runs.
Chikara’s run in tournament
Chikara was named ‘Player of the Match’ for his free flowing 87. In the ongoing UPT20 League, he is the second-highest run-scorer with 251 runs from six games including three half-centuries.
The teenager was in fine form in the previous season as well. He was called up by franchises to their camps. In the Indian Premier League (IPL) mini-auction, he was picked for his base price of Rs 20 lakh by Delhi Capitals (DC). However, he did not get to make his IPL debut.
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