SSS VS GJG MATCH 4

Right then, that wraps up yet another thrilling cricket encounter in the Legends League Cricket, 2024! The Southern Super Stars have made a strong start to the tournament, securing a well-earned victory and handing the Gujarat Greats their first defeat. The excitement of Legends League Cricket, 2024 will roll on with Match 5 after a day's break, where the Southern Super Stars will be back in action, this time facing off against the India Capitals on September 25th. The match is scheduled to kick off at 7 pm IST (1.30 pm GMT), but make sure to tune in early for all the pre-match build-up and excitement. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

The skipper of the Southern Super Stars, Dinesh Karthik says that they knew that they would come into the game after Powerplay. Shares that he held Pawan Negi and Kedar Jadhav back to maximize their impact when the pressure was rising. Lauds Chaturanga de Silva for using the pitch well with the ball and says that it looked like de Silva was batting on a different surface. Mentions that it was good to be back. Further says that the keeping was a bit rusty but he felt good with the bat and is happy that the team won.

Chaturanga de Silva is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his outstanding unbeaten knock of 53 runs off 28 balls and for the prized wicket of Shikhar Dhawan with the ball in hand. He says he wanted to just build the inning and rotate the strike with DK and mentions that it was tough with the ball gripping and bouncing. Adds that he is used to batting at number 6 and he enjoyed his contributions in the game.

The captain of the Gujarat Greats, Shikhar Dhawan, reflects on the match by saying that he should have bowled his off-spinner towards the back end of their bowling effort. Feels that the batters failed to show the required patience on this wicket. Shares that they knew it would turn more as the ball got older and their plan was to capitalize during the Powerplay. Opines that such surfaces truly test a player's skill. Ends by expressing gratitude to the crowd for their support.

It's time for the Presentation Ceremony...

Earlier in the game, after opting to bowl first, Gujarat Greats started poorly, with their pacers struggling in the Powerplay. However, the introduction of spinners, particularly Manan Sharma, turned the tide. Despite a solid start, Martin Guptill and Hamilton Masakadza fell while trying to accelerate, leading to a dramatic collapse. Manan was exceptional, claiming 6 wickets for just 17 runs as the Southern Super Stars fell apart. However, a brilliant innings from Chaturanga de Silva towards the end shifted momentum. At 88/8, the Super Stars seemed destined to struggle below 100, but de Silva’s fighting knock, combined with a crucial 9th-wicket partnership of 56 runs with Suranga Lakmal, propelled them to a competitive total of 144 runs which was the difference in the game eventually. While the result may not have gone his team's way, it was a memorable day for Manan, who became the first player in Legends League Cricket history to take five wickets or more in an inning.

Once that crucial wicket fell, things spiralled out of control for the Gujarat Greats. The spinners tightened their grip, making batting extremely challenging. The pressure to score resulted in a flurry of wickets, causing a dramatic collapse from 63/0 to 115/9, ultimately falling 26 runs short. Kedar Jadhav, Pawan Negi and Abdur Razzak collectively applied the squeeze in the middle phase with Negi claiming 3 and Razzak taking 2 wickets respectively to seal a remarkable victory for their team.

The introduction of Kedar Jadhav provided immediate relief for Dinesh Karthik and the Super Stars, as Jadhav claimed the struggling Morne with his very first delivery, offering a much-needed breakthrough. Shortly after, Lendl Simmons' crucial run-out further opened the door for the Super Stars to stage a potential comeback. The spinners then tightened their grip, making run-scoring difficult for Gujarat, resulting in a couple more wickets, including the prized scalp of Shikhar Dhawan who fell on 52 off 48 balls.

After a slightly shaky start from Shikhar Dhawan, where he appeared restless for three consecutive balls in the first over, one clean connection was all it took to set his rhythm perfectly. Dhawan and Morne van Wyk then launched a fierce attack early in the chase, seamlessly continuing their form from the previous game. Dhawan adopted an aggressive approach, while Morne, appearing fatigued, played a more restrained role, helping guide the partnership to 57 runs without loss by the end of the Powerplay.

The Southern Super Stars kick off the tournament with an impressive 26-run victory! What a stunning turnaround by the Super Stars as they clawed their way back to seal a game that seemed all but lost at one stage. The Gujarat Greats will be kicking themselves for letting this one slip after such a promising start to their chase.

A single to end the game! A job well done by the Southern Super Stars to get their campaign off to a winning start. This is on a good length, on off, Liam Plunkett lofts it down the ground and hits it flat to the left of long on where the fielder mops it up. Southern Super Stars win by 26 runs!

Bhati gets the yorker in, on off, Liam Plunkett jams it out back to the bowler.

Slower and into the wicket, on off, Sreesanth mistimes the pull in front of deep mid-wicket for one.

Full and angling in, around leg, Sreesanth swings through the line but connects with thin air.

Full and near the tramline on off, Sreesanth reaches out to go up and over on the off side but misses.

A valiant effort but in vain! Bhati bangs it into the deck, on off, Liam Plunkett looks to pull it away but gets rushed in his shot and skies it high off the bottom part of the bat. It loops up towards cover-point where Kedar Jadhav runs across to his right and sticks out his right hand but the ball does not stick in his outstretched right palm and it drops down for a single.

Sreesanth is the last man to walk out to bat for Gujarat Greats.