Right then, Qualifier 1 and the Eliminator are now done and dusted but the day isn't over just yet as Qualifier 2, the big one is up next. Deccan Gladiators will take on Morrisville Samp Army at 10 pm IST (4.30 pm GMT) for a place in the final against New York Strikers. You can simply switch tabs and catch the build-up to that game right away.
Nicholas Pooran, the skipper of Deccan Gladiators is the Player of the Match for his unbelievable knock. He starts by thanking the Almighty and says he is extremely happy with his performance and that he could contribute to the victory. He adds by saying that the players are all experienced and have been in these situations before which helps take off the pressure. He concludes by saying that the team is looking forward to the second Qualifier and has prepared well to take on the Samp Army.
The Presentation ceremony...
Earlier in the game, Nicholas Pooran won the toss and put Bangla Tigers into bat. This decision seemed to be the right one as the bowlers of Deccan Gladiators were able to pick up wickets at regular intervals and had the Tigers reeling at 20/3 but Pathum Nissanka and Gulbadin Naib offered a decent fightback. The latter went on to complete a brilliant half-century and took his team to a defendable total. With the ball, Nuwan Thushara and Andre Russell were the pick of the bunch with a couple of wickets each. Coming to the chase, it was one-way traffic as Nicholas Pooran and Tom Kohler-Cadmore put away the opposition bowlers with disdain.
Bangla Tigers must have felt they were in the game with that flourish toward the end with the bat but it seems like they needed a fair few more runs to even trouble the opposition. It was a disastrous start with the ball as Daniel Sams was hit for a colossal 25 runs in the opening over and they never recovered from that. Over after over, the boundaries kept on flowing and the bowlers of Bangla Tigers had no answer. Apart from skipper Benny Howell who went for a mere 9 runs an over, everyone else went for at least 12 runs an over, with a couple of them in the 20s. A lot of promise before the match but their campaign ends with a thumping defeat.
Have you ever seen anything like that? The two-time reigning champions, Deccan Gladiators have come alive and made light work of Bangla Tigers here, saving a lot of energy for Qualifier 2 later on. This has been a show of might and power from Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Nicholas Pooran. The dynamic opening pair of Deccan Gladiators have put on a performance to remember and they aren't done yet. Pooran, who not only took his side to the trophy last season but was also named the Player of the Tournament was in a devastating mood as he hit 5 sixes in his innings of 70 unbeaten off just 25 balls striking at an unreal 280. TKC wasn't far behind though as he remained unbeaten on 43 off just 16 balls as well. They finished the job inside 7 overs and will now have their eyes set on Qualifier 2.
DECCAN GLADIATORS
114/0 (6.4)
70* (25)
43* (16)
0/13 (1)
0/14 (1)
Over 7
2
1
1
4
Nicholas Pooran*
70 (25)
Tom Kohler-Cadmore
43 (16)
Dominic Drakes
0/8 (0.4)
DG
114/0
4
6.4
Dominic Drakes to Nicholas Pooran ,FOUR! That is the end of the game and Deccan Gladiators have made a mockery of this run chase. They have managed to chase down the total of 113 in just 6.4 overs without losing any wicket. Dominic Drakes bangs it short outside the off stump and Nicholas Pooran lofts it over the short third man for another boundary to bring the chase to a close. Its the Deccan Gladiators who move forward on the road to Finale.
1
6.3
Dominic Drakes to Tom Kohler-Cadmore ,Slower on the off stump line, Tom Kohler-Cadmore cuts it well to the deep cover region for a single.
1
6.2
Dominic Drakes to Nicholas Pooran ,Pitched up straight on the stumps. Nicholas Pooran flicks the ball towards mid-wicket and takes a single.
2
6.1
Dominic Drakes to Nicholas Pooran ,Outside the off, a dab shorter on length, Nicholas Pooran bangs it hard to the long off fielder who does well to keep it to a couple of runs.
Over 6
4nb
1
0
0
1
1
1
Nicholas Pooran*
63 (22)
Tom Kohler-Cadmore
42 (15)
Benny Howell
0/9 (1)
DG
106/0
1
5.6
Benny Howell to Nicholas Pooran ,Pitched up on the stumps. Nicholas Pooran flicks the ball into the mid-wicket gap and runs a single to keep strike.
1
5.5
Benny Howell to Tom Kohler-Cadmore ,Straighter onto the stumps, Tom Kohler-Cadmore gently works it across to the forward square leg region for a single.
1
5.4
Benny Howell to Nicholas Pooran ,just short on the stumps. Nicholas Pooran punches the ball to deep mid-wicket for a single.
0
5.3
Benny Howell to Nicholas Pooran ,Drifted into Nicholas Pooran. Great delivery from the off stump line coming into the batter. Nicholas Pooran swings the bat and misses.
0
5.2
Benny Howell to Nicholas Pooran ,Pitched up on the stumps. Nicholas Pooran comes down and taps it back to the bowler.
1
5.1
Benny Howell to Tom Kohler-Cadmore ,Banged it shorter outside the line of off, Tom Kohler-Cadmore cuts it in the air towards the long off fielder for a single.
4nb
5.1
Benny Howell to Tom Kohler-Cadmore ,NO BALL and FOUR! That is a disaster from a spinner. NO BALL! Pitches it up outside the off stump line and Tom Kohler-Cadmore crunches the ball through covers for another boundary. Free Hit coming up.