Published on Aug 3
GUWAHATI: Charaideo Sunrisers produced a clinical all-round performance to register their second victory in the Assam Premier League, defeating Tezpur Titans by seven wickets at the ACA Stadium, Barsapara, on Monday.
After restricting Tezpur Titans to 128/9 in their allotted 20 overs through disciplined bowling and sharp fielding, Charaideo chased down the target comfortably in just 15.4 overs, winning with 26 balls to spare.
Invited to bat first, Tezpur Titans made a brisk start as openers Wasim Akram Haque and Dibash Hazarika added 17 runs in the first two overs. Wasim looked in fine touch, scoring a quickfire 27 off 18 deliveries, before a moment of brilliance from Charaideo skipper and wicketkeeper Sumit Ghadigaonkar turned the game.
Ghadigaonkar produced a sensational run-out, diving to his leg side to collect the ball before releasing an accurate throw to the striker's end to catch Wasim short of his crease. The dismissal shifted the momentum firmly in Charaideo's favour.
From that point onwards, Charaideo's bowlers maintained relentless pressure by consistently hitting the right areas, while their fielders backed them up with an energetic display. Roshan Topno contributed 18 runs and skipper Nihar Deka made 21, but regular wickets prevented Tezpur from building any meaningful partnerships. Avijit Roy looked set to provide a late flourish before retiring hurt on 17, while Danish Ahmed chipped in with 20. However, Tezpur never managed to accelerate and finished with a below-par 128/9.
Dibakar Johori starred with the ball for Charaideo Sunrisers, returning impressive figures of 3/13 in three overs to dismantle the middle and lower order. He received excellent support from Mayukh Hazarika, Abinash Phukan and Amlan Jyoti Das, who claimed a wicket each.
In reply, Charaideo suffered an early setback when their previous match hero, Pradyun Saikia, was dismissed cheaply. However, Kirti Azad Yadav and skipper Sumit Ghadigaonkar steadied the innings with a commanding 71-run partnership for the second wicket, putting the chase firmly under control.
Ghadigaonkar led from the front with a fluent 36 off 27 deliveries, striking five boundaries, while Kirti played the perfect supporting role with a composed 35 off 35 balls. Their partnership effectively took the game away from Tezpur despite Charaideo losing a couple of wickets around the halfway stage.
Hrishikesh Tamuli remained unbeaten on 20, while Dipak finished the chase in style with an unbeaten 19 off just 11 balls, including two fours and a six, as Charaideo reached 132/3 with ease.
For Tezpur Titans, Ayushman Malakar was the most successful bowler with figures of 2/22, while Wasim Akram Haque claimed the other wicket. However, the target proved too modest as Charaideo Sunrisers sealed a convincing seven-wicket victory to continue their impressive campaign with a second successive win.
Brief Scores:
Tezpur Titans: 128/9 in 20 overs (Wasim Akram Haque 27, Nihar Deka 21, Danish Ahmed 20; Dibakar Johori 3/13, Amlan Jyoti Das 1/21, Mayukh Hazarika 1 wicket, Abinash Phukan 1 wicket).
Charaideo Sunrisers: 132/3 in 15.4 overs (Sumit Ghadigaonkar 36, Kirti Azad Yadav 35, Hrishikesh Tamuli 20*; Ayushman Malakar 2/22, Wasim Akram Haque 1/27).
PHOTO CAPTIO: Sumit Ghadigaonkar playing a shot at the leg side. IMAGE COURTESY: Assam Cricket Association.

Dibrugarh win tense battle against Barpeta
GUWAHATI, Aug. 3: Dibrugarh Warriors survived a late scare to register a three-wicket victory over Barpeta Braves in a low-scoring 2nd game of the Assam Premier League clash at the ACA Stadium here today.
Set a target of just 91, Dibrugarh looked in trouble almost immediately after both openers, Ronit Akhtar and Parvej Musaraf, were dismissed without scoring, leaving the scoreboard reading 2 for 2. The early blows, however, were absorbed by Diwij Pathak and Rituraj Biswas, who rebuilt the innings with a crucial 47-run stand for the third wicket.
Pathak anchored the chase with a patient 32 off 41 deliveries, while Biswas chipped in with 16 to put Dibrugarh in control. Just when the contest appeared to be slipping away from Barpeta, the dismissal of the well-set pair sparked a dramatic collapse as wickets tumbled in quick succession.
With the pressure mounting, Dibrugarh skipper Saahil Jain produced a composed unbeaten 20 off 16 balls to steer his side home in 17.5 overs with three wickets in hand and seven deliveries to spare.
Barpeta pacer Subham Kumar Gupta emerged as the chief architect of the fightback, finishing with outstanding figures of 4 for 17, but his efforts ultimately went in vain.
Earlier, Barpeta Braves failed to make the most of the opportunity after opting to bat first, folding for just 90 in 19.1 overs. Opener Kabir Hasan was the lone batter to offer meaningful resistance, scoring 29 off 30 balls with four boundaries. Rajesh Prasad remained unbeaten on 17 to push the total to 90 after the middle order struggled against disciplined bowling.
Dibrugarh's bowlers kept things tight throughout the innings, with Doikho Das leading the attack brilliantly. His spell of 3 for 13 put Barpeta on the back foot early and ensured the Braves never managed to build any substantial partnerships, laying the foundation for Dibrugarh's hard-earned win.