Published on August 6
GUWAHATI: Cricket is often described as a team game, but every now and then an individual produces a performance that stands above the rest. That was the case on Thursday as Jorhat Stallions captain Swarupam Purkayastha played one of the finest innings of the Assam Premier League, remaining unbeaten on 99 to guide his side to a commanding victory over Barak Legends.
Chasing a challenging target of 171, Purkayastha led from the front and made what appeared to be a competitive chase look remarkably comfortable. Anchoring the innings from the top of the order, he carried his bat throughout and steered the Stallions home with 10 balls to spare. With the unbeaten 99, Purkayastha now holds the record for the highest individual score in the tournament so far. He also registered the fastest half-century of the Assam Premier League, reaching the milestone in just 26 deliveries.
Having won the toss and opted to bat, Barak Legends were given a flying start by Bishal Saha, who struck a fluent 71 off 60 balls studded with four boundaries and as many sixes. Skipper Sibsankar Roy chipped in with a quickfire 45 off just 26 deliveries at a strike rate of over 173, while Aman Singh's 29 kept the scoreboard ticking in the middle overs. The trio scored the bulk of the runs for the Legends to ensure they maintained a healthy scoring rate.
However, the Legends lost momentum in the closing stages, losing three wickets between the 17th and 20th overs, including both Saha and Roy, to finish on 170/4 in their allotted 20 overs. Abhilash Gogoi, Rajjak Uddin Ahmed, Rajdeep Handique and Bishal Newar claimed a wicket each for the Stallions.
In reply, Jorhat Stallions made an aggressive start through wicketkeeper Erik Roy, who hammered 41 off 26 balls, including five fours and two sixes. Roy and Purkayastha put together a 82-run opening stand. The duo produced 61-0 inside the powerplay, the highest opening partnership in the first six overs of the tournament.
After Roy was dismissed by Mohit Thakur in the ninth over, Purkayastha continued to dominate proceedings. He shared another crucial 83-run stand for the second wicket with Rajveer Singh, who played the perfect supporting role before departing in the 18th over.
Purkayastha's magnificent unbeaten 99 came off just 58 balls and featured 11 boundaries and four sixes. Abhilash Gogoi then chipped in with an unbeaten nine off four deliveries as he and Purkayastha completed the chase in style, taking Jorhat Stallions to victory in 18.2 overs.
Brief Scores:
Barak Legends: 170/4 in 20 overs (Bishal Saha 71, Sibsankar Roy 45, Aman Singh 29; Abhilash Gogoi 1/11, Rajdeep Handique 1/29, Bishal Newar 1/36)
Jorhat Stallions: 174/2 in 18.2 overs (Swarupam Purkayastha 99 no, Erik Roy 41, Rajveer Singh 20; Mohit Thakur 1/23, Saurav Dey 1/23).
PHOTO CAPTION: Swarupam hitting a boundary during his unbeaten knock of 99 runs: Photo: Subhamoy Bhattacharjee