Falcon Risers Hyderabad secured a nail-biting victory over Tiigers of Kolkata by just one run during the latest fixture of the Indian Street Premier League (ISPL) Season 2 at the Dadoji Kondadev Stadium.
The match, which unfolded on Friday, showcased thrilling moments and remarkable bowling displays. Batting first, Hyderabad struggled to maintain their momentum after a promising start, eventually finishing their innings at 62 runs for 9 wickets. Their bowlers, on the other hand, rose to the occasion, successfully restricting Kolkata to just 61 runs for 8 wickets.
Kolkata’s decision to bowl first after winning the toss seemed wise as they capitalized on Hyderabad's batting collapse. The Falcons had begun strongly, with star opener Kisan Satpute sending the ball flying to all corners of the ground. Over the first couple of overs, Hyderabad’s score climbed to over 20 runs. Satpute’s aggressive innings, unfortunately, didn’t last long enough to set up a strong total.
Opener Padmesh Mhatre was the first to be dismissed, caught by Subhajit Jana Dhoni at the boundary when he attempted to blast Kolkata pacer Firas Mohammed over the long-on fence. Just moments later, Hyderabad's troubles multiplied as Mansoor KL handed Firas another wicket, leaving the batting orders under pressure and forcing them to push for runs against well-disciplined bowling from Kolkata.
Vicky Bhoir emerged as the star for Hyderabad, delivering an outstanding bowling performance, grabbing four wickets and conceding just six runs. His efforts were instrumental as the Kolkata batters struggled to chase the low target. The Tiigers began their innings cautiously, but soon faced significant obstacles, leading to a batting collapse.
With Kolkata needing seven runs off the final over, the pressure proved too much for the batters. They faltered under the weight of expectation, and as the scoreboard reflected the tension, the Falcons celebrated their well-earned victory.
Earlier this evening, Srinagar Ke Veer faced Majhi Mumbai, ending the latter’s undefeated streak with their exciting seven-wicket triumph. Led by explosive performances from Dilip Binjwa, who stood out with his batting, Srinagar successfully chased down 114 runs and clinched the match with four balls remaining.
Majhi Mumbai, previously dominant this season and the first to qualify for the playoffs, stumbled as they arrived at the crease. Their batting efforts fell short against Srinagar’s effective strategies and prowess, marking the first defeat for Mumbai.
The ISPL Season 2 continues to deliver thrilling moments as teams vie for the championship, and matches have been airing live on Star Sports 1 and Disney+ Hotstar.