NEW DELHI: The Gujarat Giants emerged victorious in a nail-biting encounter against the Bhilwara Kings, securing a thrilling three-run win in the Legends League Cricket (LLC). Lendl Simmons’ valiant effort, falling just one run short of a century, proved insufficient as the Giants defended a target of 173 till the last ball of the match.
Opting to field after winning the toss, the Bhilwara Kings faced the onslaught of Chris Gayle‘s explosive knock in the first inning.Despite Gayle’s onslaught, the Gujarat Giants managed to post a competitive total of 172/6 in their allotted twenty overs, with contributions from various batsmen, including a crucial partnership between Abhishek Jhunjhunwala and Chirag Khurana.

In response, the Bhilwara Kings began their chase with openers Solomon Mire and Tillakaratne Dilshan falling early. However, a resilient partnership between Lendl Simmons and Robin Bist added stability to the innings. Simmons, in particular, displayed exceptional form, reaching his half-century in 34 balls. The Bhilwara Kings’ chase faced setbacks with the fall of key wickets, including Yusuf Pathan and skipper Irfan Pathan.
Despite Simmons’ heroics, the Giants bowlers, led by Sreesanth’s composed last-over performance, successfully defended the 14 runs needed for victory. The Bhilwara Kings concluded their innings at 167/7, falling just short of the target. Simmons finished unbeaten on a remarkable 99 runs, hitting 12 boundaries and three sixes in his 61-ball stay.

Rayad Emrit and Ishwar Chaudhary were the standout performers with the ball for the Giants, each clinching two wickets. The Gujarat Giants’ collective effort in both batting and bowling secured a memorable win, showcasing the competitiveness and excitement of the Legends League Cricket tournament.
(With inputs from IANS)