India Maharajas bounced back from consecutive losses in the Legends League Cricket (LLC) 2023 to win by a massive 10-wicket margin against table-toppers Asia Lions in match no. 3 on Tuesday (March 14) night at the Asian Town Cricket Stadium in Doha. Half-centuries from Robin Uthappa and skipper Gautam Gambhir propelled the Maharajas to victory over Shahid Afridi’s Lions.
With Uthappa scoring an unbeaten 88 off 39 balls with 11 boundaries and five sixes and Gambhir scoring an unbeaten 61 off 36 balls with 12 boundaries, the duo put on a 159-run opening stand to guide the team through to their first win.
Having chosen to field first, India Maharajas limited Asia Lions to 157 for 5 in 20 overs. Upul Tharanga hit 69 off 48 balls with seven boundaries and two sixes for Asia Lions, while Tillakaratne Dilshan hit 32 off 27 balls with four boundaries and a six. They put on 73 runs in 8.4 overs as an opening partnership, but it was in vain.
To begin, the India Maharajas bowled their left-arm pacer Irfan Pathan, who conceded only three runs in the first over. When wicketkeeper Robin Uthappa dropped Tharanga at 21, he escaped being caught behind to an outside edge to the third delivery.
Asia Lions were 76 for 2 at the halfway point, with Misbah-ul-Haq, the hero of their first two matches, joining Tharanga. Pravin Tambe claimed Misbah, who was brilliantly stumped by wicketkeeper Uthappa for a duck. Abdul Razzaq ensured Asia Lions scored more than 150 runs. Finally, they finished with a total of 157/5 in 20 overs.
The India Maharajas, on the other hand, were brutal in pursuit of the target, led by the consistent scorer and skipper Gautam Gambhir and in-form Robin Uthappa. The two scored 61 runs in 36 balls and 88 runs in 39 balls, respectively to take the team through.
Brief scores: Asia Lions 157 for 5 in 20 overs
(Upul Tharanga 69, Tillakaratne Dilshan 32, Abdul Razzaq 27 not out, Suresh Raina 2/16) lost to India Maharajas 159/0 in 12.3 overs (Robin Uthappa 88 n.o., Gautam Gambhir 61 n.o.)
Here is how Twitter reacted to India Maharajas’ win
We've seen these two bashing bowlers together before, haven't we?
— Atrajit Roy (@AtrajitRoy84) March 14, 2023
Old days when KKR HAS THESE TWO OPENERS,???
— DJOKER?? (@AniketN_79) March 14, 2023
Gambhir At This Age Better Opener Than RoFat
— Rizz ?? (@SpideyPant17) March 14, 2023
Lag hi Nai raha yeh gambhir retire hua hai , top class batting
— Rj Himanshu (@himanshuhb88) March 14, 2023
GG would have been perfect choice to lead LSG
— Sam (@sameers55822307) March 14, 2023
@ArtRay_713 @AJLP78 uthappa was so good today! Would have loved to have him for a couple more seasons @ChennaiIPL
— If you know me IRL, stay away!! (@aCskFan) March 14, 2023
why did Robbie took retirement from IPL he could play more for CSK ?
— Robin Singh Pawar (@robin__singh__) March 15, 2023
Uthappa and Gambhir bashing opponents. We have seen this before in IPL
— Kisslay Jha?? (@KisslayJha) March 14, 2023
LSG should open with him instead of kl rahul
— Sanjeev McIntyre (@BurnItDownSan) March 14, 2023
Captain Gautam Gambhir leading from the front – his 3rd consecutive fifty in the Legends League Cricket
Meanwhile Gambhir to Dhoni: pic.twitter.com/7A5TehaVfS
— ? (@SarcasticCowboy) March 14, 2023
