Lucknow: Adarsh Singh’s century in vain as Kanpur Superstars lose to Gorakhpur Lions
Adarsh Singh’s Performance
Adarsh Singh of the Kanpur Superstars recorded the first century of the UPT20 League Season 4, scoring an unbeaten 101 runs off just 54 deliveries. His innings included three boundaries and nine sixes. Despite this significant individual achievement, the Superstars were defeated by the Gaur Gorakhpur Lions in a rain-affected match at the Ekana International Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.
This century marked Adarsh’s third overall in the history of the UP T20 League, having previously scored two hundreds in the last season, both against the Kashi Rudras. He currently leads the run-scoring chart in the current season with 275 runs from seven matches, which includes one century and one half-century.
Adarsh expressed that while scoring the first century of the season felt special, it would have been more meaningful if it had contributed to a victory for his team. He noted that the rain-shortened game might have provided the opposition with a better opportunity, which they capitalized on.
Match Details and Outcome
The Gaur Gorakhpur Lions secured a three-wicket victory over the Kanpur Superstars using the DLS method. After winning the toss, Gorakhpur opted to field first. Adarsh, who played for India in the 2024 U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup, dominated the Gorakhpur bowling attack from the start.
Adarsh’s powerful hitting propelled the Kanpur Superstars to 150/2 in 15.4 overs before heavy rain caused a prolonged interruption. When play resumed, the target for the Lions was revised to 121 runs from 10 overs. The Lions began their chase aggressively, reaching 73/4 in five overs, largely due to a rapid start from opener Abhay Pratap Singh, who scored 33 runs off 17 deliveries.
Momentum slowed for Gorakhpur, leaving them needing 23 runs from the final 12 balls. Nishant Kushwah then shifted the game’s direction by scoring 17 runs off pacer Vineet Panwar in the penultimate over. In the final over, bowled by Ajay Kumar, Gorakhpur needed six runs. After conceding two singles and dismissing Shivam Sharma, Ajay Kumar delivered consecutive wides, bringing the scores level. Kushwah then hit a boundary to seal the win with two balls remaining.
Superstars’ Struggles and Future Outlook
This defeat marked the Kanpur Superstars’ sixth loss in seven matches, leaving them at the bottom of the points table with only two points from one win. In contrast, the Gorakhpur Lions registered their third victory. Despite being on the losing side, Adarsh was named Player of the Match for his performance.
When asked about the team’s poor standing, Adarsh highlighted the need for improved team bonding and consistency. He emphasized that the team needs both batting and bowling to perform well in the same game to secure victories. He also advised his teammates to play their natural game.
Adarsh’s focus remains on maintaining his form in the remaining matches. He stated that his goal is to continue performing at the same level in the upcoming three matches and conclude the season strongly. He mentioned that he had practiced extensively and focused on physical and on-field preparation before the UPT20 League season. The second phase of the UPT20 League is scheduled to be held in Kanpur, and Adarsh believes the team still has an opportunity to finish the season on a positive note by winning their remaining three matches.
In another match, the Noida Kings defeated the Kashi Rudras by five wickets, marking the defending champions’ fourth consecutive loss of the season.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
