Match Report: By Shyam Gavulla & Bikram Singh

Scores : BGSC 'C' won the toss and elected to bat
BGSC 'C" - 149/9 in 40 overs
MIT - 141 all out in 38 overs.

The match was billed as a match between David (BGSC-C) & Goliath (MIT). 

The teams were a study in contrast.  MIT featuring many seasoned players who have been playing together for some time, while on the other hand BGSC-C was a team that really is in the process of being cobbled together one more time.  BGSC-C was lucky to have put together a playing XI was now facing a formidable MIT side that had just the previous day won Windsor Tournament.   MIT side features Vinay Kanitkar- A premier player in MSCL, Praveen Tailam-A veteran batsmen, Yassir- A dangerous batsman, Khailid Shah, Asif Ali, Amit and many more well known names.  Shyam, the BGSC-C captain on the other hand was still trying to match the names on the roster with the faces. 

Both teams had a somewhat of a disappointing 2005, with MIT sliding back to DivII, whereas BGSC-C managing just a couple of wins in Div-II.  Both teams have been known for their pluck as  Star CC found out to their peril (Scorecard, Match Report).  BGSC-C while not the most consistent teams around, have risen to the occasion and BGSC-B team members will ruefully testify. 

With this backdrop the match started and the pundits predicting a MIT romp.  While MIT team was most likely devising strategies, BGSC-C  players were shopping around for whites, figuring out where to order pizza from and other mundane issues.  On the field, BGSC-C had the most important mission of staying at the crease for 40 overs and develop the basics for the team to build through the season. 

Review:
There were good partnerships from the beginning. Moin and Gaurav gave a good start though Moin was unlucky getting out. Arvind got out for a good catch and soon Rajiv Shah and Aveek followed suit. BGSC-C were again going into the same position as previous match where we don't play the 40 overs. But Sooraj and Gaurav showed their mettle and gave a very good stand and took the score to 87 from 20 overs. We were well poised  at 96 for 4 when again disaster struck. Gaurav and Sooraj got out quickly. Gaurav was outstanding and again he missed a personal goal of 50 when he was out for 45. But the credit should go for the two MIT spinners Vinay and Khalid who dominated the proceedings. Darshan and Shyam, the two veteren trying to force the issue.  From 96/4 , BGSC-C was for left tottering at 115/8. Rajeev as always, dependable and Ravi the rookie played really very well. Rajeev droped anchor and Ravi started to take on the MIT bowlers. The team objective was not necessarily score at a rapid clip,  but last the full quota of 40 overs and with Rajeev around we were confident. Ravi hit a huge six which was an awesome hit. Finally at the end in 37th over , Rajeev got out , but Ravi carried it on with the support from Naval. He was not out on 32 and that inning turned the tide.
 
BGSC-C bowling was really great. Unfortunately Naval had to stop bowling after 3 overs as he was injured. But Ravi from other end was terrific. Sooraj boweled really well and got his line and length correct after some initial issues. Rajiv Shah bowled really well and he was instrumental in controlling the run rate from one end and Sooraj was rewarded for it by taking 2 wickets. Darshan took another one wicket and Rajiv Shah took the big wicket  and the match was evenly poised with MIT at 75/4 in 20 overs. BGSC-C had held their own after three sessions and now could smell an upset.  BGSC-C kept the pressure on and kept attacking the batsmen and Darshan took 2 more wickets. Ravi came back and those 3 overs he was steaming in. MIT players were for sure taken by surprise with the pace. He got a wicket and that's when Gaurav came in. He was accurate and never allowed the batsmen to free their arms. Great bowling and he got 2 wickets which almost sealed the victory for us. However, it is never easy to count MIT out, the match was going down the wire with MIT requiring 14 runs from 3 overs and 1 wicket. Darshan gave us a chance , but we couldn't take it , but luck seems to favor us when the batsman again gave us a chance and this time we got it and sealed the victory by 9 runs.
Special mention to Moin who was there keeping for all the 38 over's and he was great. And to everyone on the field who kept the pressure.

Well that's one match, certainly a good one.  Stay tuned for some more fireworks.