Srinagar: Konark Suryas Odisha delivered a stellar performance to secure a playoff berth by defeating Gujarat Greats by seven wickets in a thrilling Legends Cricket League (LLC) match at Bakshi Stadium on Friday, as Chris Gayle fever swept across the crowd.
After winning the toss, Odisha's captain Irfan Pathan chose to field first, a decision that paid off early. Gujarat's opening pair, Shikhar Dhawan and Morne van Wyk struggled to find momentum, with van Wyk departing for just two runs, bowled by Vinay Kumar with the score at five. Chris Gayle, who joined Dhawan, provided some fireworks, contributing 34 from 30 balls, including several towering sixes that electrified the crowd of over 20,000. Dhawan managed 23 runs before both he and Gayle fell, leaving Gujarat teetering at 83/7 after 14.1 overs.
Despite the early losses, Gujarat's Debabrata Das (25*) and Seekkuge Prasanna (31) provided some resistance with a crucial 42-run partnership for the eighth wicket, pushing Gujarat to a respectable 141/8 after 20 overs.
Odisha's Kevon Cooper was the standout bowler, taking a hat-trick and finishing with figures of 4/25. He received support from Diwesh Pathania (1/21), Vinay Kumar (1/20), Shahbaz Nadeem (1/22), and Pravin Tambe (1/06).
In response, Konark Suryas Odisha chased the target of 142 with ease. Opener Richard Levi smashed a quick 25 off 14 balls before falling, but his partner Dilshan Munaweera anchored the innings with a solid 47. Munaweera, alongside Kevin O’Brien (43*), added a 56-run stand for the second wicket. Irfan Pathan then sealed the game with a blistering 19* off just 6 balls, taking Odisha to victory in 16.4 overs.