The SG Crimsons put up another clinical performance in their second T20 match of the series as they took on the SG Crescents on the 14th of February 2019 at IA. Losing the toss and being asked to field first, the SG Crimsons reduced the SG Stars to 30/2 in 4.6 overs and has to work a little harder for their next breakthrough in the 10th over when Surendran Chandramohan fell, bowled by the young leg spinner Pramesh Singhavi for 29 (34). Crescents skipper, Manpreet Singh held fort and scored a crucial 57 (47) before being run out as the SG Crescents finished on 130/7. U19s leg spinner, Pramesh Singhavi impressing with his figures of 3/22.
The SG Crimsons picked up where they left off in the last T20 fixtures with the opening batting pair of Motlhanka and Rangarajan keeping the scoreboard ticking over with some lusty blows and quick singles. Even as the more subdued Motlhanka fell for a run a ball 15 in the 5th over after an ill-judged run, the Crimsons looked to be in no bother as Prasheen Param 34 * (32) picked up the pace from the word go and paired with the in form Rangarajan who dominated the Crescents bowling attack with 72* off 56 balls, took Crimsons home with another 9 wickets victory. Rohan Rangarajan named man of the match for the second T20 match in a row.
The in-form Crimsons now took it upon themselves to stage a recovery in the 50 over series in where they had lost their first two opening matches in their third match played on the 16th of February 2019 at IA.Losing the toss once again however, the Crimsons were put in to field as the returning skipper, Janak Prakash led his team out to take on the batting of the SG Crescents once again.
The Crescents never really got going in their inning as the Crimsons bowlers not only took wickets but also choked their opponents for runs. At the 21st over, the Crescents sat on 75/4 and more wickets fell until the stodgy Karthikeyan Subramanian came in at 6 and staged a mini recovery of sorts in taking the Crescents to a respectable 205/8 in 50 overs in scoring a patient 68 (83). Crimsons skipper, Janak Prakash taking 3/45 in his 10 overs.
The SG Crimsons took charge from ball one in their chase as Motlhanka and Rangarajan once again applied pressure on the fielding team with quick singles and dispatching balls to the boundaries. Motlhanka was happy to play anchor as Rangarajan smashed his way to 55 (49) before being caught one handed to his right by a diving Aritra Dutta at point. Prasheen Param was soon dismissed to another good catch by keeper Manpreet for 12 (18) and with the Crimsons now sitting on 121/2 in just 19 overs, Chetan Surywanshi took it upon himself to improve the NRR by clubbing a audacious 58* (34) while Motlhanka also went on to score his half century with 52*(82), Crimsons winning with another dominating 8 wickets. Rohan Rangarajan winning his third MOM in three consecutive matches for the Crimsons.
The SG Stars and SG Crescents will play next on the 19th of February 2019 in the T20 series at IA at 7.30pm while the SG Crimsons enjoy a 5 day break before their next fixture on the 21st of February.
