Times News NetworkKanpur: Upendra Yadav’s late blitz with the bat, followed by three-wicket hauls from Kartik Yadav and Rishabh Rajput, helped Kashi Rudras register a convincing 56-run victory over Meerut Mavericks in the UP T20 League on Tuesday.With the win, Kashi Rudras completed their league campaign with five victories and five defeats to finish on 10 points. They secured third place on the basis of a superior net run rate, ahead of Noida Super Kings, who also finished with 10 points. Kashi will now feature in the qualifier matches, scheduled to be played at Ekana Stadium in Lucknow from September 3.Meerut, despite two defeats, stood at top place in the points table with 15 points and Lucknow Falcons at second spot with 13 points. Both have already qualified for play off matches.After opting to bat, Kashi Rudras posted 175 for four in 20 overs, with Upendra Yadav providing the late impetus with a blistering 57. His aggressive knock helped Kashi put up a competitive total.In reply, the Meerut Mavericks were in trouble from the outset. Left arm spinner Kartik Yadav claimed three wickets conceding 12 runs in his four-over spell to reduce Meerut to 70 for five after 13 overs. The Mavericks managed only 27 runs during the powerplay and lost four wickets.Opener Swasthik Chikara was dismissed without scoring by Rishabh Rajput, while Akshay Rajput (2) and Rituraj Sharma (1) failed to make an impact.Rituraj was unlucky to be run out.Sandeep Tomar briefly raised hopes of a fightback with an attacking 29 off 20 balls, hammering three sixes, before he was caught by Sakham at deep midwicket off Kartik Yadav.Divyansh Rajput entertained the crowd with an aggressive 39 off 31 balls, hitting two boundaries and three sixes. However, his attempt to cut Rishabh Rajput ended with him hitting his own wicket. Meerut slipped further after losing three wickets at 106, with Yash Garg (0) and Dinesh Kumar (14) also departing in quick succession.The Mavericks were eventually bowled out for 119 in 19.2 overs, with Kunal Yadav being caught by Deepanshu off Atal Behari Rai who picked two wickets.Kartik Yadav was adjudged Player of the Match for his match-winning three-wicket spell.Earlier, Kashi Rudras rode on a late assault by Upendra Yadav to post a challenging 175 for four in 20 overs against Meerut Mavericks after winning the toss.Opting to bat first, Kashi’s innings was built around two significant partnerships. The opening pair of skipper Karan Sharma and Virat added 75 runs, while Upendra Yadav and Shubham Chaubey put on an unbeaten-looking 70-run stand for the fourth wicket.Karan and Virat, a right and left combination gave Kashi a flying start, scoring 54 runs during the six-over powerplay. The Meerut skipper tried as many as five bowlers to break the partnership, but the duo remained in control.Karan was the more aggressive of the two as they took the score to 75 before Kunal Yadav dismissed Virat for 33. Wicketkeeper Akshay Dubey completed the catch.Virat’s dismissal triggered a mini-collapse. Karan, attempting to accelerate the scoring rate, edged Vishal Chaudhary and was neatly caught by wicket keeper Akshay Dubey. He scored 57 off 40 balls, hitting four boundaries and three sixes. Soon after, Arush Goel bowled Saksham for five, leaving Kashi struggling at 93 for three in 13.1 overs.Upendra and Shubham then revived the innings with a 70-run partnership. Upendra played the aggressor’s role, smashing 57 off just 29 balls with four boundaries and five sixes.Upendra’s most spectacular moment came against Kunal Yadav when he struck three consecutive sixes, all towards the fine and deep square-leg region.Attempting another big shot off the final ball he faced, Upendra scooped the delivery high towards the cover region, where Divyansh completed the catch. Shubham Chaubey remained unbeaten on 15 as Kashi finished on 175 for four.Vishal Chaudhary, Kunal Yadav, Yash Garg and Arush Goel all captured one wicket each.
