Road Safety World Series: Naman Ojha’s century helped Sachin Tendulkar-led India Legends win their second consecutive title. Cricket News – Times of India

Raipur (Chhattisgarh): An unbeaten century Naman Ojha And the top class chants of Vinay Kumar and Abhimanyu Mithun helped Legends of India get their second straight road safety world series title by beating Legends of Sri Lanka By 33 runs in the final in Raipur on Saturday.
In the first innings, India posted a mammoth score of 195/6 in 20 overs thanks to Naman Ojha’s scintillating 108* off 71 balls. Nuwan Kulasekhar (3/29) led the Sri Lankan bowling charts with his spell that provided both economy and important wickets. Chasing 196, it was only Ishan Jayaratne (51) who was able to provide a powerful resistance against the Indian bowlers led by Vinay Kumar (3/38).

Chasing 196, fast bowler Vinay and spinners Rajesh Power and Stuart Binny destroyed the top order of SL-L, which included some of the famous stalwarts, Dilshan Munaweera (8), Sanath Jayasuriya (5), captain Tillakaratne. Dilshan (11) and Upul Tharanga (10) were sent back. Reducing the side to 41/4.

Asela Gunaratne and Jeevan Mendis helped Sri Lanka cross the 50-run mark. A partnership began to develop between them. Yusuf Pathan, who was in form, broke the stand, Gunaratne was sent back for just 19 runs in 17 balls. Moments later, Mendis was run out for 20 off 11 balls by the pair of Ojha and Binny. Half of Sri Lanka’s team had returned to the hut on 85 runs.

Ishaan Jayaratne and Mahela Udawate were the next pair to chase, helping their team cross the 100-run mark. He left the Indian bowlers looking for wickets and put on a 63-run partnership. Mithun dismissed Udawate for 26 off 19 balls to reduce Sri Lanka to 148/7 and they still needed 48 off 16 balls.

Jayaratne eventually fell for 51 off 22, which included four boundaries and four sixes after being dismissed lbw by Vinay Kumar. Vinay took the winning wicket, dismissing Dhanmika Prasad for a golden duck and ended Sri Lanka’s halt at the crease for 162 runs in 18.5 overs.
Vinay (3/38) and Mithun (2/27) dashed Sri Lanka’s hopes with crucial wickets. Rajesh, Binny, Yusuf and Rahul Sharma took one wicket each.
Earlier, deciding to bat first, fast bowler Nuwan Kulasekara implicated the captain Sachin Tendulkar (0) and Suresh Raina, leaving the defending champions struggling 19/2.
Ojha found support from Vinay Kumar and two helped India Legends cross the 100-run mark. 90 runs partnership between them. Jayaratne ended it by dismissing Vinay for 36 off 21 balls. India were at 109/3 in 11.3 overs.
Yuvraj Singh was at the crease and hit some delightful shots, keeping the audience entertained, he formed a partnership with Ojha, who scored a century. Kulasekara got the third wicket of the match by dismissing Yuvraj for 19 runs in 13 balls.
Isuru Udana next finished India Legends’ innings at 195/6 in 20 overs with the Pathan brothers, Irfan for 11 and Yusuf on 0, Ojha (108*) and Binny (8*) being unbeaten.
Kulasekhar (3/29) and Udana (2/34) were the key bowlers for Lanka. Jayaratne (1/44) also found a skull.
Nama Ojha’s innings earned him the title of ‘Man of the Match’.