Dehradun, 18 September 2024: The Uttarakhand Premier League 2024 witnessed an exhilarating rain-curtailed contest in the men’s competition, where the Pithoragarh Hurricanes triumphed over the Dehradun Warriors by seven wickets. This crucial victory propelled the Hurricanes to the top of the standings with 4 points from three games.

The hero of the match was undoubtedly Vijay Sharma, whose scintillating unbeaten knock of 50 runs off just 23 balls guided his team to a thrilling win. Sharma’s innings was a masterclass in aggressive batting, featuring three fours and five massive sixes. Chasing a target of 104, the Hurricanes had a shaky start as they lost both openers within the first four overs. However, a steadying 42-run partnership between Neeraj Rathour and Vijay Sharma brought them back into the game.

Rathour, who contributed a valuable 28 runs off 24 balls, was run out by a spectacular direct hit from substitute fielder Ashar Khan, leaving the Hurricanes in a precarious position. Yet, Vijay Sharma remained composed under pressure, continuing his aggressive play. He found an able partner in Parmendar Chadda, who scored an unbeaten 20 off just 10 balls. Together, they stitched an unbroken 57-run partnership, culminating in a dramatic finish where Sharma hit a six off the last ball to seal the victory.

The match had earlier been delayed due to wet conditions caused by rain, which also led to the abandonment of the opening match of the Women’s leg of the tournament between Pithoragarh Hurricanes and Nainital SG Pipers. As a result, both teams shared the points.

With the match reduced to 12 overs per side, and a Powerplay from overs 1 to 4, Dehradun Warriors were sent in to bat first. They lost their opener Sanskar Rawat for just 1 run in the opening over, bowled by Priyank Singh. Despite this early setback, Vaibhav Bhatt (27 off 23 balls) and Aanjaneya Suryavanshi (25 off 22 balls) provided stability with their crucial contributions. Middle-order batsmen Aditya Tare (12 off 8 balls), Dikshanshu Negi (16 off 8 balls), and Rakshit Rohi (14 off 7 balls) added quick runs towards the end, helping the Warriors post a competitive total of 103/6 in their allotted overs.

This match highlighted Vijay Sharma’s exceptional batting skills under pressure and marked a significant moment in the Uttarakhand Premier League 2024, showcasing both talent and resilience in a rain-affected yet thrilling encounter.