Dehradun, 19 September 2024: The USN Indians continued their dominance in the Uttarakhand Premier League 2024, securing their third consecutive victory at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium by defeating the Nainital SG Pipers by eight wickets in a thrilling high-scoring match. This crucial win bolsters the USN Indians’ chances of reaching the Final of the competition.

In Thursday’s action-packed double-header, Nainital SG Pipers’ opener Avneesh Sudha etched his name in the league’s history books by becoming the first batsman to score a century in the Uttarakhand Premier League. His extraordinary unbeaten 118 off just 60 balls, which included seven fours and eight towering sixes, set a formidable target for the USN Indians.

Despite Sudha’s brilliant century, the collective batting effort of the USN Indians outshined the SG Pipers. Chasing an imposing target of 211, openers Aarav Mahajan and Yuvraj Chaudhary provided a blazing start, propelling their team to 65 without loss by the end of the Powerplay. By the halfway mark of their innings, they had effortlessly reached 107/0, with both batsmen achieving their individual half-centuries.

The breakthrough for Nainital SG Pipers came when Nikhil Pundir dismissed Yuvraj Chaudhary for a rapid 64 off 32 balls, an innings that featured four fours and five sixes. Pundir struck again shortly thereafter, removing the well-set Aarav Mahajan, who had scored a blistering 81 off 47 balls, including seven fours and four sixes.

With 41 runs required from the final four overs, Aryan Sharma (33* off 21) and captain Akhil Rawat (35* off 17) orchestrated a pivotal late surge. Their unbeaten partnership ensured a sensational victory for the USN Indians, who finished with the highest team total of the tournament at 216/2.

Earlier in the day, Nainital SG Pipers elected to bat first and were given a robust start by openers Priyanshu Khanduri and Avneesh Sudha. Capitalizing on the Powerplay, Sudha smashed seven boundaries, racing to an unbeaten 48 off just 20 balls by the end of the sixth over. He reached his half-century in just 22 balls in the following over.

The opening duo maintained momentum with strategic strike rotation and timely boundaries, reaching 91 without loss by the 10th over. Their partnership surpassed the 100-run mark early in the 12th over. Sudha continued his assault, reaching his century in the 18th over. Unfortunately, Priyanshu Khanduri retired hurt on 77 after the 18th over. The SG Pipers then lost Prateek Pandey cheaply, but Sudha and Arush Melkani managed to add 20 runs in the final over, pushing their team’s total to a daunting 210/2.

With this victory, the USN Indians now top the standings table with six points from three games.

Earlier that day, the Nainital SG Pipers’ women’s team secured their spot in the final of the Women’s Uttarakhand Premier League by defeating Mussoorie Thunders, adding another feather to their cap.