In a thrilling finale of the Uttar Pradesh T20 League, Meerut Mavericks emerged victorious, claiming their first-ever title by defeating Kanpur Superstars by 5 wickets. Despite the absence of their star captain Rinku Singh, Meerut showcased exceptional team effort to overcome Kanpur’s strong challenge in the final. The exciting match took place on Saturday at the Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Stadium in Lucknow, where Meerut Mavericks chased down Kanpur’s formidable total of 190 runs, securing the win on the last over.
Kanpur’s Explosive Start Led by Shaurya and Shoaib
Kanpur Superstars, determined to redeem themselves after last season’s final loss, made an explosive start. Opener Shaurya Singh was in sensational form, smashing a quickfire 56 off just 23 balls, studded with 7 boundaries and 3 sixes. His powerful innings, alongside his opening partner Shoaib Siddiqui, set the tone for Kanpur’s innings. The duo raced past 70 runs within the first seven overs, with Shoaib playing a more measured knock, contributing 35 runs off 31 balls.
Shaurya’s dismissal in the eighth over, bowled by leg spinner Zeeshan Ansari, slowed Kanpur’s momentum slightly. Zeeshan, the tournament’s leading wicket-taker, once again impressed with his economical bowling, conceding just 20 runs in his 4 overs and claiming the crucial wicket of Shaurya.
Kanpur’s captain Sameer Rizvi then took charge, playing a responsible knock of 57 from 36 balls, hitting 3 boundaries and 3 sixes, ensuring his team reached a competitive total. Contributions from Ankur Malik (26 runs) further bolstered the score, helping Kanpur set a target of 190. Meerut’s Yash Garg picked up 3 wickets, but his expensive spell (47 runs in 4 overs) kept Kanpur in the game.
Swastik Chikara’s Fiery Knock Sets the Tone for Meerut
Meerut Mavericks began their chase in dramatic fashion, losing opener Akshay Dubey to the second ball of the innings, bowled by IPL’s rising star Mohsin Khan. Things looked shaky for Meerut when Uwais Ahmed was dismissed for just 11 runs. However, Swastik Chikara had other plans.
Swastik, who was one of the tournament’s standout performers, continued his aggressive style. Known for hitting the most sixes in the competition, Swastik played a brilliant counter-attacking knock, scoring 62 runs off just 31 balls, including 5 massive sixes and 3 boundaries. His explosive innings kept the chase alive and pushed Meerut past 100 runs by the 10th over.
However, just when it seemed like he would take the game away from Kanpur, Swastik fell to Mukesh Kumar in the 11th over. His dismissal brought some hope for Kanpur, but Meerut’s captain Madhav Kaushik was still at the crease, holding the innings together.
Captain Madhav Kaushik Steers Meerut to Victory
As wickets kept tumbling on the other end, Madhav Kaushik remained calm and composed. His excellent leadership and well-paced knock were crucial in taking Meerut close to the target. Divyansh Rajput provided brief support before falling to Mohsin Khan in the 17th over, leaving Meerut needing a strong finish.
With the match heading towards a tense conclusion, Hrithik Vats joined Kaushik at the crease. The duo played some aggressive strokes in the final overs, turning the tide in Meerut’s favor. Kaushik, leading by example, played a captain’s knock, scoring an unbeaten 69 off 43 balls.
In the final over, with just a few runs needed, Kaushik sealed the title with a brilliant six off the fifth ball, ensuring Meerut Mavericks’ triumphant finish. His composed innings and the partnership with Hrithik Vats were instrumental in Meerut’s historic win.
Zeeshan Ansari’s Impressive Bowling
One of the highlights of the match was the bowling of Zeeshan Ansari, who has been a revelation throughout the tournament. His impressive control and ability to take wickets in crucial moments made a significant impact in the final. With his 24th wicket in the tournament, Zeeshan ended as the highest wicket-taker and played a vital role in keeping Kanpur’s total in check.
A First-Ever Title for Meerut Mavericks
Meerut Mavericks’ victory is particularly noteworthy as they achieved it without their star player Rinku Singh. The team showed great resilience, teamwork, and determination to win the Uttar Pradesh T20 League title for the first time. For Kanpur Superstars, this was yet another heartbreaking final defeat, having lost last year as well.
