Kakkar picks five but Arya’s quick knock upfront powers Collage to win

Bhavya Kakkar, a left-arm spin bowling all-rounder from the stables of coach Gurcharan Singh, stole the limelight with a five-wicket haul on a batting-friendly surface in the 48^th edition of the Goswami Ganesh Dutt Cricket Tournament at the St Stephen’s grounds on Thursday. But his effort could not stop Collage Sports Club from scoring an 85-run victory over his side, Ravi Brothers.

The 20-year-old, who represents Delhi Blues in DDCA League and idolises R Ashwin, has been in prime form and it was proved by the way he mixed the deliveries well on way to 5/52 in eight overs.

The third year B.Com student of Delhi University has scored 156 runs in six matches, picking nine wickets in the T20 format of the league. He had earlier scored 353 runs and picked 12 wickets in nine games of the league’s 40-over format

“It was a batting pitch. I used yorkers (with which he managed two wickets through a bowled dismissal and stumping) as variation. However, our fielding let us down,” he said.

Ravi Brothers dropped at least five catches to let Collage get to 317 before they were all out in exactly 40 overs.

Opening batsman Priyansh Arya had set the tone for Collage as he powered to 88 off 62 deliveries while setting the platform for a big total. By the time he was dismissed, the team had already reached 157 in just over 20 overs and despite Kakkar’s haul, Collage managed to double the score.

Arya, a left-hander, was cautious at the start before unleashing his strokes.

The 21-year-old, who has graduated from Delhi University’s Swami Shraddhanand College with a BA degree, said after the match, “The wicket was a bit tough at the start. However, after that, it was very easy to bat. I tried to rotate the strike in the first 10 overs. But then I ensured that there was a boundary in every over.”

Arya was not played by his club LB Shastri in the DDCA League 40-over format but when given an opportunity in the 20-over format. He shone with three half-centuries and one century in the five matches he has played till now.

Among other performers for Collage were Arun Chaprana (74 off 50 balls) and bowler Kartik Yadav (3/35).

For Ravi Brothers Rohan Rana (50 off 28 balls) and Salil (79 off 76 balls) started well with a 76-run partnership but the innings fell apart after they were dismissed.