AK GRAINS LIONS 145/10 (Rahul Gupta 53, Gufran Khan 41*; Banunaek 3-16, Tadarus 3-24) lost to SDAM UNITED 146/4 (Padmakar Surve 52*, Ahmad Ramdoni 36; Gufran Khan 2-15) by 6 wickets.
Lions’ Struggle for Roar: An Innings of Peaks and Valleys
Having chosen to bat, AK GRAINS LIONS got off to the worst possible start, losing Jawad A for a duck and Sherawan K for just one run within the first three overs, both falling to the early brilliance of Desandri S. The early powerplay proved tumultuous, with the scoreboard ticking slowly despite some expensive overs from the SDAM UNITED bowlers. It wasn’t until the 6th over that the Lions managed to cross the 50-run mark, only to lose Pranav Singapuri shortly after for 5 runs.
The innings found its rhythm through the resilient partnership between Rahul Gupta and Gufran Khan. Rahul Gupta anchored the innings, playing a crucial knock and eventually bringing up his half-century in the 12th over. Their 50-run stand was the backbone of the AK GRAINS LIONS total, pushing them past the 100-run milestone in the 13th over. However, just as Gupta looked set for a big score, he was dismissed by Ferdinando Banunaek for a well-made 53 off 46 balls, adorned with 2 fours and 3 sixes.
Gupta’s dismissal triggered a dramatic collapse. Gaurav Sharma (8) fell to Sandeep K, and the death overs saw an exceptional bowling display from SDAM UNITED. Muhamad Anjar Tadarus ripped through the lower order, picking up Ujair Khan (8), followed by back-to-back wickets of Mazhar Abbas (3) and Amar Kapadia (0) in the 18th over. Not to be outdone, Ferdinando Banunaek returned to clean up the tail in the 19th over, claiming Maneesh Dubey (4) and Dimas Darma Pratama (0) in consecutive deliveries. Gufran Khan remained unbeaten on a valiant 41 off 28 balls, but his efforts weren’t enough to prevent AK GRAINS LIONS from being bowled out for 145 in 19.2 overs.
The bowling attack of SDAM UNITED was spearheaded by Ferdinando Banunaek (3/16 from 3.3 overs) and Muhamad Anjar Tadarus (3/24 from 4 overs), whose combined efforts ensured the Lions never truly built a commanding total.
SDAM United’s Measured Response and Clinical Finish
Chasing 146 for victory, SDAM UNITED also endured an early setback, losing Mehdi Raza Baig for 4 in the very first over to Pranav Singapuri. However, opener Varun Rawat quickly took charge, unleashing a flurry of boundaries to score a brisk 32 off just 20 balls, including 4 fours and a six, setting a positive tone for the chase. His aggressive approach helped SDAM UNITED maintain a healthy required run rate.
Varun Rawat’s promising innings was cut short by Gufran Khan in the 5th over, and Khan struck again in the 7th over, removing Muhamad Anjar Tadarus for 2. At this point, AK GRAINS LIONS would have felt a glimmer of hope. However, the experienced duo of Ahmad Ramdoni and Padmakar Surve steadied the ship. They built a crucial partnership, navigating the middle overs with a blend of caution and aggression. SDAM UNITED reached their 50-run mark in the 5th over and crossed the 100-run threshold in the 12th over, largely due to their sensible batting.
Ahmad Ramdoni played a vital supporting role, contributing 36 runs off 28 balls before falling to Amar Kapadia in the 14th over. But by then, the momentum had firmly shifted in SDAM UNITED’s favour. Padmakar Surve took on the responsibility of guiding his team home. He accelerated brilliantly, hitting consecutive boundaries in the 15th over to pile pressure on the Lions’ bowlers. Surve reached a magnificent half-century in the 17th over, a well-deserved milestone that underscored his match-winning performance.
SDAM UNITED chased down the target with remarkable ease, finishing on 146/4 in just 17.5 overs, securing a comfortable 6-wicket victory. Gufran Khan was the pick of the bowlers for AK GRAINS LIONS, claiming 2 wickets for 15 runs, but his efforts were ultimately in vain against a determined SDAM UNITED batting lineup.
Key Performers of the Day
The match was defined by several standout performances. For AK GRAINS LIONS, Rahul Gupta’s 53 and Gufran Khan’s unbeaten 41 were crucial in setting a competitive target, and Gufran Khan also chipped in with two wickets. However, the bowling prowess of SDAM UNITED’s Ferdinando Banunaek (3/16), Muhamad Anjar Tadarus (3/24) & Sandeep Koyanna turned the tide in the first innings. In the chase, Padmakar Surve’s composed and aggressive unbeaten 52, ably supported by Ahmad Ramdoni’s 36 and Varun Rawat’s fiery 32, ensured a clinical victory for SDAM UNITED, highlighting their batting depth and strategic execution.