Kanpur: Kashi Rudras made a winning start to the Kanpur leg of the UP T20 League Season 4, riding on a spectacular century from captain Karan Sharma and a four-wicket haul by Vijay Yadav to defeat Noida Kings by 67 runs at Green Park Stadium on Friday.
Karan smashed a whirlwind 102 off 51 balls, including 11 fours and five sixes, to register his third century of the league. His commanding innings earned him the Player of the Match award and helped Kashi post a formidable 217 for seven in 20 overs.
In reply, Noida Kings were bowled out for 150 in 18.4 overs, handing Kashi their first victory after four consecutive defeats.
The opening match of the Kanpur leg was formally inaugurated by Kanpur MP Ramesh Awasthi, who conducted the toss and performed the traditional ceremonial bell-ringing at Green Park. The Kanpur phase marks the decisive stretch of the tournament, with teams entering the crucial stages of the competition.
Awasthi said the arrival of the UP T20 League at the historic Green Park would provide young cricketers an opportunity to showcase their talent on a major platform while further strengthening the city’s cricketing culture.
UP T20 League Governing Council chairman Dr Sanjay Kapoor described the Kanpur leg as an important phase of the competition, saying the historic venue and passionate cricket following in the city would provide players with an ideal stage to prove their abilities.
Senior Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association officials, including secretary Prem Manohar Gupta, treasurer Sachin Anand Shukla and UP T20 League Governing Council member Sanjeev Kumar Singh, were also present.
Karan and Abhishek Set Up Mammoth Total
After winning the toss, Noida Kings opted to field, but Kashi Rudras capitalised on the opportunity from the outset.
Karan and opener Abhishek Goswami put together a superb 102-run opening partnership, laying the foundation for Kashi’s imposing total.
Goswami scored a fluent 63 off 34 balls, striking 11 boundaries before being dismissed in the 10th over. Virat Jaiswal contributed just two runs, while Sahab Yuvraj Singh made nine off six deliveries.
Karan then took centre stage with an explosive century. His 102 came from only 51 deliveries and featured 11 fours and five towering sixes. He maintained relentless pressure on the Noida bowling attack and kept the scoreboard moving at a rapid pace.
Karan added 42 runs with Shubham Chaubey for the fourth wicket. Chaubey scored 17 from 14 balls. Karan was dismissed off the first ball of the final over after doing most of the damage.
For Noida Kings, Naman Tiwari and Bobby Yadav claimed two wickets each.
Vijay Yadav Leads Kashi’s Bowling Attack
Chasing 218, Noida Kings started positively through Shoaib Siddiqui and Madhav Kaushik, but Kashi gradually tightened its grip on the contest.
Shoaib was dismissed in the fifth over after giving a catch to Sahab Yuvraj Singh off Rishabh Rajput. Anivesh Chaudhary followed soon after, bowled by Vijay Yadav for three.
Ravi Singh was trapped leg before wicket for six, while Aditya Sharma scored 15 before being caught behind off Atal Bihari Rai.
Madhav Kaushik offered some resistance, scoring 42 off 29 balls with two fours and four sixes. However, Vijay Yadav ended his stay when he was caught by Kartik Yadav.
Shiva Singh added 14, while Kartik Siddhu scored one. Noida captain Prashant Veer contributed 23 before being dismissed, while Vansh failed to open his account.
Vijay Yadav was the standout bowler for Kashi, finishing with four wickets for 23 runs from his four overs. Rishabh Rajput claimed three wickets, while Atal Bihari Rai picked up two.
With the emphatic victory, Kashi Rudras not only opened their Kanpur campaign on a winning note but also ended a four-match losing streak, gaining valuable momentum at a crucial stage of the UP T20 League.
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