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VVIP Uttar Pradesh secured their spot in the finals of the first season of IVPL by defeating Chhattisgarh Warriors with a 19-run victory in the second semi-final held at Greater Noida on Saturday. 

In the tournament, these two teams faced off for the second time, with VVIP emerging victorious on both occasions, showcasing their dominance over Chhattisgarh Warriors.

Batting Masterclass From Negi and Raina

VVIP, batting first, suffered an early setback as their opener Bhanu Seth was dismissed on the very first ball of the match. Seth had been struggling with poor form. Adding to their troubles, Anshul Kapoor also fell quickly. However, Negi, who has been in excellent form, found support in Skipper Raina and together they revived the innings.

Negi displayed not only powerful hitting but also deft touches as he skillfully guided the ball through the empty slip cordon, showcasing his diverse talents. Meanwhile, Suresh Raina exhibited sublime stroke-play by smashing towering sixes over the bowler’s head.

Comeback By Chhattisgarh Bowlers

Chhattisgarh Warriors’ bowlers turned the match in their favor by taking out both the in-form batsmen, Raina and Pawan, within just two overs. Raina scored 58 runs while Pawan managed 94. It was disappointing that Pawan fell short of a century, but he selflessly continued to play aggressively for the team instead of solely focusing on his own achievement.

Chhattisgarh Warriors struggled on the field, particularly in holding onto catches. They missed two opportunities to dismiss Suresh Raina, which ultimately proved costly for them. Shadab Jakati delivered an impressive performance for his team by taking 4 wickets, while skipper Munaf Patel contributed with two wickets.

If it weren’t for Parvinder Singh’s pivotal knock of 33 runs, including 3 boundaries and 2 maximums, VVIP wouldn’t have managed to secure a commendable total on the scoreboard necessary for a crucial game such as the semi-finals.

Chhattisgarh Warrior’s Cautious Start

Jatin Saxena, who has been in outstanding form throughout this tournament as a prolific scorer for his team, seized the opportunity to display some impressive strokes. Naman Ojha also contributed effectively by showcasing some exquisite shots. However, just when it seemed like CG Warriors were gaining the upper hand, VVIP’s Pawan Negi intervened by dismissing the dangerous Ojha.

Chhattisgarh Warriors had a strong start, reaching 96 without losing any wickets by the end of the 10th over. In the 11th over, Naman was dismissed after scoring a well-compiled 43 runs. Saurabh Tiwari then partnered with Jatin Saxena, who was battling fitness issues. Together, they managed to take the score to 124 before Saurabh got caught in the long-on area while attempting big shots.

Lack of intent from CW batsmen

After Jatin departed the field due to injury, the middle order of Chhattisgarh Warriors lacked the determination to boost the run rate. Although VVVIP bowlers delivered respectable spells, the batsmen failed to take bold actions to turn things around.Although the Chhattisgarh Warriors didn’t lose many wickets, the scoring rate required for the run chase did not increase.

In a run chase scenario, it is crucial not to leave too many runs for the last few overs.

In the end, Asghar Afghan delivered some powerful hits, but it proved to be too late. Despite his efforts, Chhattisgarh Warriors only reached a total of 184 with two wickets down, resulting in VVIP securing a victory by 19 runs.

CG Warriors may feel disappointed, but they should not lose hope after their loss. They showed strong performance at times but struggled to close out games. It is hoped that they will return as a stronger unit in the upcoming second season of the league.

With this victory, VVIP Uttar Pradesh has advanced to the finals of IVPL and is set to face Mumbai Champions in the ultimate face-off on Sunday at the Saheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex in Greater Noida.

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