Golok Bera's 74 Wins Man of the Match as Ashutosh Maurya's Unbeaten 63 Finishes the Job Against Merlion Lions
Calcutta Challengers chase 166 in 12 overs with 6 balls to spare, despite Siddhartha Sarkar's unbeaten 100 for Merlion Lions
Calcutta Challengers chased down 166 in just 12.0 overs to beat Merlion Lions by 8 wickets with 6 balls to spare, answering Merlion Lions' 165/2 in 13 overs. The match produced two outstanding innings: an unbeaten century from Siddhartha Sarkar for Merlion Lions, and a match-winning 74 off 27 from Golok Bera for Calcutta Challengers, with captain Ashutosh Maurya finishing the job with an unbeaten 63 off 31.
Man of the Match: Golok Bera
The chase belonged to Golok Bera. Arriving with Calcutta Challengers on 44/1 in the 4th over, he tore into the Merlion Lions attack, smashing 74 off just 27 balls — three fours and a stunning eight sixes at a strike rate of 274.07. Together with Ashutosh Maurya he added 105 in 7.1 overs for the second wicket, taking the score from 44 to 149 before he was run out (Debu) in the 11th over, with the target nearly in hand. It was a decisive, match-defining innings and a clear choice for Man of the Match.
Ashutosh Maurya Finishes the Job
Captain Ashutosh Maurya anchored the chase from the very first ball and was there at the end, hitting an unbeaten 63 off 31 balls — four fours and five sixes, strike rate 203.23 — and taking Calcutta Challengers to 168/2 in 12.0 overs, with Raju Akter (2 not out) alongside him. Paul Zomi gave the innings a fast start with 23 off 13 (one four, two sixes) before being caught and bowled by Avik Mazumdar at 44/1. Ashutosh's calm, powerful finish ensured there was never a moment of real danger once Golok had gone.
Siddhartha Sarkar's Century Lifts Merlion Lions
For Merlion Lions, Siddhartha Sarkar played a superb innings of 100 not out off 45 balls, including five fours and ten sixes (strike rate 222.22), the backbone of their 165/2. He put on 70 for the second wicket with Praphull Jha (29 off 17, four sixes, caught by Sovandeep Biswas off Samrat at 95/2), and then added an unbroken stand with Bishal Das, who finished on 17 off 13. Debu made a fast 10 off 8 at the top before being caught by Satyakam off Sovandeep Biswas at 25/1.
Sovandeep Biswas Shines With the Ball
Calcutta Challengers' bowlers had a tough day against a century hitter, but Sovandeep Biswas was excellent, taking 1/12 in 2 overs (economy 6.00, six dot balls) and removing the dangerous Debu, and also pouching Praphull Jha in the field. Samrat took the wicket of Praphull Jha for 1/40, Satyakam kept things tight with 0/32 in 3 overs, and Golok Bera conceded 33 in 3 overs. Five no-balls from Samrat cost Calcutta Challengers extra runs.
Merlion Lions' Bowlers Under Pressure
The Merlion Lions attack was unable to stop the chase. Avik Mazumdar took the wicket of Paul Zomi (1/48 in 3 overs), Chaman Kumar was the most economical at 0/19 (economy 9.50), while Ritam Bhattacharya (0/42), Debu (0/31) and captain Mohit Agrawal (0/28) were all expensive on a day when the chasing batters were in full flow.
Looking Ahead
Both sides produced standout individual innings, but it was Calcutta Challengers' depth and power at the top of the order that settled this high-scoring contest. Merlion Lions can take plenty of pride from Siddhartha Sarkar's century, while Calcutta Challengers move on after a clinical chase led by Golok Bera and finished by Ashutosh Maurya.
Merlion Lions — Batting (165/2 in 13.0 Ov)
| Batsman | Status | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Siddhartha Sarkar (not out) | not out | 100 | 45 | 5 | 10 | 222.22 |
| Debu | c Satyakam b Sovandeep Biswas | 10 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 125.00 |
| Praphull Jha | c Sovandeep Biswas b Samrat | 29 | 17 | 0 | 4 | 170.59 |
| Bishal Das (not out) | not out | 17 | 13 | 1 | 1 | 130.77 |
| Extras (wd 4, nb 5) | 9 | |||||
| Total: 13.0 Ov, 2 Wkts | 165 (CRR 12.69) | |||||
To bat: Mohit Agrawal (c), Subhranil, Chaman Kumar, Avik Mazumdar, Ritam Bhattacharya, Augustin Tanty, Adarsh Choudhary
Fall of Wickets — Merlion Lions
25-1 (Debu, 3.2 ov), 95-2 (Praphull Jha, 8 ov)
Bowling — Calcutta Challengers
| Bowler | O | M | R | W | WD | NB | Eco |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Satyakam | 3 | 0 | 32 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 10.67 |
| Sovandeep Biswas | 2 | 0 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6.00 |
| Samrat | 2 | 0 | 40 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 20.00 |
| P D | 2 | 0 | 27 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 13.50 |
| Golok Bera | 3 | 0 | 33 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 11.00 |
| Paul Zomi | 1 | 0 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21.00 |
Calcutta Challengers — Batting (168/2 in 12.0 Ov)
| Batsman | Status | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashutosh Maurya (c) (not out) | not out | 63 | 31 | 4 | 5 | 203.23 |
| Paul Zomi | c&b Avik Mazumdar | 23 | 13 | 1 | 2 | 176.92 |
| Golok Bera | run out Debu | 74 | 27 | 3 | 8 | 274.07 |
| Raju Akter (not out) | not out | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Extras (wd 5, nb 1) | 6 | |||||
| Total: 12.0 Ov, 2 Wkts | 168 (CRR 14.00) | |||||
To bat: Tanmay Karmakar, Samrat, Hamzad, P D, Satyakam, Sovandeep Biswas
Fall of Wickets — Calcutta Challengers
44-1 (Paul Zomi, 3.3 ov), 149-2 (Golok Bera, 10.4 ov)
Bowling — Merlion Lions
| Bowler | O | M | R | W | WD | NB | Eco |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mohit Agrawal (c) | 2 | 0 | 28 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 14.00 |
| Ritam Bhattacharya | 3 | 0 | 42 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 14.00 |
| Avik Mazumdar | 3 | 0 | 48 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 16.00 |
| Chaman Kumar | 2 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 9.50 |
| Debu | 2 | 0 | 31 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15.50 |
Result
Calcutta Challengers won by 8 wickets — Merlion Lions 165/2 (13.0 Ov), Calcutta Challengers 168/2 (12.0 Ov)
- Man of the Match: Golok Bera — 74 (27b, 3×4, 8×6, SR 274.07) 🏆
- Finisher: Ashutosh Maurya — 63* (31b, 4×4, 5×6, SR 203.23)
- Merlion Lions Top Scorer: Siddhartha Sarkar — 100* (45b, 5×4, 10×6, SR 222.22)
- Best Bowler (Calcutta Challengers): Sovandeep Biswas — 1/12 (2 Ov, Eco 6.00)
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