At Lucknow’s Ekana Stadium, Team India’s star batter Rinku Singh produced a sensational performance, smashing a blazing century off just 45 balls at a stunning strike rate of 225, leading his team Meerut Mavericks to a remarkable victory. Rinku hammered 8 sixes and 7 fours during his explosive knock. At one stage, the Mavericks were struggling at 38 for 4, but skipper Rinku Singh rescued the team and guided them to a six-wicket win with seven balls to spare, making a strong statement ahead of the Asia Cup.
Rinku Singh’s Captain’s Knock
The ninth match of the UP T20 League was played between Gorakhpur Lions and Meerut Mavericks at Lucknow’s Ekana Stadium. Batting first, Gorakhpur Lions posted 167 runs for 9 wickets in 20 overs. Chasing a target of 168, Meerut Mavericks had a disastrous start, losing four wickets for just 38 runs.
Then came captain Rinku Singh, who, along with Sahab Yuvraj, stitched an unbeaten 130-run partnership in just 65 balls, snatching victory from Gorakhpur’s grasp. Rinku smashed an unbeaten 108 runs off 48 balls, hitting 7 fours and 8 sixes, while Sahab Yuvraj contributed 22 runs off 22 balls. Thanks to their brilliant batting, Meerut Mavericks chased down the target in 18.5 overs with six wickets in hand.
Gorakhpur Lions’ Struggles with the Bat
Batting first, Gorakhpur Lions also had a shaky start, losing their first wicket at just 3 runs, with Aryan Juyal departing for a duck. Skipper Dhruv Jurel and Akashdeep Nath added 45 runs for the second wicket. Dhruv Jurel top-scored for Gorakhpur with 38 runs off 32 balls, including 6 fours, while Akashdeep Nath scored 23 runs off 16 balls with 3 fours and 1 six.
Nishant Kushwaha played a quick knock of 37 runs off 24 balls, hitting 4 fours and 1 six, while Shivam Sharma remained unbeaten on 25 runs off 14 balls with 2 sixes and 1 four. Gorakhpur eventually managed 167 runs for 9 wickets in their 20 overs.
For Meerut Mavericks, Vishal Chaudhary and Vijay Kumar picked up 3 wickets each, while Jesan Ansari bagged 2 wickets. This victory marked Meerut’s second win in three matches, while Gorakhpur Lions have managed to win only one match out of three so far.