The much-anticipated Rajnandgaon Panthers vs Surguja Tigers clash didn’t let the rain drown the excitement—it just fast-forwarded the drama! In a reduced 9-over-a-side contest, the Panthers chased down 120 in just 8 overs, winning by 8 wickets and making it look like child’s play.
Forget Netflix. This match had all the binge-worthy moments: explosive batting, hat-trick-worthy bowling, and a finish that would make even T20 purists weep with joy.
💥 First Innings: Surguja Tigers’ High-Octane Yet Fragile Knock
Surguja Tigers started with a bang—Ashish Dahariya opened with a six, then promptly got out trying to do it again. The innings went full Bollywood: action, drama, and an unpredictable climax.
Sanidhya Hurkat (48 off 21) nearly broke the sound barrier with his six-hitting spree, and Harsh Yadav’s 22 off 7 looked like a cheat code. But in the final over, Aishwary Marya turned into a one-man wrecking crew—3 wickets in 6 balls. Talk about crashing the party!
📊 Final Score: STS 119/7 (9 overs)
🚀 Second Innings: Sanjeet Desai Goes Beast Mode
Enter Sanjeet Desai. No capes, just a bat. The man unleashed a storm stronger than the one that shortened the match. His 64 off 28 balls was a highlight reel in itself—four boundaries, five towering sixes, and no mercy.
Ajay Jadav Mandal added spice with 31 off 13 before handing the spotlight back to Desai and Aishwary Marya, who sealed the deal with a calm cameo.
📊 RPS 120/2 (8 overs) — Panthers won by 8 wickets.
🏆 Player of the Match: Sanjeet Desai
No debates here. Desai walked away with the honors, and probably the hearts of every fantasy league manager who picked him. His timing? Impeccable. His intent? Savage. His strike rate? Illegal in some countries.
Stat Attack:
- 64 runs off 28 balls
- Strike Rate: 228.57
- 9 boundaries (4s and 6s combined)
- Zero chill
🎰 Betting Angle: How Did the Odds Swing at 188bet?
Before the rain-hit restart, 188bet had the Panthers as underdogs due to pitch conditions and Tiger’s batting depth. But as the match progressed—and Desai started hitting sixes like he was swatting mosquitoes—in-play odds flipped hard.
📉 Tigers started with odds at 1.65 to win.
📈 Panthers’ odds surged from 2.20 to 1.20 mid-innings as Desai dominated.
👉 [Bet smarter: Always consider live form shifts in reduced-over games.]
📚 FAQs – People Also Ask
Rajnandgaon Panthers won the rain-shortened match by 8 wickets, chasing 120 in just 8 overs.
Sanjeet Desai was awarded Player of the Match for his explosive 64 off 28 balls.
The game was shortened due to rain, turning it into a 9-over slugfest.
Besides scoring 11 off 5, Aishwary Marya took 3 wickets in one over—arguably the turning point in restricting the Tigers.
Panthers had longer odds pre-game but became favorites mid-chase as Desai took charge. Live odds shifted dramatically after the powerplay.
Chasing 120 in 9 overs is no joke. While not record-breaking, it’s among the most efficient short-chase performances in recent memory.
🔚 Conclusion: When Rain Brings Fireworks
In what could’ve been a washout, Rajnandgaon Panthers vs Surguja Tigers delivered a cricketing spectacle. Sanjeet Desai’s knock wasn’t just a highlight—it was a statement. And Aishwary Marya’s double role? Absolutely clutch.
If this is what 9-over games look like, maybe we need more rain.
💬 Enjoyed this thriller? Drop a comment below or check out our latest breakdown of T10 strategies in rain-shortened matches.
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