The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy continues to deliver remarkable moments, with Delhi captain Ayush Badoni achieving a unique feat during the match against Manipur. In an unprecedented move in T20 cricket, Badoni employed all 11 players to bowl, marking the first time more than nine bowlers were used by a captain in a T20 match.
This unusual strategy echoes a similar record in Test cricket, where India, under Sourav Ganguly’s captaincy, used all 11 players to bowl against the West Indies in 2002.
Delhi’s Bowling Masterclass
Delhi’s bowling attack ensured Manipur was restricted to 120/8 in their 20 overs. Harsh Tyagi and Digvesh Rathi were the pick of the bowlers, taking two wickets each. Interestingly, even wicketkeeper Anuj Rawat bowled an over, conceding 14 runs.
Manipur found themselves in deep trouble early, collapsing to 41/6 after choosing to bat first. A seventh-wicket partnership between Rex Singh (23) and wicketkeeper Shah (32) added 52 runs, giving the team some stability. Mayank Rawat was the most expensive bowler for Delhi, conceding 31 runs in three overs.
However, Delhi’s decision to rotate through all 11 bowlers sparked controversy. Former India pacer Dodda Ganesh criticized the move, calling it a “mockery of professional cricket” and questioning the competitiveness of the plate teams.
Delhi’s Chase and Yash Dhull’s Heroics
Chasing a modest target of 121, Delhi faced early setbacks, slumping to 44/4. However, Yash Dhull played a composed and unbeaten knock of 59, anchoring the innings. Dhull first added 40 runs with Mayank Rawat and then stitched a 41-run stand with Aryan Rana to guide Delhi to victory in 18.3 overs.
This win solidified Delhi’s unbeaten streak in the tournament. Prior to this, they registered convincing victories over Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Haryana.
Upcoming Match and Group Standings
Delhi, currently leading Group C with 16 points from four matches and an impressive net run rate of +1.765, will face Himachal Pradesh next. The match is scheduled to be played on Sunday, December 1, at the Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy in Mumbai.
As the tournament progresses, Delhi remains one of the strongest contenders, buoyed by their unbeaten record and innovative strategies under Ayush Badoni’s leadership.
