At the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, Baroda’s left-arm medium-fast bowler, Lukman Meriwala, produced a memorable spell in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024 quarterfinal against Bengal. Meriwala took three wickets in a single over, leading his team to a 41-run victory and a spot in the semifinals.
Lukman Meriwala dominates Bengal batters with three wickets in a single over
The drama began in the 4th over of Bengal’s chase when Meriwala unleashed a lethal spell. On the second ball of the over, he bowled a length delivery to Karan Lal, who attempted to dab the ball with an open face. However, the inside edge deflected the ball back onto the off-stump, sending Lal back to the pavilion for 6 off 10 balls. The opening stand was broken, and Meriwala’s confidence was evident as he celebrated the key breakthrough.
Meriwala wasn’t done yet. On the fourth ball of the over, he delivered a skiddy length ball that rushed off the pitch and caught Bengal’s captain Sudip Kumar Gharami on the back foot. The delivery struck Gharami on the pad, and despite a review, the umpire’s decision was upheld with three reds on the screen. Gharami, who had made only 2 runs off 2 balls, was dismissed LBW. It was another superb delivery from Meriwala, who had already claimed two wickets in the over.
The excitement reached a crescendo as Meriwala took his third wicket on the final ball of the over. Writtick Chatterjee, looking to take the attack to Meriwala, misjudged a full delivery and attempted a paddle shot. However, the ball edged off the toe of the bat and looped toward Meriwala, who, in a brilliant display of athleticism, dove forward and took a low catch just inches from the ground. It was an extraordinary moment, and with that, Meriwala had three wickets in just six balls. Bengal’s chase was in tatters, and Baroda had seized the momentum.
Here is the video:
1⃣ over 🤝 3⃣ wickets
Lukman Meriwala on fire 🔥
He dismisses Karan Lal, Sudip Kumar Gharami & Writtick Chatterjee in the same over.
That return catch of Writtick Chatterjee 😮#SMAT | @IDFCFIRSTBank
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/FDmKRaHa9X pic.twitter.com/lCVmDabwdE
— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) December 11, 2024
Meriwala’s remarkable over concluded with three wickets and just 17 runs conceded. He was the standout performer of the match, earning the Player of the Match award for his efforts.
Also READ: Can Mohammed Shami’s all-round brilliance in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024 earn him a spot in Team India?
Baroda secures the semifinal spot
Earlier in the game, Baroda, after being asked to bat first, posted a competitive total of 172/7 in their 20 overs. The team’s total was built on key contributions throughout the order, with their top and middle order putting up vital runs.
Chasing 173 to win, Bengal’s top order crumbled under the pressure, with Meriwala’s hat-trick being a major blow to their confidence. The Bengal batting lineup never really got going, and they were eventually bowled out for just 131 runs in the 18th over. Baroda emerged victorious by 41 runs, securing a crucial win to reach the semifinals of the 2024 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. In addition to Meriwala’s brilliance, Baroda’s star all-rounder Hardik Pandya and bowling all-rounder Atit Seth also made significant contributions with the ball, each picking up three wickets.
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