Shashank’s ton powers Bastar Bisons into CCPL semifinals

Captain Shashank Chandrakar led from the front with a magnificent century as Bastar Bisons stormed into the semifinals of the third edition of the Chhattisgarh Cricket Premier League (CCPL) with a commanding 88-run victory over Raigarh Lions at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium, Nava Raipur, on Wednesday. The emphatic win helped Bastar Bisons secure the fourth and final semifinal berth, joining Bilaspur Bulls, Raigarh Lions and Raipur Rhinos in the knockout stage. According to the final league standings, Bilaspur Bulls topped the table with a perfect record of five wins from five matches, while Bastar Bisons finished fourth with four points and a positive net run rate to qualify.

Electing to bat after winning the toss, Bisons posted an imposing 209 for 8 in 20 overs, thanks largely to a captain’s knock of exceptional quality from Chandrakar. The right-hander smashed 100 runs off a dazzling innings studded with nine boundaries and seven sixes, anchoring the innings and providing the momentum for a formidable total.

Chandrakar found useful support from Anuj Tiwari, who contributed 44 runs, while Rahul Pradhan added a valuable 24. For Raigarh Lions, Aayush Singh Thakur was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets, while Aditya Agrawal claimed two scalps.

Facing a stiff target of 210, Raigarh Lions never managed to build substantial partnerships and were bundled out for 121 in 16.2 overs.

Bastar’s bowlers Sourabh Majumdar and Utkarsh Tiwari claimed three wickets each, while Manraj Singh picked up two wickets to complete a dominant all-round performance. Shashank was named Player of the Match.

The semifinal line-up is now confirmed, with table-toppers Bilaspur Bulls set to face Bastar Bisons in the first semifinal, while Raigarh Lions will take on Raipur Rhinos in the second semifinal on June 12.

In the day’s second match, Bilaspur Bulls continued their unbeaten march through the league stage with a hard-fought nine-run win over Surguja Tigers in a rain-curtailed contest.

After rain reduced the match to 15 overs per side, Bulls posted 146 for 7 after being asked to bat first. Vikalp Tiwari starred with a brisk 53, while Pawan Parnate and Prateek Yadav contributed 35 and 32 runs respectively. Vasudev Bateth impressed for Surguja Tigers with three wickets.

Surguja Tigers fought valiantly in reply and remained in contention until the closing stages. Snidhya Hurkat scored 43, while Kritesh Sahu and Ashutosh Singh added 35 and 32 respectively. However, the chase ended at 137 in 14.4 overs, handing Bulls their fifth consecutive victory.

Rudra Pratap Dehari produced a match-winning spell, taking four wickets, while Bharat Gondwani and Varun Singh Bhuie grabbed two wickets each. Dehari was adjudged Player of the Match.