Date:07/04/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/04/07/stories/2008040757700200.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Local heroes script victory

V. V. Subrahmanyam

Action-packed: A near capacity crowd witnessed the ICL final between Hyderabad Heroes and Lahore Badshahs at Lal Bahadur Stadium on Sunday.

HYDERABAD: It was a dream finish! For the cricket-crazy fans of twin cities, the Edelweiss 20s Challenge cricket championship (ICL) could not have ensured a more memorable finale. It was just the icing on the cake which they would have clearly enjoyed.

In a way it was double delight – the magnificent triumph of the local outfit (Hyderabad Heroes) and also the fact that two local heroes – Ambati Rayudu (45 not out) and left-arm spinner Indra Sekhar Reddy (four wickets) – scripted this fabulous win.

The exciting second final had all the bearings which any cricket lover would be proud to be part of this. The ambience was perfect under lights. And, after a long gap, has the venue come alive to such thunderous cheers and stunning sporting action. No doubt, some of the ‘unlucky’ spectators with valid tickets and passes were turned back as the venue was full much before the start of the match.

Thrilling finish

Not surprisingly, Kapil Dev, chairman of the ICL executive board, was on cloud nine during the break at the crowd response and even expressing concern for all those fans who were perched on the roof top of the stadium. “My heart goes for the under-dogs Hyderabadis to win this match and as an organizer I would love to have another match to decide the winner,” said the cricketing great with all honesty. The concept of ‘bowl out’ – again the first of its kind seen in such a prestigious match – was just the finish the fans would have loved while leaving the venue.

No doubt, the match had all the ingredients of a finish and when Indra Sekhar Reddy and Ambati Rayudu walked across to take the ‘best bowler’ and ‘best batsman’ awards of Rs. 4 lakh each cheers reverberated across the venue.