05 June,2025 03:38 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Sairaj Patil
Team India's T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav lit up the opening day of the third edition of the T20 Mumbai League 2025 as he delivered a quick-fire half-century in 25 balls.
However, his efforts went in vain as Sairaj Patil delivered an unbeaten knock of 47 runs off just 22 deliveries, helping Eagle Thane Strikers register a victory by five wickets against Triumph Knights Mumbai North East at the DY Patil Stadium.
In the first essay of the match, opening the innings for Triumph Knights, Jigar Rana smashed 53 runs in 42 deliveries, including six boundaries and two maximus. Following his knock, Parikshit Valsangkar accumulated 29 runs. Skipper Suryakumar played a knock of 50 runs in 27 balls. During the innings, the right-hander scored eight boundaries and a maximum. Riding on their knocks, the side posted a total of 179 runs for the loss of seven wickets.
The India star found able company in Jay Jain (24) as the pair added 40 runs to keep the innings steady during the middle overs. Jain's stay ended when he was cramped for room by Amit Pandey, with keeper Anish Chaudhery whipping off the bails. Despite the quick wickets, Suryakumar remained calm and clinical at the death, unleashing a flurry of powerful strokes to lift the Knights to a strong finish and set the tone for the tournament.
During the run chase, Varun Lavande played a knock of 57 runs during which he smashed five boundaries and three maximums. His 73-run stand with Anish (37) laid a solid foundation, but the momentum briefly shifted after the Knights' came up with a couple of quick wickets. However, Sairaj Patil's entry ensured that the Strikers remained in the contest as he smoked four towering sixes in his 22-ball unbeaten 47 to seal the deal for his side.
