Asked to bat first, the Maharajas made a shaky start, losing Wasim Jaffer and Subramaniam Badrinath for respective ducks as they were reduced to 15/2 in 1.3 overs. Before the Giants could further capitalise, Maharajas’ wicketkeeper-batter Naman Ojha and captain Mohammad Kaif turned the tables upside down.
Ojha and Kaif didn’t allow the opposition to come back, punishing the bowlers all around the park. The duo went on to form a dominating partnership of 187 runs for the third wicket. Ojha took the Giants’ bowling attack to the cleaners and smashed a blistering century. The right-handed batter scored 140 off just 69 deliveries before getting out in the final over of Maharajas’ innings.
Kaif, on the other hand, played a supportive role and stayed unbeaten on 53 (47), taking his team’s total to 209/3 in 20 overs.
However, Ojha’s splendid century went in vain as Imran Tahir played a match-winning knock down the order, ensuring Giants register their first victory in the exciting tournament.
Tahir’s unbeaten 19-ball 52 snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. Apart from Tahir, Kevin Pietersen also shined with the bat, scoring 53 runs from 27 deliveries.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Just like old times. ?#RoyalsFamily pic.twitter.com/SAS344vbkE
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) January 22, 2022
What a knock by Naman Ojha in Legends League Cricket. 140 in 69 balls with 9 sixes. Opened the innings and India Maharajas were 2 down for just 15 runs and from then on put on a solid innings. pic.twitter.com/7Febrc8Kdv
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 22, 2022
Naman Ojha smashed 140 runs from 69 balls including 15 fours and 9 sixes against World Giants in the Legends League cricket. pic.twitter.com/hDQaWo45az
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 22, 2022
Imran Tahir 52* off just 19 with 3 fours and 5 sixes in Legends Cricket League in the sucessful chase of 210 runs.
— Abhi. (@Abhicricket18) January 22, 2022
Naman Ojha Scored ? In Just 57 Balls ? #LegendsLeagueCricket pic.twitter.com/6Oxg0Sthrh
— Shivam Jaiswal ?? (@7jaiswalshivam) January 22, 2022
Godly knock. Imran Tahir. Unn baazuon mein aaj bhi dum hai. Kaafi zyada. Well played! #LegendsLeagueCricket
— Jaanvi? (@ThatCric8Girl) January 22, 2022
42 years old, Imran Tahir has won a match for the World Giants with his bat – scoring 52* off 19 balls. 5 sixes. Went 6 0 6 in the final over. That second ball was a rejected single. Cricket is crazy! #LegendsLeagueCricket
— Shubh Aggarwal (@shubh_chintak) January 22, 2022
One of the most comical finishes I’ve seen in a long time. Imran Tahir wins a game out of nowhere with the bat scoring 52*(19) for World Giants. #LegendsLeagueCricket
— Peeyush Sharma (@peeyushsharmaa) January 22, 2022
When The Last Time Naman Ojha Scored A Century Against KXIP, His Team SRH Lost The Match In IPL 2014.
Today He Scored A Century Against World Giants And His Team #IndiaMaharajas Lost The Match. #LegendsLeagueCricket
— Oggy ? (@SirOggyBilla) January 22, 2022
#LegendsLeagueCricket
Naman Ojha to IPL auction pic.twitter.com/xRXBueyo09
— ?????? ?????? (@shiv0769) January 22, 2022
#LegendsLeagueCricket
Naman Ojha to IPL auction pic.twitter.com/xRXBueyo09
— ?????? ?????? (@shiv0769) January 22, 2022
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