Punjab Newsline,Sports:
India Chase 209 in 15.2 Overs, Fans Call It a “Value for Money” Match
India registered a splendid victory against New Zealand in the T20 match played at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in Raipur, winning the contest by 7 wickets. Chasing a massive target of 209 runs, the Indian team achieved the target in just 15.2 overs, losing only 3 wickets, showcasing their explosive batting strength.
Captain Suryakumar Yadav and opener Ishan Kishan were the stars of the Indian innings. Suryakumar Yadav played a blistering unbeaten knock of 82 runs off just 37 balls, while Ishan Kishan smashed 76 runs from 32 deliveries. The duo stitched together a crucial 122-run partnership, which completely took the match away from New Zealand. Ishan provided a fast start at the top, while Suryakumar displayed his trademark aggressive and innovative stroke play, leaving the New Zealand bowlers helpless.
There was a tremendous atmosphere in Raipur as cricket fans turned up in large numbers to watch the high-scoring encounter. The entry gates of the stadium were opened from 4 pm onwards, but heavy traffic congestion was reported across several parts of the city. Areas such as Atal Express Highway, Telibandha Chowk and VIP Road witnessed traffic jams due to the huge rush of spectators heading towards the stadium.
After India’s convincing win, fans were seen celebrating with great enthusiasm. Many spectators termed the match as a “paisa vasool” (value for money) performance. Rajendra Dev from Odisha said that he had come to cheer for Team India and thoroughly enjoyed the thrilling batting display. Several families attended the match along with their children. The children expressed their excitement and said they were eager to meet star all-rounder Hardik Pandya.
To ensure smooth movement for spectators coming from other cities, special traffic routes were issued by the authorities to avoid congestion. In the New Raipur area, the entry of medium and heavy vehicles was banned from 12 noon to 1 am. The Chhattisgarh Cricket Association also introduced a few changes for this match. Entry was not allowed after the first innings, and seating was allotted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Overall, the Raipur T20 match turned out to be a memorable and entertaining experience for cricket fans, filled with excitement, big hits and a dominant Indian victory.