[Watch] MS Dhoni-Inspired Sameer Rizvi Hits Bhuvneshwar For Six To Guide Kanpur To UP T20 League Final
Sameer Rizvi finished the match with a six like MS Dhoni (X)
Kanpur Superstars have clinched their spot in the Uttar Pradesh T20 League 2024 final, thanks to a nail-biting Super Over thriller against Lucknow Falcons. In a game where every ball felt like a battle, it was Sameer Rizvi's colossal six off Bhuvneshwar Kumar that sealed the deal, echoing shades of his IPL franchise, Chennai Super Kings' veteran MS Dhoni’s iconic finishes.
Rain played spoilsport throughout the day, casting doubt over the crucial Qualifier 2. The heavens opened up since the morning, leaving the ground drenched and the fate of the match hanging by a thread.
A rain-hit Qualifier 2 turns into a Super Over clash
The groundsmen though worked tirelessly to prepare the pitch for the showdown. With the clock ticking and the rain clouds finally retreating, the decision was made to play a Super Over — a high-stakes, one-over-per-side shootout that would decide who advances to the final.
Lucknow Falcons batted first, but their hopes were dashed as they crumbled under the pressure. Samarth Singh, known for his big-hitting, was sent packing on the very first ball.
Captain Priyam Garg tried to steady the ship, managing a boundary and a couple of runs, but the he also was got caught at deep mid-wicket in an attempt to up the ante, setting a modest seven run target for Kanpur.
Kanpur Superstars rise to the occasion
Chasing just 8 to secure a place in the final, Kanpur Superstars began cautiously. Sameer Rizvi, determined to stay calm under pressure, rotated the strike early, allowing Abhishek Pandey to chip in with a single of his own. But as the crowd held their breath, it became clear that Rizvi was saving his best for last.
With four runs still required off the final three deliveries, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, a seasoned campaigner, delivered a full-length ball, hoping to keep things tight. But Rizvi, channelling the nerves of steel reminiscent of his CSK idol MS Dhoni, swung his bat and sent the ball soaring over long off.
The crowd erupted as the ball sailed into the stands, sealing a dramatic victory for Kanpur Superstars with 3 balls to spare. In true Dhoni-esque fashion, Rizvi finished the match in style, sending his team straight into the Uttar Pradesh T20 League 2024 final to face Meerut Mavericks.
The stage is now set for the grand finale on Saturday, where Kanpur Superstars will take on the in-form Meerut Mavericks. Rizvi’s heroics in the Super Over have given his team the momentum they need, but the final promises to be another thrilling contest.