Rachin Ravindra Hits 98 As Welsh Fire Beat London

Rachin Ravindra smashes a record 98 runs in a dominant home win.

Kiwi Stars Shine

With the home team delivering a stunning and surprising win, the atmosphere at Sophia Gardens was electric.

Playing in front of a record-breaking Cardiff crowd, the Welsh Fire (Men) made great use of their star overseas players. Two superb Kiwis came to the rescue in a thriller encounter against the three-time defending champions.

Early Wickets

It was not the ideal start for the hosts, having to bowl first under the stadium lights. The defending champions struck early, sending both openers packing with a dangerous opening stand of only 20 for two.

The home fans were growing impatient, seeing their star player getting out after just a few balls as the score was still 20 for 2 after 22 deliveries.

Ravindra Takes Charge

As the pressure mounted, Rachin Ravindra came out to bat as if he was playing on a different pitch. He kept hitting the sixes and twos at will.

He showed no fear whatsoever against the feared spinner by hitting him out of the park for a six to the mid-wicket fence. Ravindra then accelerated further to reach fifty in only 22 deliveries with a couple of sixes in the process.

Breaking Franchise Records

There was no stopping the young prodigy as he continued hitting the sixes with a frightening ease, leaving the Welsh fans in absolute awe. He hit four sixes in a row in only eight deliveries that sent the Welsh fans into delirium as he broke the franchise record previously held by Jonny Bairstow.

Heartbreak Runs Away From Century

The whole stadium was rocking as he chased the elusive century, but heartbreak was waiting for him as he was out for a stunning ninety-eight on the ninety-eighth delivery. He failed to connect with the next ball that he mistimed, skying it to the deep mid-wicket, leaving the Welsh supporters to give him a standing ovation.

London Starts Their Chase

Having scored 168, the chasing side MI London (Men) lost an early wicket but recovered really well and were well on course for the victory target. After forty-six balls, they were sitting pretty at 72 for 1. The experienced batting unit looked confident about the ability to post a competitive total against their feisty opponents.

Ferguson Strikes Twice

MI London’s chasing authority was shattered when the speedy fast bowler Lockie Ferguson was brought back into the attack. He sent both the openers packing, with the second one lbw with hardly any score on the scoreboard. This double strike unsettled the batting order as the next two batters were also out in quick succession.

Vince Plays Well

Despite the blow to their chances, James Vince made sure that MI London did not fold under pressure. He launched a brilliant attacking innings, scoring 66 from thirty-eight balls with a couple of sixes. His attacking stroke-making saved the game for the visitors as they desperately needed to recover from the early blows.

Stunning Return Catch Saves The Day

True to the old saying that cometh the hour, cometh the man. As expected, Rachin Ravindra came to the rescue yet again with a stunning return catch to dismiss the dangerous Vince.

Victory Secured With A Strike

They were all out in the end as the visitors failed to accelerate enough in the final overs. The excellent leg-spinner Ferguson did a magnificent job by cleaning up the tail in sensational fashion as he picked up four wickets for only 25 runs. An awesome win to secure the second win of the campaign for the hosts as MI London were blown away for a fifteen-run loss.