AS one could say ... the final match of Celebrity Cricket League 2012 between Chennai and Karnataka wento to the wire ... i.e went down to last over thriller. In the end its chennai who hold their nerve to win the match and also the trophy.
The final saw stars from Tamil and Kannada tinsel world twinkle under the lights on a cricket field. At one stage, it looked as if it would be a perfect birthday gift for Bulldozers coach and former India star Gundappa Vishwanath. But, that was not to be as Chennai Rhinos kept cool under pressure in the exciting final over to pull off a last ball win. From the cricketing perspective, Vikraanth's unbeaten 95 helped Chennai Rhinos score 161 for four in 20 overs. In reply, Bulldozers recovered well from a dismal 34 for three at one stage. But it turned out to be a simple case of so near yet so far for them, this despite some sensible batting by Dhruv and Karthik and some shoddy fielding display in Rhinos, especially in the slog overs.
It was an exciting finish as Bulldozers required 10 runs from the last over from Vikraanth to clinch the issue. And, he cleaned up the well-set Dhruv (58, 46 balls) with the first ball. Captain Sudeep hit 4, 2, 2 before being run out. Then, Vikraanth ran out non-striker Karthik in his follow-through without completing that delivery, an action which stunned the Karnataka camp. Still two runs were needed of the last ball and another run out triggered off celebrations in Chennai camp.
The glamour in the form of the presence of stars like Charmee, Kajal drew huge response when their pictures were beamed on the giant screen.
At the end of it all, as both Sharath of Chennai Rhinos and Victory Venkatesh of Telugu Warriors remarked 'result' was not that all important and for them the journey of CCL has more significance.
.jpg)
