Kolkata – History was scripted in the Bengal T20 League Season 3 at the Eden Gardens on Thursday as Karan Lal slammed 145 off just 64 balls with 14 sixes and 7 fours as Servotech Siliguri Strikers beat Adamas Howrah Warriors by 73 runs.
Karan’s ton is the second hundred scored in the League’s history, after Gaurav Chauhan’s 103 off 55 balls in Season 2. Karan’s knock helped Siliguri post highest team total in Bengal T20 League history – 231/2 in 20 overs. It included a record breaking 14 sixes and 7 boundaries at a strike rate of 226.56.
Captain Sudip Chatterjee (58 off 42) also impressed at top order.
In reply, Howrah were bowled out for 158 in 19.2 overs. Shakir Habib Gandhi (40 off 20) top-scored for his side. For Siliguri, Akhilesh Yadav (3-19), Shivamm Bharati (2-21) and Karan (2-29) impressed with the ball.
“Today I was more calmer and target was to bat as long as possible. When I found out that I was striking it well, from there on I started feeling more confident to target the bowlers. I was planning to play this type of an innings for a long time, to hit 12-13 sixes in an innings and today finally it paid off.
“During my practice sessions, I also aimed at hitting big sixes and today I got the result. When I practice at open grounds, I hit close to 100 sixes, so hitting sixes I had worked on it a lot and also on my bat speed,” Karan said after his memorable knock.
Karan Lal now tops the chart as leading run scorer (246 runs) and wicket taker (9 wickets) of the season.
RECORDS SCRIPTED BY KARAN LAL –
- Highest individual run in Bengal T20 League history- 145 (64)
- Most sixes in an innings- 14
- Most sixes in a season- 22
- Most runs in an over- 32 runs (15th over against Writtick Chatterjee).
Records by Servotech Siliguri Strikers –
- Most sixes in a team’s innings Siliguri: 16
- Highest Team Total- Siliguri- 231/2.
