Harbhajan Singh's Manipal Tigers clinch LLC t20 2023 title after beating Suresh Raina's side

NEW DELHI: Manipal Tigers emerged victorious in the second edition of Legends League Cricket in a riveting final showdown at the Lalabhai Contractor Stadium in Surat, defeating Urbanrisers Hyderabad by 5 wickets with six balls to spare.
Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, Manipal Tigers' captain, Harbhajan Singh, marshalled his team with strategic acumen. Facing the early departure of Martin Guptill without scoring, Urbanrisers Hyderabad encountered further setbacks as Dwayne Smith was dismissed for 21 runs by Mitchel McClenaghan.Rikki Clarke's stellar knock of 80, coupled with Gurkeerat Singh's impressive 64, propelled Urbanrisers Hyderabad to a competitive total of 187/5 in 20 overs.
In response, Manipal Tigers showcased resilience and determination in chasing down the target. The opening pair of Robin Uthappa (40) and Chadwick Walton (29) set the foundation with a 71-run partnership. Despite the loss of key wickets, Asela Gunaratne's brilliant unbeaten 51, supported by contributions from Angelo Perera (30) and Thisara Perera (25), steered Manipal Tigers towards victory.

In a dramatic conclusion, with just one run needed for victory, Thisara Perera's dismissal added suspense to the match. However, Colin de Grandhomme stepped up, smashing a six off the first ball he faced to secure the championship for Manipal Tigers.
Stuart Binny emerged as the standout bowler for Urbanrisers Hyderabad, claiming 3 wickets for 20 runs. Shadab Jakati and Jerome Taylor also chipped in with a wicket each. Panjak Singh (2/43), Mitchell McClenaghan, and Thisara Perera contributed crucial wickets for Manipal Tigers.