Disciplined bowling and fearless batting help Tiigers finish league stage in fourth
Surat, February 3: Tiigers of Kolkata closed out their league stage campaign with a composed and clinical victory over Hyderabad in their final league fixture of the ISPL. Put in to bowl first, the Tiigers produced a disciplined bowling performance to restrict Hyderabad to 76/9 in 10 overs, before chasing down the target comfortably in 9.1 overs. The win ensured a fourth-place finish on the points table, booking Tiigers of Kolkata a spot in the playoffs.
The foundation of the victory was laid by a sharp and relentless bowling effort, led once again by 17-year-old Ankit Yadav, who continues to grow from strength to strength with every outing. Ankit delivered a standout spell of 3 wickets for 15 runs in two overs, earning the coveted Gully to Glory Award for his impact. He was ably supported by Shivam Kumar, who conceded just 7 runs in his two overs, and Arish Khan, whose incisive swing ball spell of 2 wickets for 10 runs further choked Hyderabad’s scoring. Together, the bowling unit ensured there was no room for recovery, applying pressure from the start.
In the chase, Man of the Match Saroj Paramanik scripted a powerful turnaround after a difficult previous night. Opening the batting, Saroj gave the Tiigers a fairytale start, smashing 20 runs off the first over to set the tone early. He went on to score a fluent 32 off 17 balls, striking two towering nine-run hits and two boundaries, anchoring the chase with authority. Captain Bhavesh Pawar added the finishing touches with a brisk cameo of 15 off 6 balls, as the Tiigers cruised home without losing momentum.
While the scoreboard reflected a comfortable win, the deeper story of the night belonged to Ankit Yadav — a young cricketer whose journey mirrors the very essence of the ISPL. Playing only his first season in the league, Ankit has emerged as one of Tiigers of Kolkata’s most consistent performers with the ball. Having come through the Central Zone trials, he seized his one opportunity in the high-pressure simulation match and has since justified that faith with disciplined spells and fearless execution. Raised in Banaras and shaped by competitive local leather-ball cricket, Ankit carries himself with maturity beyond his years. Balancing Class 12 studies alongside professional cricket, and driven by personal responsibility after losing his father in 2017, Ankit has let performances do the talking. From bringing Tiigers back into the game against Ahmedabad in the previous match to leading the bowling attack once again against Hyderabad, his rise has been calm, consistent, and compelling — marking him as an extraordinary find for the franchise.
Speaking after the match Ankit Yadav said: “I’m thankful to the Tiigers management and coaches for trusting me. I just focus on sticking to my basics and giving my best every time I get the ball. This opportunity means a lot to me and my family, and I want to keep improving and contributing to the team in every match.”
Player of the Match Saroj Paramanik said, “Last night was one of the toughest phases for me as a sportsperson. I didn’t sleep at all, but Aksha Kamboj Ma’am, my seniors, mentors, and the management backed me and told me to stay strong. Today, I walked in with a purpose — whether with the ball or the bat. The outside noise doesn’t affect me; this is my profession and my livelihood. I knew I had to respond on the field, and I’m proud I could do that for my team.”
Skipper Bhavesh Paawar complimented the team, “This was a statement performance from the entire group. The bowlers executed their plans perfectly and the batters showed fearless intent from ball one. Ankit’s growth has been outstanding, and performances like this show the character of this team. We’re peaking at the right time.”
Assistant coach Bharat Meher echoed that sentiment, “What stood out was the discipline and clarity shown by the players. Ankit continues to impress with how quickly he learns and adapts, and the senior players backed that energy brilliantly. This is the kind of performance that builds belief heading into the playoffs.”
Tiigers of Kolkata will now shift focus to the Eliminator, where they will take on Mumbai at the Lalbhai Contractor Stadium, Surat, on 5th February 2026, with the match scheduled to begin at 07:00 PM IST.
