IVPL: Richard Levi shines as Red Carpet Delhi beats Chhattisgarh Warriors by 22 runs

IVPL: Richard Levi smashed a blistering century as Red Carpet Delhi defeated Chhattisgarh Warriors by 22 runs in the second match of the Indian Veteran Premier League (IVPL) here at the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex in Greater Noida on Friday.

Red Carpet Delhi set the tone early, posting an imposing total of 255/4 in their allotted 20 overs, courtesy of Levi’s scintillating century and a late blitz from Thisara Perera. Despite valiant efforts from Naman Ojha and Saurabh Tiwary, Chhattisgarh Warriors fell short in their chase, folding for 233/10.

In the last two overs, Chhattisgarh Warriors needed 45 runs and the side were only able to score 22 before getting folded for 233/10. For Red Carpet Delhi, Samiullah Beigh picked four while Bipul Sharma took three wickets each.

Asked to bat first, Red Carpet Delhi got off to a firing start scoring 72 runs in the first 7 overs. Munaf Patel dismissed Red Carpet Delhi skipper Herschelle Gibbs in the eighth over and tried to put some break on the scoring spree.

However, Richard Levi had other as he continued his onslaught. From 72/1 Levi took Red Carpet Delhi to 190/2 in just 8 overs. The opening batter unleashed an array of shots and clubbed 6 fours and 15 sixes as he scored 133 runs in 52 balls. Thisara Perera’s quickfire 38 off 14 balls further bolstered their total as they reached a commanding score.

Chasing 256, Chhattisgarh Warriors suffered an early blow as Samiullah Beigh dismissed Jatin Saxena for a duck. The Warriors also lost Gurkeerat Singh Mann inside the powerplay.

However, Naman Ojha kept his calm, steered the Warriors’ innings, and took the score over the 100-run mark before the completion of 10 overs. Bipul Sharma, who had picked three wickets, dismissed Ojha in the 10th over.

Ashley Nurse in the next over dismissed Asghar Afghan to dent Chhattisgarh Warriors’ hope. But Saurabh Tiwary smashed four sixes and seven fours to keep the hopes alive. He took the Warriors from 45/2 to 196/8. However, with 45 runs needed from the final two overs, they succumbed to the disciplined bowling attack of Red Carpet Delhi, ultimately falling short of the target.

Chhattisgarh Warriors will now lock horns with Mumbai Champions on Monday while Red Carpet Delhi will meet VVIP Uttar Pradesh on Sunday before Telangana Tigers faces Rajasthan Legends in the afternoon encounter.