The LSW Rising Stars cricket team has scripted a remarkable turnaround in their fortunes with a thrilling victory that has set the tone for their season. After a disheartening run in the 2023-24 season, where they failed to secure a single win, the team has bounced back with a vengeance, chasing down a formidable target of 196 runs with an over to spare in their opening match.

Winning the toss and electing to chase on the unpredictable flexi pitch, the Rising Stars were up against the Belchers, who got off to a flying start. The Belchers’ openers took the score to 64 in just 7 overs without losing a wicket. However, the Rising Stars’ bowlers, led by Sheehan Audrey, who made the breakthrough in the 8th over, managed to pull things back. Ravindu Srimal and Manjula Chaminda’s bowling efforts further tightened the screws on the opposition.

Despite this, Kush Shah of the Belchers played a pivotal role in the middle overs, scoring a rapid 54 off just 24 balls, propelling his team to a challenging total of 196/7. Manjula Chaminda emerged as the standout bowler for the Rising Stars, finishing with figures of 2 for 26.

The chase required the Rising Stars to find a hero, and they found one in the form of Ishan Nihara. The openers, Qasim Iqbal and Ali Hamid, provided a dream start, but a mini-collapse saw the team struggling at 96/5. It was at this critical juncture that Ishan Nihara stepped up, playing a blistering innings that completely changed the game’s momentum. His onslaught included five consecutive sixes off Vibhor’s bowling in an over that leaked 42 runs.

In a dramatic turn of events, the match took an unexpected twist. Despite the setback of losing key players Ravindu and Ishan at a crucial juncture, the team still needed to chase down a challenging 20 runs. It was at this pivotal moment that Lara Kumar stepped up to the crease, channeling the legendary prowess of Brian Lara. With poise and determination, Kumar skillfully knocked off the required runs in the 19th over, clinching a thrilling 1 wicket victory for Rising Star. This win was not just a triumph but a historic moment for the team, marking their first victory of the season and setting a precedent for future matches. Lara Kumar’s performance will be remembered as a testament to the spirit of cricket, where perseverance and skill can turn the tide in the face of adversity.