Surat: Konark Suryas Odisha (KSO) didn’t know what hit them at the Lalbhai Contractor Stadium here on Wednesday night.
Having posted a challenging total of 192/9 in 20 overs, Konark Suryas Odisha were blown away by the power hitting of former New Zealand opener Martin Guptill in their Legends League Cricket (LLC) clash.
The right-hander bludgeoned 9 fours and 11 sixes to remain unbeaten on 131 off just 54 deliveries, as he singlehandedly guided Southern Super Stars (SSS) to an 8-wicket win with four overs to spare.
SSS, having won all their 5 matches so far, sealed a playoff berth.
KSO, on the other hand, are currently in third place with 4 points from as many games, and will need to win 2 of their remaining 3 games in Jammu & Kashmir to be sure of making the playoffs.
Tournament debutants Konark Suryas Odisha were back in action after a gap of 12 days since their opening win against Manipal Tigers as their previous fixtures were abandoned without a ball being bowled at this very venue.
Asked to bat first, KSO got off to a rollicking start thanks to Richard Levi’s breathtaking 63 off 21 balls, which included 9 fours and 4 sixes.
Yusuf Pathan made 33 off 22, but KSO fell 30 runs short of what they would have expected at the halfway stage of their innings.
KSO bowlers managed to keep SSS batters under check in the early overs, before Guptill broke loose and plundered 34 runs (6, 6, 4, 6, 6, 6) in the sixth over, bowled by Navin Stewart.
Thereafter, it was one-way traffic as all KSO bowlers, except for Vinay Kumar, suffered at the hands of Guptill.
Konark Suryas Odisha will now travel to Jammu where they face India Capitals on October 4.
Brief Scores
Konark Suryas Odisha 192/9 in 20 overs (Richard Levi 63, Yusuf Pathan 33; Suboth Bhati 3/22).
Southern Super Stars 195/2 in 16 overs (Martin Guptill 131*; Ben Laughlin 1/26).
Result: Southern Super Stars won by 8 wkts.
Player of the Match: M Guptill.
KSO’s next game: Vs India Capitals (Oct 4, Jammu).