Bengal T20 League: Former RCB player stars with 5 Wickets as Malda smashes Kolkata by 10 Wickets

A dominant bowling effort led by former Royal Challengers Bengaluru spinner Prayas Ray Barman powered Sobisco Smashers Malda to a 10-wicket victory over Kolkata Royal Tigers in the Bengal T20 League Season 3 match at Eden Gardens on Friday.

Batting first, Kolkata Royal Tigers lost wickets at regular intervals and were bundled out for 92 in 14.3 overs. Besides Prayas, Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal bagged two wickets. Prayas was the start of the show as he picked up 5 wickets, conceding just 16 runs in the process.

Chasing the target, Akhil (69 not out off 24) and Abhimanyu Easwaran (23 not out off 18) got the job done in just seven overs as Malda reached 93 without loss.

Earlier in the day’s first match, Murshidabad Kings beat Rashmi Nes Medinipur Wizards by 28 runs (DLS Method) to register their first victory of the season.

Batting first, Murshidabad Kings scored 201/5 in 20 overs, thanks to Rishabh Chaudhary (71 off 49), Saksham Chaudhary (50 off 37) and Toufik Uddin Mondal (37 off 17). For Medinipur Wizards, Debopratim Halder bagged two wickets.

In reply, Medinipur Wizards were 95/5 in 11.5 overs when rain stopped play. With the weather showing no signs of improvement, Murshidabad Kings were declared winners. Priyanshu Gaurav Srivastava (32 off 22) top-scored for his side.

Prayas Ray Barman spoke after the match as he claimed a fifer. He currently holds the Purple Cap with 9 wickets to his name.

“From the first practice session, we’ve been working really hard in the nets, and we also had a practice game. I had a word with the captain once I got picked, and he said that he had full faith in me. So I think it was my time to deliver for him and for the team. I’ve been trying to do that. I had four wickets in the first three matches, but finally all the hard work paid off in this game,” he said.