Ratnagiri Jets take flight into the MPL 2024 playoffs
The Ratnagiri Jets beat Ruturaj Gaikwad’s 4S Puneri Bappa by six runs on June 18 at the MCA Stadium in Pune. This result sealed their berth in the Maharashtra Premier League playoffs and guaranteed them a fixture in Qualifier 1. They will be facing off against the Eagle Nashik Titans later today.
The Ratnagiri Jets started the campaign with a perfect record in their first four matches. However, the second half of the season was a mixed bag, as they lost four out of six encounters.
Despite not being at their best, the Ratnagiri Jets finished at the top of the table, replicating their success from the inaugural MPL last year. Azim Kazi and his team are eager to win the coveted trophy once again.
First, though, they must overcome the Eagle Nashik Titans, who have been in excellent form this season. The Titans concluded the league stage equal on points with the Jets, with only net run rate separating them. Moreover, they have defeated the reigning champions twice this season, winning by 9 wickets in a 5-over match and by 21 runs in another encounter.
The winner of this match between the Ratnagiri Jets and the Eagle Nashik Titans will go directly to the finals on Saturday. The loser will have another chance in Qualifier 2, scheduled for Friday. There is a lot at stake when the two teams go head-to-head tonight.
Nikhil Naik and Vijay Pavle’s death over heroics ensure a win over 4S Puneri Bappa
The Ratnagiri Jets struggled against the 4S Puneri Bappa, and if it weren’t for the efforts of Nikhil Naik and Vijay Pavle, the outcome could have been very different.
Nikhil Naik walked in to bat with the Jets at 114/3 in the 15th over. The wicketkeeper-batter then unleashed a blistering innings, scoring 41 runs off just 19 balls, carrying his team to a competitive total of 178/5.
The opposition team’s wicketkeeper, Ruturaj Gaikwad, had a similar opportunity to finish the game with a flourish, but Vijay Pavle had other plans. With just 10 runs needed in the last over and a player of Gaikwad’s ilk out in the middle, the odds were on 4S Puneri Bappa to win the match.
However, Pavle delivered under pressure. He held his nerves and conceded just three runs in the final over. Naik was named Player of the Match for his explosive batting display, but he graciously shared the accolade with Pavle. Pavle’s bowling in the final over was nearly as crucial to the victory as Naik’s flurry of boundaries.
This triumph carried significant importance for the Ratnagiri Jets, particularly because their form had been somewhat inconsistent over the past week. A tight win like this might be the perfect fuel for them to go on and win the MPL for the second time in a row.
