Dear HCL community,
MSK win the championship
The Hand Cricket League officially declares Mumbai Super Kings the champions of Season 5. MSK beat Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam by 3 wickets in the Final: TVK 194, MSK 200.
It completes a season MSK led from the front. They topped the league with 11 wins from 16, lost Qualifier 1 to TVK, then came back through Qualifier 2 against NN to reach the Final and finish the job. TVK are the Season 5 runners-up.
Ayush turns the Final with 3/47
TVK won the toss and chose to bat, and the match was decided by the bowling. Ayush took 3 for 47 and removed the top of the order: B. Harish for 10, Sarvesh for 20, then Syed for 17.
With three wickets gone cheaply, only Arjun stood up. His 147 kept TVK alive and carried them to 194, but by then the innings had been broken open, and 194 was a long way short of where TVK looked to be heading.
Jaiprajen's 126 sets up the chase
Chasing 195, MSK leaned on Jaiprajen. His 126 was the innings of the match and the reason the chase never drifted out of reach — by the time he was done, the target had gone from daunting to manageable.
It caps a strong playoff run for Jaiprajen, who also made 117 in Qualifier 2 to put MSK into the Final.
Thishyaketh finishes it
Captain Thishyaketh was there at the end, unbeaten on 74, and took MSK home with 3 wickets in hand. A captain's innings in the truest sense: he did not need to dominate, he needed to not get out, and he did not.
It is Thishyaketh's first title as MSK captain, after leading the side in every season since Season 1.
Season 5 awards
Player of the Tournament: Ayush (MSK). He finished the season as its most decisive bowler and struck the opening blows in the Final.
Purple Cap: Ayush (MSK), 41 wickets in Season 5.
Orange Cap: Arjun (TVK), the season's leading run scorer.
Thanks to Abhay Varman
HCL thanks Abhay Varman for officiating the Season 5 Final. The match ran from first ball to last without a single dispute, and the league records its appreciation.
The Final scorecard
TVK 194 — Arjun 147, Sarvesh 20, Syed 17, B. Harish 10.
MSK 200 — Jaiprajen 126, Thishyaketh 74 not out.
Bowling: Ayush 3/47 (B. Harish, Sarvesh, Syed). MSK won by 3 wickets.
Mumbai Super Kings are the official HCL Season 5 champions. Ayush is Player of the Tournament and Purple Cap winner, Arjun takes the Orange Cap, and Season 5 is now complete.