Delhi Premier League: Siddhartha Solanki fifer keeps Strikers alive and kicking

When nineteen-year-old Siddhartha Solanki of North Delhi Strikers walked into the dressing room on Saturday evening, team bowling coach Sanjeev Sharma, a former India pace bowler, paid the ultimate tribute a former player can give to a youngster.

Sharma had picked 5/26 in Sharjah against West Indies in 1988.

“You have bettered my spell,” he said before hugging the Player of the Match who helped North Delhi Strikers thrash South Delhi Superstarz by 61 runs in a Delhi Premier League match on Sunday afternoon with his spell of 5/19 in three overs.

Of course, there is massive difference between the two spells – one is international, against West Indies of yore, and the other is of state league.

It was a morale-boosting win for the Strikers who had conceded 308 runs against the Superstarz just a day ago and lost by 112 runs.  

“Yesterday wasn’t that good, so when we stepped into the field, we wanted to give our best. We were in a do-or-die situation and we had to give our best,” said the right-arm pacer who bowled tight lines and lengths and moved the ball both ways.

“I am feeling very good that the hard work of the last few weeks has materialised. I will also give my best in the upcoming matches and more five-wicket hauls will follow,” added Solanki who became the second bowler after Aayush Singh to pick a five-wicket haul in the DPL.

Solanki practices at the Aster Cricket Club in Greater Noida and represents the Three Star Club in Elite 1 division of Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) League.

“I wanted to bowl short of length and use the cutters well. Didn’t have to give room to the batsmen and not bowl in areas where batsmen can hit. I wanted to take wickets and give less runs,” said Solanki, who bowled tournament’s top-scorer, Priyansh Arya, with a ball that came back in. He also removed Kunwar Bidhuri, Saurabh Deswal, Tejasvi Dahiya, and Tarun Bisht as the Superstarz were bowled out for 148.  

Earlier, North Delhi Strikers had scored 209/4 in their 20 overs. Yash Dabas scored a 40-ball 68 while Vaibhav Rawal hit an unbeaten 56 off 34 balls. In response, Superstarz folded in 16 overs. Ayush Badoni was rested and Priyansh Arya led the South Delhi franchise.

Solanki said that they decided to overcome Friday’s humiliation by trying to consider it as an aberration.  

“This is cricket. Sometimes it is a good day, sometimes it is bad. Yesterday, our day was poor. We wanted to leave yesterday behind. In cricket, you have good days and bad days. Our day wasn’t good yesterday, the plans were good no doubt. The opposition did better,” said Solanki, who credited Sanjeev Sharma for guiding him on the right lines and lengths.

This was North Delhi franchise's fourth win of the tournament and took them to third place and in contention of a semi-final place. 

Brief Scores

North Delhi Strikers 209/4 in 20 overs (Yash Dabas 68 off 40, Vaibhav Rawal 56* off 34, Divij Mehra 2/44, Raghav Singh 2/44) beat South Delhi Superstarz 148 all out in 16 overs (Kunwar Bidhuri 42 off 21, Priyansh Arya 26 off 9, Siddhartha Solanki 5/19, Suyash Sharma 2/25)

Tags : Delhi Premier League, Cricket, Siddhartha Solanki, Yash Dabas, North Delhi Strikers, South Delhi Superstarz, Arun Jaitley Stadium, Ferozeshah Kotla