MPL 2017 kicked off with the Incredibles hosting the Justice League, on June 5th, @ Ashland Field.

• Ganesh Iyer, our dedicated grounds-man, our pitch-inspector, our ‘Thalaiva’, was present at the ground to help mark the inner-circle. He marked a few spots on the ground with paint – markers for the following matches. The incessant rain that started right after the match completed, might have the last say in whether those markers stay in place.
• Setting up the field, the inner circle, and the updated boundary all around the ground, took longer than expected for the first match of MPL 2017. Under overcast skies, both captains agreed to a reduced 12-overs a side match, and the match started at 6:15 PM – the mandatory power-play was also reduced from three overs to two overs.
• Justice League won the toss and chose to bowl first. As many waited for the power-duo of Anil Yedugani and Udith Hegde to open the bowling during the power-play, with only two fielders outside the inner-circle, Aditya Bhatter, captain of the Justice League, flipped the script, and had Sumit Nair and Sanchit Narang open the bowling, and how. Running in, bowling with pace, and hitting the deck hard. Justice League has a treasure trove of bowling options, as neither Anil nor Udith bowled their quota of three overs.
• Justice League attacked throughout their 12 overs with the ball, with close in fields. They only had one fielder outside the 30-yard circle for the first 10 overs, at the square leg boundary – Anil was the fielder, while Nakul and Sanket replaced him while Anil bowled. They had three fielders out deep in the leg for the final two overs, as Amit Doshi kept pushing the scoreboard for the Incredibles.
• Amit Doshi is a tall batsman. While batting he looks like to have a extra few moments to play the shot at all times. He looks elegant, and able to play on almost a different plain. While the Incredibles batsmen struggled against the Justice League bowlers, Amit played with ease against all bowlers. Anand Sumant supported him well during a good cameo.
• Sanchit meanwhile could be the best buy of the season. A fast bowler, hits the deck hard, and supposedly one of those precious few left-hand batsmen. Aditya claimed to have scouted him out, and knew of his steal at the Player’s Auction.
• Mohit Vaze was clearly disappointed at there not being a ‘Best Fielder’ award in the MPL 2016 Awards Night, and for not being the recipient for a such an award after collecting the most points for all his catches, stumpings and run-outs last season. He mentioned this at least twice during the match. Two catches, one run-out and 14 runs later, he clearly expressed his motivation in a winning cause for his team.
• Every once in a while, through the Player’s Auction, a captain is able to put together a squad that you look at and say wow. “This squad can send a team of 11 players to NECA” is one way of recognizing the strength of that squad. Incredibles and X-Men in the past have had such a squad. I reckon Justice League have such a quality squad this year. Alas, its founding member Mayank Advani, is not a Justice League member anymore.

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