IC vs SSS

We now come to the end of our coverage of the 2023 Legends League Cricket for the day. We will be back with more of the same tomorrow - Gujarat Giants take on the Urbanrisers Hyderabad at this very venue. Join us right here on Sportskeeda for our coverage of the same, and of course, a whole lot more! This is Rajarshi, signing off on behalf of Pradeep. Good night - see you tomorrow!

Gautam Gambhir, India Capitals captain: Good win, thought that Ricardo was unbelievable, he took the pressure, kept hitting those big shots which he's known for. Overall, it was a clinical run-chase. We thought we need to be more positive, when the chips are down, just go out there and be even more positive. Ricardo at the top of the order was given that freedom of going from ball one, and he executed it very well. They bowled really well, we got two wickets in the first six overs. Hamish coming back gave us more options. Tambe chipped in, all the bowlers chipped in. We were very comfortable in the run-chase. The wicket got better because of the dew, so I thought the bowlers were outstanding. The positive from today was that we were able to restrict the opposition to 160, would have taken it hands down had someone told me this at the start of the game. Bowling was absolutely phenomenal, they set the game up for us.

Ross Taylor (Southern Superstars captain): You got to give credit to Ricardo, batting fantastically well, tough wicket out there but I think the way he got himself in, he took a bit of time but after that first drinks break, he took the game away from us, won it convincingly at the end. We were happy at that stage, was a difficult wicket, spending time on it but I don't think the wicket got any better but if someone gets a hundred like that and you have 160 on the board, it's difficult any day. Around the 10 over mark, we thought we were in but got to give credit to Ricardo, we were a bit off when someone plays like that, but we will hopefully change the fortune in Jammu.

No prizes for guessing the player of the match, it's Ricardo Powell! Here's what he has to say: I think I felt good tonight here, in terms of just opening and I got a good start and carried on from there. For me in terms is about playing naturally, comes easily to me, the wicket was slow but once I got my eye in, I went after it. I like to open the batting, yes. We would've done the same, in terms of opening and in the last game too it went well, lucky charm.

Match summary:

India Capitals win by 7 wickets with 20 balls to spare

Ricardo Powell 100 (57) | Rusty Theron 2/19 (4)
Chaturanga de Silva 56 (34) | Pawan Negi 1/15 (1)

The run-chase was about one and only one man - Ricardo Powell. It wasn't quite like the 93-ball 124 in Singapore all those years ago against India, but this one helped his team coast past the finish line with plenty of time to spare as well! On a deck where the ball seemed to move all over the place and kick off the deck at times, the bulky West Indian chose his bowlers to attack, took calculated risks, and presented us with an evening to remember!

Kirk Edwards went on to play the ideal second-fiddle role to him. For a large part of his innings, Edwards was striking at less than a 100, knocking the ball around for singles, handing the strike back to Powell and enjoying the entertainment from the non-striker's end. Once Powell was out, Edwards wasted no time in finishing the game off, tonking Bipul Sharma for 15.

Powell was onto the Super Stars bowlers right from the word go, smashing 10 off the first over from Lakmal. His skipper, Gautam Gambhir, struggled to get going as Lakmal kept taking the ball away from him and fell soon after. Gnaneswara Rao was then run out trying to take a quick run with what seemed like a dodgy calf or hamstring, but after that, Powell, joined by Edwards, steered the Capitals towards safety.

There were occasions when Powell was done in by absolute peaches - both against pace and spin, particularly against Hamid Hassan. But the Jamaican maximized on anything that was remotely loose in terms of line, and the ball flew deep into the stands. 10 sixes came off his blade, the last of which helped him reach three figures. By the time he was dismissed, the job was done, and it was left to Pietersen and Edwards to knock off the 15 runs with just over 4 overs remaining. Onto the presentation ceremony now...

16.4 Bipul Sharma to Kirk Edwards, FOUR! GAME, SET AND MATCH! Thumping win this from the Capitals, they get off the mark finally of the third game, but the Superstars remain winless after two games. Length delivery on the stumps, Edwards sweeps it behind square, races away to deep backward square-leg ropes to seal the deal!

16.2 Bipul Sharma to Kirk Edwards, SIX! BAM! Alright, Edwards has seen enough and he doesn't waste anytime either. Length delivery on the stumps, Edwards steps down the track and clobbered it straight down the ground for a maximum.

16.1 Bipul Sharma to Kirk Edwards, FOUR! Delicate touch from Edwards, drops it short outside the off-stump. Edwards waits and opens the face of the blade, dabs it down to third-man, races away and finds the ropes.

To think Kevin Pietersen walks in after a rampage from Rovman Powell! Just a mere glance towards wide mid on, and the Capitals get within 11 of the finish line!

15.6 Pawan Negi to Kevin Pietersen, FOUR! Pietersen means business, doesn't waste anytime. Drops it short on the stumps, Pietersen went back and clipped it past mid-wicket, races away and finds the ropes.

Hundred and out! At last, Powell mishits one - truth be told, it was a bit of blind swing, but you can afford one when you're batting on a hundred with 15 left to get! Time-out has been taken... not much to discuss at this stage, though!

15.5 Pawan Negi to Ricardo Powell, OUT! UP IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! Powell departs after a remarkable knock. Length delivery on the off-stump, Powell looks to hoick but miscued it straight up as Bipul at backward point takes a sitter.

Ricardo Powell c Bipul Sharma b Pawan Negi 100 (57b, 6x4, 10x6)

15.3 Pawan Negi to Ricardo Powell, SIX! HUNDRED FOR RICARDO POWELL! This has been quite a sensational knock from Powell, one man show through and through as Rajarshi said. Fires the length delivery, in the slot and Powell dispatches it all the way over long-on for a maximum to get to his hundred in style.