Deccan Gladiators crowned champions of Abu Dhabi T10 Season 5

Deccan Gladiators clinched their first-ever Abu Dhabi T10 title after defeating Delhi Bulls by 56 runs on Saturday. After the opening batters Andre Russell and Tom Kohler-Cadmore put up a huge total of 159/0 on the board for Deccan Gladiators, the Delhi Bulls couldn’t find the momentum during their chase and eventually fell short by 56 runs.

Chandrapaul Hemraj tried to get things going for the Bulls, as he smacked Russell for two boundaries and a six in the fifth over, however, he kept losing partners at the other end. Hemraj played a breezy innings of 42 runs off 20 balls, but his stay at the crease ended when he was dismissed by Wanindu Hasaranga in the sixth over. Post Hemraj’s departure, the Deccan Gladiators kept putting pressure on their opponents and eventually walked off the field as champions. Odean Smith, Wanindu Hasaranga and Tymal Mills picked up 2 wickets each in the match.

Andre Russell goes berserk

Earlier, Andre Russell and Tom Kohler-Cadmore recorded the highest partnership in the history of Abu Dhabi T10. The opening batters strung an explosive partnership of 159/0 in 10 overs. Andre Russell played a scintillating innings of 90 runs from 32 balls, laced with 9 fours and 7 sixes and he was ably supported by Tom Kohler-Cadmore, who smashed 59 runs from 28 balls. Kohler-Cadmore hit 3 fours and 5 sixes during his innings.

Russell took on Dominic Drakes, smacking him for two sixes in the third over and then he struck two boundaries and a six off Dwayne Bravo’s bowling in the fifth over. The West Indian also smashed Romario Shepherd for two boundaries and a six in the eighth over. Kohler-Cadmore also upped the ante in the last over, hitting a six and a four off Bravo’s bowling, helping the Gladiators post an imposing total.

Delhi Bulls’ Shiraz Ahmed, who took 6 wickets in the tournament, won the UAE Player of the Tournament award. Dominic Drakes won the Bowler of the Tournament award. The Delhi Bulls speedster picked up 19 wickets in the Abu Dhabi T10. Rahmanullah Gurbaz bagged the Batter of the Tournament award. The Delhi Bulls batter scored 343 runs in the tournament. Wanindu Hasaranga was adjudged the Player of the Tournament. The Deccan Gladiators leg-spinner was also the highest wicket-taker with 21 wickets.

Brief scores: Deccan Gladiators 159/0 (Andre Russell 90*, Tom Kohler-Cadmore 59*, Fazalhaq Farooqi 0-25) beat Delhi Bulls 103/7 (Chandrapaul Hemraj 42, Adil Rashid 15*, Wanindu Hasaranga 2-20) by 56 runs.