Ranjane and Tromp Guide MetroPlex Tracers to Easy Win Over Lone Star Athletics
The Minor League Cricket (MiLC) 2025 Central Division produced another exciting contest as the MetroPlex Tracers secured a well-deserved six-wicket victory over the Lone Star Athletics at Moosa Stadium on September 21. The Athletics, after opting to bat first, posted a modest 138 for 6 in their 20 overs. The Tracers, in reply, chased down the target with 9 balls to spare, finishing at 139 for 4.
Lone Star’s innings started brightly with opener Shreyan Satheesh striking 18 off 15 balls, including two crisp boundaries and a six. His departure, however, came at the wrong time, caught in the deep off Matthew Tromp’s bowling. Partner Hrrit Hinge endured a difficult stay at the crease, laboring for 12 off 29 balls before being trapped lbw by Arshil Rajendra. His slow scoring rate added pressure to the middle order, which the Tracers’ bowlers exploited well.
Nitish Kumar, with a steady 28 off 26 balls, looked promising before falling to Rajendra, while Sidhesh Pathare departed without scoring. The innings was revived by the counter-attacking Sushant Modani, who lit up the stadium with a blistering 40 off just 21 balls. His innings featured five boundaries and a towering six, played at an impressive strike rate of 190.48. Captain Kamran Sheikh provided further stability with a handy 30 off 23 deliveries, finding the ropes with ease and ensuring the scoreboard moved at a decent pace. Despite their contributions, Lone Star fell short of a commanding total, closing on 138 for 6.
The Tracers’ bowlers executed their plans efficiently. Matthew Tromp led the way with 2 for 27, removing key batsmen at critical moments. Rajendra matched his performance with 2 for 27 as well, including the prized wicket of Nitish Kumar. Shubham Ranjane and Akhileshnandha Sudhakar picked up one wicket each, while experienced spinner Nosthush Kenjige kept things tight despite going wicketless.
Chasing 139, MetroPlex made a cautious yet effective start. They lost opener Ansh Bhoje early for a duck, caught behind off Aarin Nadkarni, but Aryan Tummala’s composed 33 off 29 balls steadied the innings. Tummala played risk-free cricket, rotating the strike with timely boundaries. At the other end, Joshua Tromp provided quick runs, smashing 14 off 10 balls before falling to Saad Humayun.
The middle overs saw Ranjane and Matthew Tromp take charge. Ranjane anchored the chase with an unbeaten 40 from 33 deliveries, ensuring that wickets at the other end did not derail the innings. Tromp, however, was the standout performer, scoring a match-winning 47 from just 31 balls. His knock featured two sixes and a pair of boundaries, played at a brisk strike rate of 151.61. Together, the duo put the Tracers firmly in control, with Tromp’s dismissal at 133 only delaying the inevitable.
The Athletics’ bowlers toiled hard but lacked the breakthroughs required to build pressure. Nadkarni, Humayun, and Khalid each claimed a wicket, but the lack of support from others meant Lone Star could not defend their total.
In the end, the MetroPlex Tracers cruised home to 139 for 4 in 18.3 overs, securing a confident six-wicket victory. Their clinical chase, spearheaded by Ranjane and Tromp, highlighted their depth in batting and composure under pressure. For Lone Star Athletics, the inability to capitalize on Modani’s explosive innings and their failure to push beyond 150 proved costly.
With this result, the Tracers strengthen their position in the Central Division, while Lone Star Athletics will need to regroup and find consistency if they hope to challenge stronger sides as the tournament progresses.
