Tiigers of Kolkata produced a statement performance in their eighth ISPL fixture against Srinagar, cruising to a commanding 93-run victory after choosing to bat first. In the process, the Tiigers shattered their own team record of 136, piling up a formidable 149 runs in just 10 overs. The 93-run margin stands as the largest victory by runs in the history of the India Street Premier League, underlining Kolkata’s complete dominance and marking the contest as one of the most one-sided displays the tournament has witnessed. The win lifts Tiigers to third place on the points table, leapfrogging Ahmedabad on net run rate (Tiigers: 1.401, Ahmedabad: 1.211) as the league heads into a decisive phase.
At the heart of this statement win was a performance for the ages from Krushna Gawali, who announced himself to the ISPL with authority in his debut season. Named Man of the Match, Krushna smashed a breathtaking 74 off just 26 balls — the highest individual score of ISPL history— laced with four towering nine-run hits, four sixes and a boundary. It was not just with the bat that he made his presence felt. Krushna was electric in the field, saving crucial runs at the boundary and pulling off the Best Catch of the Match, making him a constant force throughout the contest.
Supporting the onslaught was skipper Bhavesh Pawar, who lived up to his Gully to Glory reputation with a blistering cameo in the middle overs. Bhavesh struck a rapid 34, peppered with a nine-run hit, two sixes and two boundaries, before making an equally telling impact with the ball. His two-over spell cost just 12 runs and yielded two key wickets, further tightening Tiigers’ grip on the match. Mahesh Nangude added late fireworks with an explosive 11 off just 3 balls, while birthday boy Rajat Mundhe marked the occasion with a miserly spell, picking up a wicket and conceding only 8 runs in his two overs.
For Krushna Gawali, this night was more than just a breakout innings — it was the culmination of a journey that began far away from floodlights and packed stadiums. Born and raised in Tuljapur, a small village in Maharashtra with little access to organised cricket, Krushna’s early relationship with the game was built from the fringes. With no academies, no coaches and no clear pathway, he started by fielding outside the boundary, returning tennis balls to senior players and quietly learning the game by watching. A local senior, Avesh Mamu, noticed his hunger and gave him his first real chance — a small opening that changed his life. With no financial backing and no sporting background at home, Krushna played on borrowed bats and pure belief. Over time, persistence turned into progress, and progress into opportunity. The 2026 season marks his first appearance in the India Street Premier League (ISPL), and on this night in Tiigers colours, the boy who once stood outside the ropes owned the stage. From Tuljapur to ISPL, Krushna didn’t just arrive — he belonged
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
