Konark Suryas Odisha stormed into the Legends League Cricket 2026 final after demolishing India Tigers by 8 wickets in Semi Final 1 at Haldwani.
Rain interrupted proceedings, and the DLS method revised the target to 75 runs in 10 overs. However, Kennar Lewis ensured the chase ended in just 6.3 overs with a breathtaking knock.
India Tigers posted 132 all out in 16.1 overs, with Akalanka Ganegama smashing a brilliant 68 off 39 balls. Unfortunately, the middle order collapse undid his hard work as Malinda Pushpakumara ran through the batting lineup.
The Sri Lankan spinner claimed sensational figures of 5/12 in just 3.1 overs, earning the Player of the Match award. Subsequently, Kennar Lewis annihilated the bowling attack with an unbeaten 55 off 22 balls at a strike rate of 250, sealing the win with 21 balls to spare.
Match Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Semi Final 1 (Rescheduled) |
| Tournament | Legends League Cricket 2026 |
| Date | March 27, 2026 |
| Venue | Indira Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Haldwani |
| Result | Konark Suryas Odisha won by 8 wickets |
| Note | 2nd innings reduced to 10 overs due to rain, DLS target 75 |
| Player of the Match | Malinda Pushpakumara (5/12) |
First Innings Highlights: India Tigers
India Tigers faced early trouble when opener Adarsh Sharma departed for just 2 runs in the third over. However, Akalanka Ganegama counter-attacked magnificently from the other end.
The Sri Lankan left-hander took the Konark Suryas Odisha bowlers to the cleaners, hitting 6 fours and 6 sixes during his 39-ball stay. Despite losing Gursimran Singh early, Ganegama added a crucial 44-run partnership with Zia-ur-Rehman for the third wicket.
Middle Order Collapse Derails India Tigers
The match turned completely when Malinda Pushpakumara entered the attack. He dismissed Zia-ur-Rehman lbw at 75-3 and then removed Preet Sirohi for a golden duck on the very next ball.
The collapse continued as India Tigers lost 4 wickets for just 18 runs between overs 7 and 11. Consequently, the momentum shifted entirely towards the bowling side.
Following Ganegama’s dismissal at 88-5, the lower order struggled to rotate strike. Pushpakumara added three more scalps to finish with remarkable figures of 5/12 in 3.1 overs at an economy of 3.80.
Amaan Siddique’s Late Cameo
While wickets tumbled around him, Amaan Siddique provided some late fireworks. The lower-order batter remained unbeaten on 22 off just 13 deliveries.
His entertaining knock included 1 four and 2 sixes, striking at 169.23. Additionally, his 28-run stand with Zaheer Shaikh for the last wicket pushed the total past 130.
Without this partnership, India Tigers would have struggled to post even 110 runs. Siddique’s aggressive approach gave his team a fighting chance.
Konark Suryas Odisha Bowling Performance
Malinda Pushpakumara was undoubtedly the star performer with the ball. His 5-wicket haul completely dismantled the India Tigers batting lineup.
Jesal Karia provided excellent support from the other end, claiming 2 wickets for 27 runs in his 4 overs. Similarly, Saurin Thakar picked up 2 crucial wickets despite going at 8.80 runs per over.
Captain Jermaine Blackwood also contributed with the ball, removing danger man Adarsh Sharma early in the powerplay. The collective bowling effort restricted India Tigers to a below-par total.
First Innings Summary
| Best Batter | Best Bowler |
|---|---|
| Akalanka Ganegama: 68 (39) – 6×4, 6×6 | Malinda Pushpakumara: 5/12 (3.1 overs) |
Second Innings Highlights: Konark Suryas Odisha
Rain delayed the start of the second innings, and the match officials revised the target to 75 runs in 10 overs using the DLS method. What followed was absolute carnage from Kennar Lewis.
The Trinidadian opener attacked from ball one and never looked back. His assault on the India Tigers bowling attack was so brutal that the chase concluded in just 6.3 overs.
Kennar Lewis’s Match-Winning Blitz
Kennar Lewis played one of the most destructive innings in LLC 2026 history. His unbeaten 55 came off just 22 balls at an astonishing strike rate of 250.
The powerful left-hander smashed 6 boundaries and 4 massive sixes during his breathtaking knock. Moreover, he hit his first six off the second ball of the innings, setting the tone immediately.
Lewis added 25 runs with captain Jermaine Blackwood for the first wicket in just 13 balls. After Blackwood’s departure, he continued his onslaught with Kashyap Prajapati, adding another 40 runs in 19 balls.
India Tigers’ Desperate Attempts
India Tigers managed to pick up 2 wickets during the chase, but both dismissals came far too late to matter. Akalanka Ganegama removed Jermaine Blackwood at 25-1 in the third over.
Amaan Siddique then bowled Kashyap Prajapati at 65-2 in the sixth over. However, by then, Lewis had already brought the required runs down to single digits.
Captain Ajantha Mendis tried using six different bowlers, but none could contain Lewis. The chase was completed with 21 balls remaining, showcasing the complete dominance of Konark Suryas Odisha.
India Tigers Bowling Analysis
The India Tigers bowlers had no answers to Kennar Lewis’s assault. Gursimran Singh was the most expensive, conceding 20 runs in his solitary over.
Akalanka Ganegama showed his all-round abilities by bowling 2 overs and picking up the crucial wicket of Blackwood. Similarly, Amaan Siddique was the most economical bowler, giving away just 3 runs while claiming Prajapati’s wicket.
In total, six bowlers were used in just 6.3 overs, highlighting the desperation of the India Tigers camp. Unfortunately, nothing worked against the rampaging Lewis.
Second Innings Summary
| Best Batter | Best Bowler |
|---|---|
| Kennar Lewis: 55* (22) – 6×4, 4×6 | Amaan Siddique: 1/3 (1 over) |
