Revelstoke Cricket Club made a strong comeback against their Â鶹AV opponents last Sunday, taking home their third victory of the Interior Social Tournament thanks to one player's high performance.
Welcoming the Â鶹AV Smashers to Centennial Park on June 29, who initially beat Revelstoke by six wickets on their own turf in April, the hosts turned the tables to win the day by one wicket.
It was Revelstoke's Gaurav Joshi notching the highest individual score for the club so far this season that became a cause for celebration.
"It was a big target to chase — especially when the opponent team have a good bowling unit," Joshi said.
The Smashers' Prince Tatla, Harmohan Bajwa and Harpreet Badesha were a force to be reckoned with, preventing Revelstoke from scoring many runs from the 12th to 19th overs.
Joshi said that Revelstoke losing wickets early on created a "daunting situation," but that his continued scoring of runs at bat simply kept the team's momentum going. Starting from the 20th over with 10 runs, he and one teammate really took off.
"Partnership with Navdeep Samra was the turning point of the game," Joshi said. "From there, we realized we can definitely chase the target."
Revelstoke recorded a game-high 14 runs in the 34th over, capping off a powerful comeback as it bowled the visiting opponents out at 165 in under 36 overs.
Joshi earned player of the match and finished with 84 runs and 96 bowls, followed by Â鶹AV's Robby Sandhu at 46 and 45, then Revelstoke's Samra at 24 and 35.
The Smashers' Lovepreet Sandhu was crowned best bowler, who bowled three Revelstoke players out in the 35 over, while Joshi additionally scored best batter.
Persevering and putting on quite the sweat amid the scorching heat, "it was all worth it in the end with a victorious win," Joshi remarked.
"I am extremely happy with my contribution and team performance, and I want to dedicate this performance to all my teammates who always believe in me. Without them, it was not possible."
Revelstoke next hosts the Okanagan Hawks Cricket Club at 10 a.m. this coming Sunday, July 6, at Centennial Park.
