Doshisha University Double Win at Champions Wicket 2021

A Day of Dominance: Doshisha University’s Triumph in the Champions Wicket Final 2021

On a warm day at the Showa Athletic Ground in Akishima, cricket enthusiasts were treated to an exhilarating spectacle as Doshisha University’s men’s and women’s teams asserted their dominance in the Champions Wicket Final 2021.

With both squads displaying exceptional skill and determination, it became a day of double celebration for the university. As the crowd gathered in anticipation, Doshisha University showcased their cricketing prowess, culminating in unforgettable moments of glory for both the men’s and women’s teams, reaffirming their position as the champions of university-level cricket in Japan.

Match Report: Champions Wicket Final 2021 – Waseda University Women vs. Doshisha University Women

The morning of September 19, 2021, witnessed a captivating showdown in the Champions Wicket Final 2021, featuring the women’s teams of Waseda University and Doshisha University. It was a fiercely contested battle, with Doshisha University Women ultimately emerging victorious after a determined display of cricket.

Waseda University Women Innings:

Doshisha University Women won the toss and chose to bowl first. Waseda University Women’s batting innings got off to a steady start with Noa Shindo and Ia Sakashita at the crease. They showed patience in the face of disciplined bowling but found it challenging to accelerate the scoring.

Noa Shindo contributed 9 runs off 37 deliveries, while Ia Sakashita added 15 runs off 32 balls, with the partnership reaching 23 runs. Nayu Matsumura tried to stabilize the innings with 12 runs, but consistent pressure from Doshisha’s bowlers kept the scoring rate in check.

Chiharu Sato, the captain, played a brief cameo with 5 runs off 10 balls, but the team continued to struggle. Meg Ogawa, however, showcased resilience, remaining unbeaten on 8 runs off 11 balls. Waseda University Women concluded their innings at 80/7 after 20 overs, with extras contributing significantly.

Bowling Highlights:

Doshisha’s bowlers maintained a tight grip on the game. Izumi Nishimura took a crucial wicket, conceding 15 runs in her 3-over spell. Runo Sunakawa and Kasumi Nanno also chipped in with a couple of wickets between them. The fielding effort from Doshisha was commendable, leading to key run-outs.

Doshisha University Women Innings:

Chasing a target of 81 runs, Doshisha University Women started cautiously. Rin Yamazaki played a composed innings, scoring 18 runs off 38 balls, anchoring the early part of the chase. Iori Miyamoto supported with 8 runs off 45 balls.

However, the standout performer for Doshisha was Mao Takatsuka, who remained unbeaten on 10 runs off just 9 balls, including a crucial boundary. Her composure under pressure played a significant role in guiding Doshisha to victory.

With a flurry of extras contributed by Waseda’s bowlers, Doshisha reached the target of 81 runs with just over five overs to spare and secured the title of Champions Wicket Final 2021 for the women’s division.

Bowling Highlights:

Meg Ogawa bowled economically, conceding 20 runs in her 5-over spell without taking a wicket. Sayaka Saito was the lone wicket-taker for Waseda, accounting for one dismissal.

In the end, it was Doshisha University Women’s all-round performance, marked by their disciplined bowling and calm batting, that secured their victory in this thrilling final. They were crowned the champions of the 2021 Champions Wicket Final for women, capping off a memorable cricketing encounter at the Showa Athletic Ground in Akishima.

Player of the Match: Mao Takatsuka, for her valuable all-round contribution with the ball and her unbeaten innings that guided Doshisha University Women to victory.

Match Report: Champions Wicket Final 2021 – Waseda University Men vs. Doshisha University Men

In a thrilling encounter at the Showa Athletic Ground in Akishima, the Champions Wicket Final of 2021 featured a gripping battle between Waseda University Men and Doshisha University Men. It was a contest filled with ups and downs, but in the end, Doshisha University Men emerged as the champions, edging out Waseda University Men by a narrow margin of one wicket.

Waseda University Men Innings:

Waseda University Men won the toss and elected to bat first in this high-stakes final. However, their innings didn’t get off to the ideal start as they lost their top-order batsmen early. Hiroo Fujisawa, Binod Pokhrel, and Takumi Kishi departed cheaply, putting immense pressure on the team.

Yusuke Wakuta provided some fireworks in the middle order, smashing a quickfire 16 off just 6 balls, including a boundary and a six. However, the rest of the batting order struggled to cope with the disciplined bowling of Doshisha University Men. Souta Hashimoto fought valiantly, scoring 13 runs off 49 deliveries, but the run rate remained a concern for Waseda University Men.

The lower-order batsmen, including Tomonoshin Oki and Koki Matsui, tried to accelerate the scoring, but the Doshisha bowlers, led by Wataru Uebayashi and Yukihiro Matsushita, continued to apply pressure. The innings finally came to an end at 82 runs in 19.1 overs, with Noboru Asanaka remaining unbeaten at the crease.

Bowling Highlights:

Wataru Uebayashi was the standout bowler for Doshisha University Men, claiming three crucial wickets for 16 runs in his 3.1 overs. Ryuichi Ashida also played a vital role, picking up a wicket while conceding only 7 runs in his 4-over spell. Yukihiro Matsushita and Yuji Yamamoto chipped in with two wickets each.

Doshisha University Men Innings:

Chasing a target of 83 runs to win, Doshisha University Men got off to a shaky start as they lost their first three wickets for just 30 runs. Hiroo Fujisawa was the chief architect of Waseda’s early dominance, taking three crucial wickets for 32 runs in his 4-over spell.

However, the tide turned when Ryuichi Ashida, the Player of the Match, stepped up for Doshisha. Ashida played a vital innings, anchoring the innings with 15 runs off 31 balls. He was supported by Ken Sakaguchi, who remained unbeaten on 20 runs off 22 deliveries.

With the pressure mounting and the required run rate increasing, Doshisha University Men managed to hold their nerve and reach the target of 83 runs with just three balls to spare. It was a thrilling finish to the match, and Doshisha University Men were crowned champions of the Champions Wicket Final 2021.

Bowling Highlights:

Apart from Hiroo Fujisawa’s exceptional performance, Noboru Asanaka also played a crucial role in the bowling department, picking up four wickets for just 8 runs in his 4-over spell. Tomonoshin Oki contributed with a key wicket, but it wasn’t enough to secure a victory for Waseda University Men.

In a day that belonged to Doshisha University, one player stood out as the beacon of excellence – Ryuichi Ashida. Ashida’s outstanding performance with the ball was instrumental in his team’s victory in the Champions Wicket Final 2021. Bowling with precision and finesse, he delivered a masterful spell, claiming crucial wickets while conceding just seven runs in four overs. His ability to maintain control and apply pressure on the opposition played a pivotal role in shaping the outcome of the match.

In the end, it was Doshisha University Men’s resilient batting and the brilliance of Ryuichi Ashida that sealed their victory in this thrilling final, and they were deservedly crowned the champions of the 2021 Champions Wicket Final.

Ashida’s exceptional skills and match-winning contributions made him the undisputed “Player of the Match,” earning him well-deserved recognition for his outstanding efforts in ensuring Doshisha University Men’s triumph.