Vivek Lakkoju became the first centurion of the Sport360° National School League season as the Delhi Private School Falcons soared to first place in U15 Group 2 of the Dubai NSL section.
Lakkoju scored an unbeaten 110, more than the entire Repton team, to send his side flying into the knockout stage with a 66-run win.
His fine knock came from just 70 balls and included 12 boundaries.
Lakkoju was well supported by Milind Dogre, who scored 29 off 30 balls with three fours, as DPS posted an intimidating 176-3.
Aryan Lakra added 11 off 10 balls and then starred with the ball as Repton struggled to build their total.
Lakra took 1-25 while Rishab Mukaarjee conceded just 13 runs on his way to taking a wicket.
In the chase, Chirag Sawlani, who had earlier taken a wicket, tried his best for Repton, scoring 39 off 49 deliveries, including five boundaries.
Omeir Nasser (27 not out) and Kareem Jafree (18 not out) proved difficult to shift, but they just could not make any headway as they managed 110 for three.
Lakkoju was also man of the match in a crucial week four game against the previously unbeaten DIA Wolves.
Lakkoju said: “It feels really good but it was a good all-round display. I feel really happy scoring 100 in this competition, it gives me confidence and it helped the team most of all.”
He added: “We have a really good team, batting and bowling, and we have a great chance of winning this tournament.”
Coach Prosanta Chanda echoed his player’s confidence: “I’m confident. Both the U15s and U13s are playing well so it would be nice to get a double win for the school.”
As for centurion Lakkoju, and other star man Lakra, who have both shone this season, Chanda said he has good reason to feel upbeat.
Meanwhile, in an incredibly dramatic game, Indian High School Knights beat Dubai College Sixers with the last ball of the game.
The Sixers were left to rue costly errors as they batted better than their opponents, but gave away 52 runs in extras as IHS won by five wickets.
The Sixers had posted a decent target of 134-4, with several impressive performers.
Wajih Zaman top scored with 32 off 29 balls, including three fours; Devansh Popley added 25 off 27, while Sahil Mordani was unbeaten on 31, scoring that off 30 deliveries, which included two boundaries.
Sachin Kumar took 2-30 and man of the match Gaurav Chandani proved a thorn in the Sixers’ side with 2-13.
With the last ball of the second innings, IHS claimed a thrilling win, with number five batsman Glenn Henry (22 not out) nicking a single to spark wild celebrations as the Knights qualified for the knockout stages automatically.
Henry’s last ball heroics got IHS to 135-5.
