“SPACE-CSS Alleppey Ripples with the power and pride
of Devas Chundan for KPL Dubai Season 2”
In the presence of CSS, KPL, Dubai Cricket Council, and Media dignitaries, Season 2 of SPACE-CSS Alleppey Ripples and its coaching staff were officially launched and inaugurated at Tharavad Restaurant- (Tharavad by its meaning is known as “HOME”) at the Fortune Plaza Hotel-Dubai. Speaking at the team launch, Chairman and Owner of SPACE-CSS Alleppey Ripples, TS Kaladharan commented on the sponsorship and Season 2 of SPACE-CSS Alleppey Ripples, “We are enthusiastic for Season 2 of KPL Dubai and we are privileged to have such wonderful sponsors and support not only from the corporate industries but from our fan base as well. We welcome everyone to come out and support the team during their matches.”
This year, the team is co-sponsored by SPACE International Group and CSS Group. Representing SPACE International Group, Mr. Ajit, Regional Director commented on Season 2, “I am honoured to be partnered with SPACE-CSS Alleppey Ripples for Season 2 of the Kerala Premier League and am excited about the upcoming season. The team looks even stronger in Season 2 and I am sure they will be extremely competitive in all of their matches.”
SPACE-CSS Alleppey Ripples support sponsors are Almarai who provided food sampling stations and refreshments of their first class products to SPACE-CSS Alleppey Ripples players and supporters for all of their matches during season
Paaroo’s Fashions and Kala Fashions who sponsored team uniforms of the highest quality and fabrics which included branded t-shirts, hats and jackets.
The official caterer for SPACE-CSS Alleppey Ripples Season 2 was Tharavad Restaurant serving a unique combination of spices from the kitchen of Indian, Chinese and Continental flavors within the best Traditional Kerala.
The format of each team consists of a minimum of 3 players from Kerala in a playing XI and the remaining from local talents, with one player under the age of 22 and a maximum of 2 overseas players. The combination of players in each team and overseas players are decided by the team owners.
For season 2, the team included Sri Lankan International renowned All Rounder Dilhara Loukuhettige, UAE National Cricket team All Rounder Fayyaz Ahmed, UAE National Cricket team Wicket-Keeper Shakoor Ahmed and the UAE National Cricket team Under 19 Captain Chirag Suri.
In the first match of the KPL Dubai Season 2 cricket tournament, SPACE-CSS Alleppey Ripples were surprisingly defeated by Concord Ventures Palakkad Harvestors.
In the second match, SPACE-CSS Alleppey Ripples beat Calicut Zamrins Supported by du by 6 wickets and the Man of the Match was Abdul Shakoor for his impressive 48 runs from 29 balls while posting 8 x 4’s and 1 x 6.
After losing the first game of the tournament and winning the second game, SPACE- CSS Alleppey Ripples continued their impressive winning streak by posting a 6 wicket victory over Thumbay Kasargod Leopards. The man of the match was once again Shakoor culminating a remarkable display of cricket with 82 runs from 44 balls, 14 x 4’s and 1 x 6.
In their fourth match, SPACE-CSS Alleppey Ripples won by posting an astounding score of 193 for 4 in 20 overs against Phoenix Medicine Kollam Kernals. Man of the match honours were shared by the winning side teammates, Fayyaz Ahmed & Baber Malik.
With a record of 3 wins and 1 loss, SPACE-CSS Alleppey needed a victory in their final game by a strong run rate and they did just that by defeating Dunes Cusine-Kannur Veerans with an extraordinary score of 206 for 7 in 20 overs. Man of the Match honours went Haji Irfan who recorded 86 runs from 37 balls with 5 x 4’s and 5 x 6’s. With this victory there was a tie for 2nd place in Group A with SPACE-CSS Alleppey Ripples coming out on top with a stronger Net RR of 0.801 advancing them the Semi Finals of KPL Dubai Season 2 to be played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
All matches proved to be exhilarating whereby the batting and fielding of SPACE-CSS Alleppey Ripples showcased by the entire team were unstoppable.
In one of the most high-profile match of the tournament, the semi final between SPACE-CSS Alleppey Ripples and Thrissur Dynamites Yogi Groupp- the only undefeated team in the tournament.
Despite unpredictable weather conditions leading up to the game and during the course of the game SPACE-CSS Alleppey Ripples team fought hard to maintain their fielding and bowling as Thrissur Dynamites Yogi Group posted 142 for 7 in 20 overs from an extremely well balanced bowling attack from SPACE-CSS. Kamran and Fayyaz Ahmed both led the charge with 2 and 3 wickets respectively.
During the batting from SPACE-CSS Alleppey Ripples the game went into the early hours of the morning due to a rain delay, a nail biting match that had onlookers on the edge of their seats.
The SPACE-CSS Alleppey Ripples team fought hard to maintain their runs during the course of the match; however due to some extremely good bowling and fielding from the Thrissur Dynamites Yogi Group, SPACE-CSS Alleppey Ripples succumbed to defeat, by 4 runs short of a victory.
With the tournament now concluded we would like to congratulate the entire SPACE-CSS Alleppey Ripples Team, Coaching Staff, CSS Senior Management, sponsors and all of the CSS Group staff and their families who came out to support the team during this tournament.
Your support and positive attitudes is highly appreciated and we look forward to another season of SPACE-CSS Alleppey Ripples-KPL cricket.
On behalf of the Chairman and Senior Management of CSS Group and SPACE-CSS Alleppey Ripples, we would like to take this opportunity and thank the Management team of KPL Dubai and the Dubai Cricket Council for a well-organized cricket ournament/festivities. The dedication of your team and everyone involved is highly appreciated and brings value added attention to the game of cricket not only in the GCC, but worldwide.
SPACE-CSS Alleppey Ripples are excited for the coming seasons of the Kerala Premier League and our investment in the team shows the continuous support towards the sporting fraternity of the United Arab Emirates offering first class facilities for all sporting events.