Naman Ojha’s sensational 140 off 69 was consigned to a footnote thanks to some berserk lower-order hitting and incredibly loose fielding by India Maharajas, who went down by three wickets against World Giants.

For Giants, the writing nearly seemed on the walls after they were reduced to 99/4 and then 130/6 in a 210-chase. However, they redeemed themselves after failing to defend a target of the same magnitude against the Asia Lions only 24 hours ago at the same venue.

On Saturday, they ran into a spirited Indian Maharajas who outsmarted them convincingly in each department of the game for the most part until a come-from-behind lower-order attack, headlined by Imran Tahir’s unbeaten 19-ball 52 to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

The Naman Ojha show
The Maharajas were rocked early by Ryan Sidebottom, who struck on consecutive deliveries, making Wasim Jaffer nick him behind to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin for a duck before rapping Subramanian Badrinath on the pads.

However, in a brutal batting assault that followed, none of their bowlers were spared with Ojha and captain Mohammad Kaif unleashing themselves with authority. Ojha, in particular, was unstoppable on the night, unfurling delectable strokes on either side of the wickets.

His intentions were clarified right from the onset when he picked two fours and a six off Matthew Hoggard in the opening over before taking on the leg-spin of Imran Tahir inside the powerplay. Even the slightest erring in length was rebuked by him, while his companion Kaif happily took the backseat, enjoying a batting exhibition from what was the best seat in the house.

Ojha smoked nine sixes and 15 fours in his 69-ball carnage, making full use of the life he got on 24. He brought up his half-century with a boundary behind square off Tahir off the 35th ball he faced and his century off 57 balls with four towards third man.

His rampage stopped only in the final over of the M.