So, that is it from myself, Karthik Raj andmy co-commentator, Dev as we wrap up the coverage of this fixture. A word of thanks to our scorer, Yogesh Kumar as well. Do stay tuned to our network and join us for a lot more cricketing action on Saturday.
Nicholas Pooran (Deccan Gladiators Captain):"It is unfortunate that we couldn't make it. Credit to the guys for being pumped up for this game and giving their best. Not satisfied. This isn't an easy format. This year hasn't gone the way we wanted. To get to play with people around the world, it is something to cherish."
David Wiese (Player of the Match): "To be honest, it’s just experience and mindset. In situations like this, you can’t afford to get tight or overthink it. So for me, it’s about staying calm, backing my skills, and enjoying the pressure instead of fearing it.
Before we went out today, the chat in the dressing room was pretty simple - we knew we’d put ourselves in a tough position and had to win multiple games. So the message was - enjoy the challenge, stay clear in the mind, and give it a proper crack.
The odds were always against us for qualification, so the attitude was more like, why not? You never know what can happen in T10 - one good day can flip everything. We tried to play with that freedom and belief.
I’ve played quite a few seasons of T10 now, and yeah, unfortunately, this is the last one for me this year. But I absolutely enjoy this format and this tournament. It’s fast, intense, and something everyone looks forward to. If things go well and the body holds up, I’d definitely love to be back next season."
Player of the Match: David Wiese
Powerhitter of the Match: Nicholas Pooran
Catch of the Match: Aayan Afzal Khan
Game changer of the Match: Richard Gleeson
Time for the Post-Match Presentations...
23:29 PM IST, 21:59 PM Local Time: We are at the end of the League Stage of this 2025 Abu Dhabi T10 season and both the Deccan Gladiators and Vista Riders have been knocked out. The Gladiators did manage to win the game by 20 runs but they had to restrict the Riders to just 65 or lesser in order to qualify.
Defending 135, the Gladiators started on a good note as Luke Wood castled Unmukt Chand for a two-ball duck. Faf du Plessis didn't last for long as he was undone by a beauty from Richard Gleeson in the second over. After a couple of good overs, the Riders seemed to be getting some momentum when Andre Russell got Sean Dickson out off his very first ball. However, Russell over-stepped to offer a reprieve to the Englishman. Dickson couldn't make great use of it though as he holed out to long-on later on in the same over.
The next couple of overs were really productive for the Riders as the pair of Ben McDermott and Dwaine Pretorius took a combined 36 runs off Noor Ahmad and Akeal Hosein. The Riders were well in contention with 46 needed off 18 balls. Jordan Thompson came onto bowl and he delivered three superb deliveries before going off the field with an injury. Jawadullah was forced to complete the over but the Riders couldn't take massive advantage of it. Then, Gleeson conceded only 11 runs while also managing to get rid of Pretorius on the final ball of the penultimate over. Needing 24 off the final six balls, it proved to be a task too heavy as Russell conceded only four runs ensuring a consolatory victory for the Gladiators. With this result, Quetta Qavalry, Aspin Stallions, Ajman Titans and the UAE Bulls make it to the Play-offs.
Earlier on in the match, the Gladiators got off to a rapid start even as Tom Kohler-Cadmore fell early off Andrew Tye's bowling. Nicholas Pooran and Andre Russell ensured that their team took 34 runs off the mandatory Powerplay. After some more fireworks, Tye got the better of both Russell and Marcus Stoinis in the space of three balls in the fourth over.
A few overs later, Pooran fell for 39 as he slapped a short delivery down the ground off Dhananjaya Lakshan with Sharafuddin Ashraf taking a comfortable catch. Lakhan also managed to dismiss Jordan Thompson as the Vista Riders made a small comeback. Their hopes were damaged though as David Wiese went berserk and gave the Gladiators a strong finish. Matthew Forde also didn't help himself as his 11-ball final over which went for 22 runs helped the Gladiators to get to 134/6!