Abu Dhabi T10 Final Highlights | Deccan Gladiators Commanding Victory Over Morrisville Samp Army | DC vs MSA

The Deccan Gladiators secured their second Abu Dhabi T10 League title in three years with an emphatic eight-wicket victory over the Morrisville Samp Army at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi. A scintillating 21-ball 56* from Tom Kohler-Cadmore and tight bowling from Player of the Match Richard Gleeson powered the Gladiators to a resounding win, wrapping up the chase in just 6.5 overs.

Morrisville Samp Army: 104/7 (10 overs; F du Plessis 34, A Gous 21; R Gleeson 2-16, M Theekshana 1-20)
Deccan Gladiators: 110/2 (6.5 overs; T Kohler-Cadmore 56*, N Pooran 28; A Hamza 1-22, I Udana 1-12)

Result: Deccan Gladiators won by 8 wickets.

Morrisville Samp Army Struggle to 104/7

After opting to bat first, Morrisville Samp Army stumbled to a modest 104/7 in their allotted 10 overs. Sharjeel Khan fell early to Maheesh Theekshana, managing only 5 runs. While Faf du Plessis tried to anchor the innings with a 23-ball 34, his efforts were overshadowed by a flurry of quick wickets.

Andries Gous provided some fireworks with a 9-ball 21, supported by Charith Asalanka's brisk 13 off 6 balls. However, the Gladiators' bowlers kept the pressure on, led by Richard Gleeson, who claimed 2 for 16, and a spectacular run-out by Anrich Nortje that sent Asalanka packing. A late cameo from Karim Janat (16 off 8) added some respectability to the score, but the Samp Army fell well short of a competitive target.

Deccan Gladiators' Bowlers Shine

The Gladiators' bowlers were relentless in their attack. Gleeson’s economical and impactful spell earned him the Player of the Match award. Nortje and Theekshana supported well, each taking a wicket at crucial moments to stem the flow of runs. Usman Tariq and Ibrar Ahmad chipped in with wickets to ensure that the Samp Army never gained momentum.

Kohler-Cadmore Leads the Chase in Style

Chasing 105, the Deccan Gladiators came out with intent, and Tom Kohler-Cadmore set the tone from the very first over. He took apart Rohan Mustafa with four consecutive boundaries, igniting the chase in electrifying fashion. Nicholas Pooran added to the onslaught, smashing 28 off just 10 balls, including three massive sixes.

The Gladiators reached the 50-mark in just 2.4 overs, putting them firmly in the driver’s seat. While Pooran and Rossouw (12 off 5) fell to Udana and Hamza, Kohler-Cadmore remained undeterred, continuing his barrage of boundaries and sixes. His 17-ball half-century was the fastest of the tournament, ensuring the Gladiators were never in trouble.

Jos Buttler, the Player of the Series, fittingly finished the match with a towering six, cementing the Gladiators’ dominance and rounding off a superb campaign.

Standout Performers

• Richard Gleeson: The bowler of the match, Gleeson’s 2/16 spell dismantled the Samp Army’s middle order and restricted them to a below-par score.
• Tom Kohler-Cadmore: His unbeaten 56 off 21 balls made him the standout batter of the final and the tournament’s leading run-scorer with 278 runs at a staggering strike rate of 198.57.
• Jos Buttler: The Player of the Series for his all-round brilliance throughout the competition, finishing the tournament with vital contributions and a strike rate over 200.

A Memorable Campaign

The Deccan Gladiators' all-round brilliance in the final showcased their dominance in this season’s Abu Dhabi T10 League. Their batting firepower, led by Kohler-Cadmore and Pooran, combined with disciplined bowling from Gleeson and Nortje, was too much for the Morrisville Samp Army.

This victory reaffirms the Gladiators' reputation as one of the premier teams in the T10 format. With another title in the bag, they continue to set the standard for excellence in the league.