Kaustub Pawar Best Batsman & Vaibhav Mali Best Bowler of Times Shield A division
The recently concluded Times Shield saw some amazing cricket being played over the last few days and it was aptly wrapped up by acknowledging the efforts of the players. Considered to be one of the Asia’s oldest and largest corporate tournaments, the closing ceremony of Time Shield was graced by the presence of former India stumper Kiran More, who gave away the prizes for the best batsman and best bowler. Times Shield is played across three divisions, namely, A, B and C. The best batsman and the best bowler from each of the divisions were announced during the closing ceremony of the tournament.
In ‘A’ division, Kaustubh Pawar from Tata SC won the best batsman award for scoring as many as 392 runs in just 3 matches with a scintillating average of 130.67. He amassed one century and a couple of half centuries during his term of play. Vaibhav Mali from Air India SC was adjudged the best bowler for picking up 18 wickets and giving away 387 runs in 109.3 overs in four matches. As is evident from his figures, Mali was extremely conservative in giving away runs as he conceded just over 3.5 runs per over.
In ‘B’ division, scoring a mammoth 502 runs in five matches with a healthy average of 100.4, Sachin Katariya from Space SC bagged the best batsman award. Sachin scored a couple of centuries during the tournament. Yogesh Dicholkar of MBPT SC scalped 29 wickets conceding just 351 runs in 125 overs in three matches. Dicholkar was extremely economical as he gave away just 2.8 runs per over.
In ‘C’ division, the best batsman prize was conferred upon Harshd Khadiwale from Mafatlal SC who scored 329 runs in five matches that included one century and three half centuries. Khadiwale had an average of 65.8 and played a pivotal role to help his team win the ‘C’ division Times Shield tournament. Brijesh Gharat was the wrecker-in-chief for Tata Steel (Wire Division) SC as he picked up 22 wickets in 84 overs conceding 276 runs in five matches. Gharat was effective with the ball as he gave away just 3.29 runs per over.