Keshkamath, Atharva shine as New Hind emerge Champions of 1st LNCC U19 Tournament’21

Mumbai: All-rounder Om Keshkamath’s solid knock of 93 runs and Atharva Bhosale’s splendid bowling effort of 4 for 27 runs inspired New Hind Cricket Club to snatch a nail-biting 8-run victory against John Bright Cricket Club in a tense and thrilling final of the Lord Northbrook CC orgainsed 1^st LNCC Omni Global Trophy Invitation Under-19 (45 overs) Cricket Tournament 2021, conducted under the auspices of the Mumbai Cricket Association and played at the Wankhede Stadium, Churchgate on Wednesday.

New Hind CC who were sent in to bat first managed to reach a modest total of 226 for the loss of nine wickets from their stipulated 45 overs. Later, New Hind who did not get much runs on the scoreboard bowled well and managed to restrict John Bright to 218 all out in 43.4 overs.

The New Hind innings started shakily but picked up momentum after number five bat Om Keshkamath came to the crease. He batted with authority and his runs came from 88 balls and included seven cracking shots to the boundary ropes and five powerful strokes over the fence. Om Keshkamath along with number three batsman Sahil Jadhav 35 (53balls, 4×4) were associated in an 86-run partnership for the fourth wicket which lifted the New Hind innings. Divyanshu Singh (2 for 45) and Atharva Dakwe (2 for 39) were the most successful John Bright bowlers.

Defending a low score New Hind bowlers were a disciplined lot and did not panic even as John Bright batsmen started positively. John Bright opener Akshat Jain smashed a 40-ball half-century 52 runs (9×4, 1×6) and in the company of number three bat Tejas Chavan who scored 45 runs (89 balls, 6×4) they stitched together 70 runs for the second wicket. Later, Tejas and Jai Jain 34 runs added a further 49 runs to enhance their chase and keep their hopes alive. But, thereafter, John Bright batsmen came under tremendous pressure and started to lose wickets at regular intervals and lost the fight.

New Hind’s all-rounder Om Keshkamath bagged both the ‘Man of the Match’ and ‘Man of the Series’ awards. From four matches, he scored a total of 254 runs which included two centuries and picked up six wickets.

Brief scores – final: New Hind Cricket Club : 226 for 9 wickets, 45 overs (Om Keshkamath 93 (88b, 7×4, 5×6), Sahil Jadhav 35 (53b 4×4); (86-run 4^th wkt); Divyanshu Singh 2 for 45, Atharva Dakwe 2 for 39) beat 218 all out, 43.4 overs (Akshat Jain 52 (40b, 9×4, 1×6), Tejas Chavan 45 (89b, 6×4), Jai Jain 34, Dashrath Chavan 31; Atharva Bhosale 4 for 27, Ayush Zimre 2 for 39). Result: New Hind CC won by 8 runs.

Man of the Match: Om Keshkamath (New Hind CC).

Man of the Series: Om Keshkamath (New Hind CC).

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