Arnav Gupta picks 10 as Matunga Center Takes 1st Innings Lead

In an enthralling encounter between Palghar Center and Matunga Center at the U16 Kalpesh Koli tournament, the match ended in a draw with Matunga Center claiming the first-innings lead. Both teams displayed exceptional cricketing skills and fought tooth and nail throughout the game.

Palghar Center won the toss and elected to bat first, looking to set a strong foundation for their innings. However, their batsmen struggled to find their footing against the formidable bowling attack of Matunga Center. Palghar Center lost wickets at regular intervals and were bundled out for a mere 85 runs in 32.4 overs. Arnav Gupta was the chief destroyer for Matunga Center, wreaking havoc with his impressive figures of 6/20.

In response, Matunga Center came out with a dominant batting performance in their first innings. Opener Abhinab Saha led the charge with a brilliant century, scoring 117 runs. He received valuable support from Om Kamble (62) and Ashmith Kashyap (52*), who both registered half-centuries. Matunga Center declared their innings at 347/8 in 67.3 overs, gaining a substantial lead over Palghar Center. Anshul Tare was the pick of the bowlers for Palghar Center, claiming 5 wickets for 85 runs.

With a deficit of 262 runs, Palghar Center faced an uphill task in their second innings. However, they showcased great resilience and determination in their pursuit of a draw. Daivik Save was the standout performer with the bat, playing a magnificent knock of 76 runs. He received support from Pratham Meher, who contributed a valuable 33 runs. Arnav Gupta continued to trouble the Palghar Center batsmen, taking 4 wickets for 33 runs. Despite their efforts, Palghar Center managed to reach a total of 193/8 in 70.5 overs before the match concluded.

The match ended in a draw, with Matunga Center claiming the first-innings lead. It was a closely fought battle, with both teams showcasing their skills and determination on the field. Abhinab Saha’s century and Arnav Gupta’s brilliant bowling performance were the highlights of the match. The U16 Kalpesh Koli tournament witnessed an exciting contest, leaving the spectators eagerly awaiting the next clash between these talented teams.