Victory Cricket Club’s Mahek Pokar smashed the first century of the fifth edition of Late Arjun Madhvi Women’s Trophy as she plundered 112 runs off 101 balls against Sports Field Cricket Club on Friday in Thane to help her team register a humongous win of 202 runs.
Pokar’s power-packed innings that was laced with 20 fours steered Victory Cricket Club to a formidable score of 293/4 in 40 overs. Alongside this right-handed opening batter, her partner, Alina Mulla (61) stitched 184-run partnership to set the tone of the match. While the opening pair of Victory Cricket Club went hammer and tongs, the bowlers of Sports Field Cricket Club had no answers to stop the run flow. The only silver lining in the dark bowling cloud of Sports Field Cricket Club was Aakruti Bhoir, who, albeit bleeding 59 runs in her eight over spell, scalped two wickets.
Chasing a mammoth 294 for a win, Sports Field Cricket Club’s batting collapsed like a pack of cards. They were bowled out for a paltry 91 in 30.1 overs. Apart from Priyanka Rathod (31) and Palak Dharamshi (29) none of the batters looked in shape. For Victory Cricket Club, Aleena Khan stood out with the ball as she snapped three wickets conceding just 27 runs in her eight overs, including one maiden.
Having suffered a crushing defeat, Sports Field Cricket Club have made their way out of the tournament. Victory Cricket Club, on the other hand, have advanced to the next stage.
Brief Scores: Victory Cricket Club 293/4 in 40 overs (M Pokar 112; A Bhoir 2/59) beat Sports Field Cricket Club 91 all out in 30.1 overs (P Rathod 31; A Khan 3/27) by 202 runs
This Article is written by Juili Balal
Regal Cricket Club defeated Sporting Union Club by six wickets on Tuesday in the second match of the fifth edition of the Late Arjun Madhvi Women’s Trophy.
Chasing a modest total of 154 for a win, Regal Cricket Club overhauled the target in just 26.4 overs at the loss of four wickets. Chetana Bisht (36) led the run chase from the front and found able allies in Jetsun Chi (35 not out), Akanksha Mishra (32) Harshal Jadhav (27). While Manasi Chavan (2/30) stood out with the ball for her team picking up two wickets, that wasn’t enough to stop the free-flowing batters of Regal Cricket Club.
Early in the day, winning the toss and electing to bat first, Sporting Union Club scored 153/9 in 39 overs. Chavan top scored with 24. Deepali Shelar (14 not out) was only the other major contributor with the bat. Sporting Union Club found it difficult to score against the bowlers of Regal Cricket Club as they bowled probing lines and lengths to pick wickets at regular intervals. Bisht, Vaishnavi Iyengar, Komal Jadhav, Gauri Kadam, and Priyadarshani Singh scalped one wicket apiece.
With this loss, it is curtains for Sporting Union Club in this tournament. On the other hand, Regal Cricket Club have qualified for the next level.
Brief Scores: Sporting Union Club 153/9 in 39 overs (M Chavan 24; C Bisht 1/9) lost to Regal Cricket Club 154/4 in 26.4 overs (C Bisht 36; M Chavan 2/30) by 6 wickets
This article is written by Juili Ballal.
Cricketgraph’s interview with “Mr.Fitness” aka Amogh Pandit was quite informative.
Amogh is hailed as one of the top Strength & Conditioning Coaches in India. He is serving as Strength and Conditioning Coach with Mumbai Ranji Team for the last 17 years.
Amogh has also served as Strength and conditioning coach for Rajasthan Royals (Indian premier league). He has also been a conditioning specialist with India A team. Amogh is a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist with top level certifications like CSCS the NSCA, USA.
When you talk about cricket in Mumbai, there are two types of batsman. The first breed is the group of current senior players of Mumbai who have growned up watching as well as playing Red Ball Cricket. The ones who are known for their traditional cricketing shots, classy batting and old school technique. The 2nd breed is thriving of energetic youngsters who will soon be the future of Mumbai as well as Indian Cricket.
The 2nd breed of youngsters are completely different personalities with them putting more emphasis on white ball cricket and its not their fault either as T20’s are played more than Tests and ODI’s in today’s era. They prefer to play faster, they have the whackiest of shots and for them playing fast is not just a necessity but it’s their natural game.
And when we talk about Jay Bista, he is the fortunate hybrid Cricketer with the best of both the worlds. Born on 23rd December 1995 , at the age of 23, Jay is right there at the middle of two generations where he gets to see two different worlds of cricket. With experienced team mates like Suryakumar Yadav, Siddhesh Lad, Aditya Tare, Shreyas Iyer & Dhawal Kulkarni, Jay gets to witness proper classical red ball cricket whenever he gets a chance to represent the Mumbai team in the longer format of the game. Jay gets to see the sanctity of test cricket, the nitty-gritties of patience, solid technique, classical shots from the 1st breed of his senior mates while he has his own game of wizardy with the bat & athletic fielding abilities making him a perfect recipe for a modern day t20 player.
With the advent of T20 Cricket rising, new shots being innovated every day and playing fast & furious being the latest trend, Jay is well versed with that world of cricket too with aggressive brand of batting being his natural game.
In a candid interview with Cricketgraph, we throwed upon a lot of questions at him which he gracefully answered:
When we asked him how it all started, Jay said “From the age of 2, i was in to this game as my mom had told me from that age itself I was crazy for the game. I started practicing from the age of 8 but when I was 12, that’s when I started thinking about it professionally”
Born & brought up in Mumbai, the 23yr old studied at Bhadra New High School and later went to the famed Shardashram Vidyamandir School which has given Mumbai some of the finest first class & national level cricketers. Jay finished his further studies from Ramniranjan Jhunjhunwala College while he is getting trained under coaching of Vinod Raghavan Sir.
Jay has represented Mumbai team at U14, U16, U19, U23 as well as the senior team while he plays club cricket representing Victory CC in Mumbai. When we asked him to share some of his most memorable performances, Jay shared with us- “Getting 136 something last year in my comeback game against Saurashtra, a double hundred in the finals of U23 One Day Tournament, a 4th innings ton of 126 runs while chasing vs Baroda and my recent hundred in T20 mumbai (where he scored 110 off mere 60 balls for Sobo Supersonics) are some of my memorable performances so far.
Known for his eccentric and innovative shots including his famous version of “Bista Scoop”, Jay feels thankful to his parents and Coach Vinod Raghavan Sir for whatever he has achieved so far. When we asked him his long term goals, Jay smartly answered” –“I believe in living in the present, I don’t have a long term plan, I just want to win games for whichever teams I play for and keep performing consistently”
Team Cricketgraph wishes him all the luck for a great career ahead as he keeps entertaining one and all with his risqué shots and stylish batting.
Yash Thakur, a young cricketer from Elphinstone, Mumbai, has achieved his dream of representing the Arunachal Pradesh state cricket team. His journey is one of perseverance, dedication, and unwavering support from his family and coach Nilesh Raut.
Yash began playing cricket 10 years ago, at the age of 14, and soon approached Nilesh Raut, who coaches at Shivaji Park. Recognizing Yash’s immense cricketing talent, Nilesh Raut decided to coach him free of cost, as Yash came from a lower-middle-class family that sold vada pav on the streets of Mumbai to make ends meet.
Yash’s talent started to shine during a tour to Tarapur, Palghar, where he won the Best Batsman Award. This performance solidified Raut’s belief in Yash’s potential. Nilesh Sir then took him on another tour to Goa, where Yash represented Stamina Sports Club and helped his team win the finals. From that moment, Yash’s cricketing journey began to gain momentum.
However, his path was not without hurdles. Just 15 days before the Arunachal Pradesh trials, Yash suffered a serious injury while practicing and had to undergo knee surgery that required 24 stitches. Doctors advised him to rest for six months, but Yash, fueled by his determination, decided to push forward. Despite the odds, he appeared for the Arunachal trials, with Nilesh Raut supporting him throughout the process.
During the trials, Yash’s resilience shone brightly. Even during the Yo-Yo test, when his knee started bleeding, he persevered and earned his place in the Arunachal state team. Yash has already played in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and was shortlisted for the Ranji Trophy 2023 probables. He will also represent Arunachal Pradesh in the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Throughout this remarkable journey, Yash’s uncle also played a crucial role, offering constant support and encouragement to help him pursue his dreams.
With the unwavering support of his family and coach Nilesh Raut, Yash Thakur’s dedication is bound to take him closer to his ultimate dream of playing cricket for Team India. His story serves as an inspiration for countless young cricketers aspiring to overcome challenges and make a mark in the sport.
Tyger Sports, owned by ex-Mumbai cricketer Yogesh Kaudaare, has taken a major step to support grassroots cricket by making high-quality cricket equipment accessible to young players. The company, known for its expertise in developing sports clients nationally and internationally, announced a flat 50% discount on cricket gear during the MCA Cricket Fair. This initiative aimed to help players who cannot afford expensive equipment, ensuring they have the tools to practice and perform better.
The response to the offer was overwhelming. Tyger Sports completely sold out its stock, showcasing the demand and need for affordable cricket gear among aspiring players. The flat 50% discount was also extended to online purchases via their official website, www.tygersportsworld.com, using the coupon code MCA50. The offer remains valid until December 31, 2024, giving more players a chance to benefit.
Tyger Sports has positioned itself as a one-stop solution for all sporting needs, specializing in manufacturing sports equipment and apparel, organizing domestic and international tours, conducting school coaching programs, setting up sports complexes, and managing events, leagues, corporate partnerships, and player contracts.
In addition to supporting players, Tyger Sports also took an initiative to help groundsmen, often the unsung heroes of cricket. A cricket bat worth Rs 25,000 was auctioned during the MCA Cricket Fair, with the entire amount donated to groundsmen. Kiran Shetty, who purchased the bat, contributed to this meaningful cause.
With its commitment to the growth of cricket and dedication to supporting all levels of the game, Tyger Sports continues to set a benchmark in the sports industry. Players and enthusiasts can visit their website to take advantage of the ongoing offer and be part of their mission to uplift cricket.
Siddhi Pawar and Shweta Kalpathi star in Dilip Vengsarkar Sports Foundation’s scintillating eight-wicket win over Payyade Sports Club in the semi-final of the fifth edition of Late Arjun Madhvi Women’s Trophy on Friday in Thane. Dilip Vengsarkar Sports Foundation will meet MIG Cricket Club in the final on Saturday.
Bowling out Payyade Sports Club cheaply for 101 in 26.5 overs, Dilip Vengsarkar Sports Foundation completed the formalities in 19.2 overs at the loss of two wickets. Kalpathi led the run chase from the front with an unbeaten 52. Early in the day, Siddhi Pawar decimated Payyade Sports Club’s batting as she picked up four wickets giving away almost nothing in her incisive spell.
Payyade Sports Club, which had a good outing in the tournament so far, looked listless against a strong Dilip Vengsarkar Sports Foundation team. Apart from Jeeya Mandrawadkar (30) none of the batters looked in shape. With the ball too they failed to put a strong fight. Abhilasha Awatrama and Kritika Yadav scalped one wicket apiece but that was never going to be enough.
Brief Scores: Payyade Sports Club 101 all out in 26.5 overs (J Mandrawadkar 30; S Pawar 4/15) lost to Dilip Vengsarkar Sports Foundation 102/2 in 19.2 overs (S Kalpathi 52 not out; K Yadav 1/16) by 8 wickets
The APTI Marex Box Cricket League is back for its third edition, set to take place on December 14th and 15th, 2024, at the prestigious Celebration Sports Club in Mumbai. This highly anticipated event has become a cornerstone for the maritime industry, reflecting its core values of healthy competition, teamwork, and collaboration.
A Growing Success Story
Since its inception, the APTI Marex Box Cricket League has witnessed tremendous growth and enthusiasm. In its inaugural year, the tournament featured 22 teams, which grew to 28 in the second year. This year, the league has expanded to include an impressive 38 teams, showcasing its increasing popularity and the maritime community’s strong commitment to this sporting event.
The league not only highlights the competitive spirit of maritime professionals but also strengthens bonds within the industry. It provides a unique platform for participants to connect beyond their professional roles, fostering a sense of unity and camaraderie.
Excitement at the Draw Ceremony
On December 11th, 2024, a lively draw ceremony was held at Celebration Sports Club, Mumbai, to determine the matchups for the tournament. The event was marked by great enthusiasm and excitement, with dignitaries from the maritime industry, team captains, and players in attendance. The ceremony set the tone for the tournament, building anticipation among participants and supporters alike.
Promoting Teamwork and Sportsmanship
The APTI Marex Box Cricket League is more than just a competition; it embodies the values of teamwork, sportsmanship, and collaboration. By bringing together professionals from across the maritime industry, the tournament creates an environment where participants can celebrate their shared passion for cricket while building stronger professional relationships.
As the matches approach, the maritime community eagerly awaits the action-packed weekend. With its growing scale and enduring spirit, the APTI Marex Box Cricket League continues to inspire and unite maritime professionals, reinforcing the importance of sportsmanship and teamwork in all aspects of life.
Centurion Mithali Mhatre powered MIG Cricket Club to the final of fifth edition of Late Arjun Madhvi Women’s Trophy on Thursday in Thane. Making their debut in this tournament, MIG Cricket Club beat defending champions Rajawadi Cricket Club by 70 runs.
Batting first, MIG Cricket Club posted a respectable score of 239/4 in 40 overs. Mhatre hammered an unbeaten 108 off 106 balls, peppering the boundary rope a dozen times. Gargee Warang (47) and Vaibhavi Raja (40) chipped in with useful runs to steer their side past the 200-run mark. Vaishnavi Potdar and Nivedi Jaitpal were among the most successful bowlers for Rajawadi Cricket Club with two scalps apiece.
In reply, Rajawadi Cricket Club were restricted to 169/8 in 40 overs. None of the batters could deliver a big score. Saloni Kushte top scored with 31. Niviya Ambre (23), Tushi Shah (19), and Kimaya Rane (19) got off to starts but failed to convert them into big ones. For MIG Cricket Club, it was again Mitali, but this time, it was not Mhatre but Govekar who sparkled with three wickets in six overs.
MIG Cricket Club ended Rajawadi Cricket Club’s dreams to defend the title as they knocked them out of the tournament.
Brief Scores: MIG Cricket Club 239/4 in 40 overs (M Mhatre 108 not out; V Potdar 2/26) beat Rajawadi Cricket Club 169/8 in 40 overs (S Kushte 31; M Govekar 3/25) by 70 runs
The result of the match between Dilip Vengsarkar Foundation and Regal Cricket Club was decided on the last ball of the match as the former snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in the fifth edition of Late Arjun Madhvi Women’s Trophy on Wednesday in Thane.
Dilip Vengasarkar Foundation defended 260 in 40 overs as they seized a minuscule three-run win over Regal Cricket Club, who were restricted for 257/7 in their full quota of overs.
Batting first, former India opener Punam Raut (51) smashed her second consecutive half century of the tournament to lay a solid foundation. Raut found an able ally in Kritika Krishnakumar who impressed with a valiant 57. Similarly, Aditi Surve (47) and Anisha Shetty (41) made useful contributions to propel their team’s score beyond the 250-run mark. Though Chetana Bisht, Gauri Kadam, and Gauri Manjrekar scalped two wickets apiece, they failed to stem the fun flow.
Chasing 261 for a win and a spot in semi-final, Regal Cricket Club found themselves on the wrong side as they lost the match by a margin as thin as a hair. Srushti Naik was head and shoulders above the rest of the batters as she smacked nine fours in her feisty innings of 82. Jetsun Chi (47) and Akanksha Mishra (33) also showed promise but failed to see their side home. Like with the bat, with the ball too, Krishnakumar stood out for Dilip Vengsarkar Foundation as she snapped two scalps.
Brief Scores: Dilip Vengsarkar Foundation 260/9 in 40 overs (P Raut 51; C Bisht 2/45) beat Regal Cricket Club 257/7 in 40 overs (S Naik 82; K Krishnakumar 2/54) by 3 runs
On Tuesday, Payyade Sports Club’s captain and all-rounder, Mahi Thakkar dazzled with bat and ball to power her side to the semi-final of the fifth edition of Late Arjun Madhvi Women’s Trophy in Thane. Payyade Sports Club beat Fort Youngster Cricket Club by seven wickets as they chased 231 in just 26.3 overs.
Batting first, Fort Youngster Cricket Club posted a competitive total of 230 before they were bowled out in 34.3 overs. They did not last for the allotted 40 overs. Manasi Patil top scored with 57 with some contributions from Hiya Pandit (36), Sanmaya Upadhyay (36), and Bhumika Rai (22). However, the star of the day, Mahi Thakkar wreaked havoc with the ball as she scalped four wickets.
To pick up from where she left with the ball, Mahi dominated with the bat, scoring 76. The right-handed batter led the run chase from the front along with Ayushi Singh, who impressed with an unconquered 77. Fort Youngster Cricket Club had an ordinary day with the ball as they leaked runs in plenty. Vedika Magar was the most successful bowler for them with two wickets.
Brief Scores: Fort Youngster Cricket Club 230 all out in 34.3 overs (M Patil 57; M Thakkar 4/42) lost to Payyade Sports Club 235/3 in 26.3 overs (A Singh 77 not out; V Magar 2/30) by 7 wickets
Kshama Patekar won back-to-back player of the match awards in the fifth edition of Late Arjun Madhvi Women’s Trophy on Monday. Patekar’s all-round brilliance guided defending champions Rajawadi Cricket Club to a seven-wicket win over Victory Cricket Club. With this win, Rajawadi Cricket Club have confirmed their semi-final berth.
Chasing 187, Rajawadi Cricket Club cruised to the target in 31.3 overs at the loss of three wickets. Opener Saloni Kushte (66) top scored with a magnificent half century. Patekar, who early in the day, had claimed three wickets and was the most successful bowler for her side, made a useful contribution with the bat. She scored an undefeated 55 and stitched a 74-run partnership with Kushte. Pooja Shah picked up a couple of wickets for Victory Cricket Club but that didn’t prove to hamper Rajawadi’s chances of qualifying for the semi-final.
Batting first, Victory Cricket Club were reduced to 186/9 in 20 overs. Prisha Devrukhkar starred with the bat scoring a gritty 44. Nandita Trivedi and Kritika Yadav chipped in with 27 runs each. However, that wasn’t enough. Rajawadi Cricket Club’s bowlers came hard at them with Patekar leading the charge. Alongside her, Diksha Pawar tickled the wickets column with two scalps.
Brief Scores: Victory Cricket Club 186/9 in 40 overs (P Devrukhkar 44; K Patekar 3/35) lost to Rajawadi Cricket Club 190/3 in 31.3 overs (S Kushte 66; P Shah 2/44) by 7 wickets
Mumbai, December 8: Opening bat Varun Lavande’s century knock 101 runs (84-balls, 12×4,4×6) was the highlight of MIG Cricket Club’s 7-wicket win over Mumbai Police Gymkhana in a quarter-final match of the 108th Spinny-Purshottam Shield Cricket Tournament 2024, played at the MIG CC ground, Bandra on Sunday.
Batting first Mumbai Police Gymkhana put up a challenging total of 174 all out in 40.2 overs. Sachin Rao 46 runs was the policemen’s best batsman, while left-arm spinner Shreyas Gurav took 5 for 29. In reply, MIG Cricket Club’s powered by Lavande’s innings easily chased the target reaching 178 for 3 wickets in 28 overs. Om Keshkamat who had scored a century in the last match scored an unbeaten 34 runs.
Host P.J. Hindu Gymkhana also advanced to the semi-finals following their fluent 9-wicket win against MCA Cricket Academy.
Choosing to bat, MCA Cricket Academy. were bowled out for 125 runs in 27.3 overs. Harshwardhan B. 46 runs and Yogesh Shinde 22 were the only batters to get runs. Jitendra Paliwal 3 for 19, Atharva Bhosale 3 for 23, and Rahul Sawant 3 for 46 picked the wickets. In response, P.J. Hindu Gymkhana easily scored the winning runs losing just one wicket as they reached 126 in 21.5 overs. Eknath Kerkar 42 runs, Kaushik Chiklikar and Siddhant Adatrao were unbeaten on 39 and 33 as they crossed the finish line.
Brief scores (quarter-finals): Mumbai Police Gymkhana 174 all out, 40.2 overs (Sachin Rao 46; Shreyas Gurav 5/29) lost MIG CC 178 for 3, 28 overs (Varun Lavande 101 (84-balls, 12×4,4×6), Om Keshkamat 34*). Result: MIG CC won by 7 wickets.
MCA Cricket Academy 125 all out, 27.3 overs (Harshwardhan B. 46, Yogesh Shinde 22; Jitendra Paliwal 3/19, Atharva Bhosale 3/23, Rahul Sawant 3/46) lost P.J. Hindu Gymkhana 126 for 1, 21.5 overs (Eknath Kerkar 42, Kaushik Chiklikar 39*, Siddhant Adatrao 33*). Result: Hindu Gymkhana won by 9 wickets.
JVPG Club 216 for 9, 45 over (Abhinav Jagtap 48; A. Maniar 4/29, Jush J. 3/28) beat Muslim United 141 all out, 26 overs (Ajinkya Belose 66, Mahammad Yaseen 33; Yash Pathak 5/36, Samyak Gadhire 3/30). Result: JVPG won by 75 runs.
Ajay Mishra continued his brilliant run in the Purshottam Shield 2024-25, delivering match-winning performances in consecutive games for Payyade Sports Club.
In their first match against Shivaji Park Gymkhana at Oval Maidan, Payyade won the toss and opted to field. The decision paid off as Mishra’s lethal left-arm spin dismantled the opposition, taking 6 wickets for just 16 runs in 8 overs. Shivaji Park Gymkhana was bowled out for a mere 72 runs, and Payyade chased down the target comfortably.
The very next day, Payyade faced Parsee Gymkhana at Parsee Gymkhana Ground. Once again, they chose to field first, and Mishra delivered another masterclass. He picked up 5 wickets for 32 runs in 9 overs, cementing his position as Payyade’s top bowler this season.
With these impressive performances , Ajay Mishra further cemented his credentials as a prominent contender for selection in Mumbai’s Vijay Hazare Trophy squad. His ability to perform under pressure and produce match-winning spells makes him a valuable asset.
Payyade Sports Club. continues to showcase dominance in the Purshottam Shield , with players like Ajay Mishra leading the charge. The team’s focus will now shift to maintaining this momentum as the tournament progresses.