Played at JNPT, Navi Mumbai, Thane D The Champions XI after winning the toss elected to bat first managing to score 151/9 in 19.4 overs. Skipper Mangesh Nalavade who opened the innings scored a very crucial 67 off just 44 balls hitting 8 fours and 2 sixes. Had he not scored a half century, chances were high of Thane D collapsing under 100 runs.
On the other hand, Navi Mumbai Advocates Team were all out for 100 runs on the back of some really tight bowling by Thane D bowlers. Sushil Bhalerao (3/22) and Sameer Surve (2/11) were the pick of the bowlers as Thane D Champions won the match by 51 runs in a commanding manner. Skipper Mangesh Nalavade was declared man of the match for his crucial contribution of 67 runs.
Young Mohmeddan CC after electing to bat first were all out for 221 runs in 52.5 overs on the back of middle order batsman Kadir Patel’s brilliant 113 off 93 balls. After 2 wkts down for just 5 runs and half of the team out for 89 runs, it was Kadir at no.5 changing the momentum in his team’s favor hitting the bowlers with confidence smashing 14 fours and 5 sixes. Opening batsman Jay Bista surprisingly was the pick of the bowlers taking 3 wkts for just 3 runs.
Victory CC in return were off to a thumping start with Jay Bista (37) and Kaushik setting the tone for the chase. Opener Kaushik Chikhalikar anchored the chase with an unbeaten 89*off 118 balls (11 fours) while he got good support from Azhar Ansari who chipped in with a quick 34 ball 59 (6 fours, 4 sixes) as Victory CC successfully chased down the score and won the match by 6 wkts.
Parsee Gymkhana after being made to bat first on their home ground enjoyed their batting scoring a healthy total of 384/9 in 70 overs. Opener Akarshit Gomel scored a sturdy 88 (152 balls) despite a few early wickets. However, Suryakumar Yadav who came at no.4 not only stitched a 166 run stand with Gomel but also went on to score a blazing 152 off mere 124 balls. Suryakumar was in T20 mood smashing 22 fours and a six thrashing the bowlers with complete dominance.
CCI had a big task of chasing 385 runs against the quality bowlers of Parsee Gymkhana on their own ground. However, it was the experienced campaigner Vinit Indulkar taking hold of the situation anchoring the chase with a brilliant 107 (125 balls). Opener Vinit also got good support from Paul who scored a quick 42. Apart from them it was the middle order consisting of Sujit Nayak (62 off 66 balls) and Prashant Naik (85* off 92 balls) scoring crucial half centuries at no.4 and 5 which helped CCI cross the victory line and winning the match by 5 wkts and 4.1 overs to spare.
To fire under pressure in the all important finals requires a lot of temperament, a cool head and experience. It’s always believed that experienced cricketers play a huge role in cricket and Pardeep Sahu just proved what it means to have a campaigned bowler in the side as the skipper led from the front in the finals.
Parkophene Cricketers after being made to bat first at Police Gymkhana were off to a good start with their top order chipping in with runs. However, it was Adeeb Usmani at no.5 turning the script of the game with his match winning 134. Adeeb got his 134 in mere 114 deliveries giving the final blow to the opposition with 12 fours and 7 sixes displaying his big hitting abilities at such a crucial stage of the game. Quickster Badrey Alam was quite impressive taking 5/98 in 20.5 overs.
Payyade SC in reply were all out for 241 runs with Skipper Parag and Shubham hitting valiant half centuries. From the bowlers, it was Pardeep Sahu being the pick of the bowlers taking 5/54 in 12 overs. Parkophene Cricketer in 2nd innings declared their innings on 247/6 with Suved top scoring with 83 giving a target of 353 runs to Payyade team. Payyade did gave a tough fight but it was again Pardeep Sahu coming up with crucial 5 wkts in 2nd innings giving timely breakthroughs with his impressive leg breaks as Payyade were all out for 271 runs.
Parkophene Cricketers won the match by 96 runs and with that they also win the finals of the Police Shield lifting the title on the back of great team performance throughout the tournament.
Crucial Contributors from Parkophene Cricketers
Prasad Pawar-400 Runs in 6 innings at an average of 80.00 and Strike Rate of 92.00
Adeeb Usmani- 216 runs in 5 innings at an average of 43.50 and Strike Rate of 105.88
Pardeep Sahu- 16 wkts in 4 innings at an average of 18.00 and econ of 4.75
Atif Attarwala- 11 wkts in 6 innings at an average of 18.00 and econ of 3.92
National CC after electing to bat first were once again off to a flying start on the back of Jiniv (52 off 70 balls) and Shrideep. The opening combo of Jiniv and Shrideep seems to be working really well for National CC where in Shrideep went on to score a classy 172* off 194 balls. Just fresh from a match winning 95, Shrideep was all grace and calm while also dealt with the loose balls with authority smashing 17 fours and 3 sixes en-route his massive ton. Sachin Gill at no.8 scored a crucial 67 as team total was pushed to a very healthy score of 372/8 in 70 overs.
In reply, DPC Sports Club were restricted to only 194 runs in 54 overs with almost every bowlers of National CC chipping in with wickets.
National Cricket Club won by a margin of 178 on the back of solid batting by Shrideep and a collectively good bowling from the bowlers.
Sunrise SC after electing to bowl first at Cross Maidan received a strong performance from Parsee Cyclists team as they declared their 1st innings on 215/4 in mere 26 overs. Left-Handed Prasad Patil opening the innings went on to score a swashbuckling hundred reaching in mere 75 balls. Prasad scored exactly 100 off 75 deliveries smashing 10 fours and 4 sixes in what a completely stroke filled and an entertaining knock.
In reply, Sunrise SC were all out for 170 runs with left-arm spinner Mayur Deolekar bagging 4/54 being the pick of the bowlers while off-spinner Yogesh Patil bagging 3 wkts.
Parsee Cyclists won the match on 1st innings lead and lead the table at 2nd position with 15 points just a point behind Matunga Gymkhana (16 points) in E Division.
Into the final leg of the Kanga League, Islam Gymkhana locked horns with Rajasthan SC in a virtual finals at the Islam Gymkhana Ground, skipper Hashir put the opposition to bat first with the home advantage of troubling the batsman with their experienced bowlers.
Rajasthan SC were bundled out for 138 runs in 41.5 overs as off spinner Salman Khan was the pick of taking 4/24 in 13.5 overs. Experienced Hitesh Kadam who has been on song this season continued to impress with his left arm spin taking 4/76 in 17 overs.
Islam Gymkhana in return batted really well taking their score to 201/4dec in 38 overs. Aryan Bangar continued his good nick from last match scoring 58* making it back to back half centuries. Islam Gymkhana won the match on 1st innings lead and also become the C Div winners with 21 points in 9 games.
Even though the entire team performed well throughout the tournament, it was these 3 being the crucial contributors for Islam Gymkhana led by Hashir Dafedar-
- Hitesh Kadam-32 wkts in 10 innings at an average of 13.00 with 3 Five-wkt hauls.
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- Salman Khan-23 wkts in 9 innings at an average of 9.00
- Prem Salvi-233 runs in 9 innings at a strike rate of 113.00
Let’s take a look at those 5 bowlers who stood out from more than a hundred performances in the month of October to make it into the top 5 for the month of October.
5. Digvijay Singh (Left Arm Spinner)-9/46-Kanga League ‘18
46 yr Old Digvijay Singh who is also an ex-Goa Ranji Cricketer came up with the best bowling figures in Kanga League 2018 and is certainly an inspiration at the age of 40+.
DPZ CC batting first at Dadkar Maidan were all out for 156 runs as left-arm spinner Digvijay Singh fell just one wkt short of the coveted record which every bowler dreams to achieve. Digvijay came up with envious bowling figures of 9/46 in 16.3 overs as he troubled each and every batsman with his spin not allowing anyone to settle while giving timely breakthroughs.
His team Amar CC was all out for 97 runs and they did lost the match on 1st innings but Digvijay won the hearts of many. Digvjay Singh also achieved the best bowling figures across all divisions for this year’s Kanga breaking the record of Navi Mumbai SC quickster Bharat Shinde who took 8/10 vs Bluestar CC.
4. Tushar Pendeshwar(RHB)-5/6 in Dreamz T20 Tournament ‘18
All-Rounders are always an asset to the game and especially in its shortest format-the T20 where they play a big role. A quality all-rounder in the playing XI can make a world of a difference and Tushar just gave that quality all-round performance helping his team win the match almost single handedly.
GEP Solutions batting first were restricted to 96/9 in 20overs as most of the batsman failed to convert their starts. Tushar from FSS bowled one of the best T20 spells giving away only 6runs in 4overs of a T20 game while scalping 5wkts.
Chasing 97, FSS chased it down very easily in 13.2overs while Tushar finished the game with a quick cameo of 25* off 18 balls (3fours, 1six) as FSS won the match by 6 wkts.
3. Shreyans Bogar(Left-arm Fast)-8/21 in Kanga League ‘18
It was a match dominated by bowlers at Azad Maidan as one bowler from each team managed to change the game making it an interesting competition to watch.
Superstar SC batting first were reduced to mere 63runs all out in 34.4overs with only two batsman managing to score in two digits.
An easy win was on the cards for Juhu Vile Parle Team but Shreyans Bogar from Superstar changed the script in a matter of few overs. Left-arm medium pacer Shreyansh bowled one of the tearaway spells of this year’s kanga running through the batting line up of the opposition taking 8/21 in 7.5overs. His accurate spell of fast bowling also included 4batsman getting out clean bowled as Superstar SC from nowhere won the match on 1st innings lead.
2. Pratik Sargade (Spinner)- 12/64 in Kanga League ‘18
Played at the United Cricketers Cross Maidan, United Cricketers were made to bat first by Apollo CC team on their home turf. Their decision to bowl first was spot on as they reduced United Cricketers to mere 67runs all out in the 1st innings. The bowler who turned the game for Apollo team was Pratik Sargade bagging 5/15 in 11overs with 6maidens in what was a very impressive spell of spin bowling.
Apollo CC declared their innings on 87/2 and.United Cricketer were again bundled out for 126runs in their 2nd innings as the bowler on song Pratik Sargade this time bagged a stunning 7wkts for 49runs taking his tally of wickets to 12/64 in the match.
Apollo CC won the match on 1st innings lead & it was a match where Pratik simply snatched the game away single handedly from United Cricketers helping his team win dominantly.
AND FINALLY THE NO.1
1. Bharat Shinde (Right Arm Fast)-8/10 in Kanga League’18
In the match which was held at Shivaji Park, Bluestar CC elected to bat first with an aim of making a decent total to put Navi Mumbai SC under pressure. However, the game changed upside down for Bluestar CC as fast bowler Bharat Shinde came up with terrific bowling figures of 8/10 in 14overs with 8maidens which restricted Bluestar to 75runs all out in 37.3overs. Bharat’s searing pace and consistent line and length made life difficult for the batsman as he simply did not allow any batsman to settle at the crease.
Navi Mumbai SC in reply made 130/8dec and it was a good day for Bharat as he remained unbeaten with the bat too hitting a boundary and a six at no.9. Navi Mumbai SC won the match on 1st innings and if was definitely Bharat Shinde grabbing all the attention with his pace bowling coming up with 2nd best bowling figures across all divisions in this year’s Kanga League 2018.
October was a month where the cricketing season kickstarts at its peak, there are numerous tournaments and numerous matches across Mumbai. Hence, to make it into the top 5 is certainly a commendable feat considering these 5 knocks stood out from a minimum of 300+ performances in the month of October.
Here are the top 5
5. Pragnesh Kanpillewar (LHB)-155 (113 balls), Mahindra Shield Tournament’ 18
His team Vijay Merchant XI in reply to Vijay Manjrekar’s 1st innings managed to score 335 runs as Pragnesh Kanpillewar once again showed his resistance and solid batting technique going on to score a match winning 155 off mere 113 balls scoring half of the team runs himself. It was an innings of pure belligerence in a test format as he smashed 21 fours and 6 sixes to push his team towards a healthy total.
It was on the basis of his brilliant 155, Vijay Merchant XI had won the match on 1st innings lead.
4. Dhanraj Shinde (RHB)- 101* (47 balls), Kanga League ’18
We always knew scoring in Kanga is difficult and especially those hundreds which are a daunting task. Then comes players who amaze you by not only scoring hundreds but smashing them in style with pure dominance. Dhanraj Shinde just broke this year’s fastest Kanga ton record which was earlier held by Rakesh Naik who scored in 57 balls.
Amar CC batting first declared their innings on 167/8 with Harshad Rawle top scoring with a gritty 76. New Amrit CC on the other hand were off to a good start with Dhanraj who come at no.5 continuing the good start left by the openers. Right handed Dhanraj was in the acceleration mode from ball 1 as he thrashed the bowlers everywhere in every corner of the ground smashing as many as 11 sixes and 5 fours dealing only in boundaries. Dhanraj not only smashed the fastest ton but also achieved one more record of most sixes in an innings in Kanga ’18.
New Amrit CC were 203/5 as they won the match on 1st innings on the back of Dhanraj’s blazing ton.
3. Prasad Pawar (RHB)- 115* (126 balls), Semi-Finals of Police Shield ’18 while Chasing
Into the all important semi-finals of the prestigious Police Shield Tournament, it was a high pressure game for MIG CC and Parkophene Cricketers. MIG CC entered the game as favorites because of their in- form batting line up as well as their team’s overall progress this season. However, the talented team of Parkophene Cricketers ensured that a tough fight be given and change the cards in the all important semis.
Chasing 256 against the powerful MIG, Parkophene were 78/4 at one point and chasing it down appeared certainly difficult. However things changed when Prasad Pawar who came at no.6 scored his 2nd ton of the tournament. It was indeed one of the crucial tons while chasing as he scored 115* off 126 Balls (9 fours, 2 sixes) helping Parkophene Cricketers win the match by 5 wkts. Prasad soaked the pressure well as he kept his calm while kept the scoreboard ticking helping his team reach the finals.
2. Rudra Dhanday (RHB)- 203 (193 balls), Police Shield Tournament ‘18
In many ways Rudra Dhanday has attributes much like our Hitman Rohit Sharma. There is no stopping once Rohit gets going and the same applies to Rudra too as far his batting style is concerned. Rudra who once scored a double hundred in T20 has showed over the last few seasons his penchant for scoring big knocks and this time he showed it in the Police Shield with a thumping double ton.
MCA Colts batting first notched up a massive total of 416/6 in 70overs and maximum credit to their opener Rudra who almost scored half of the runs. Opening the innings, right handed Rudra tore apart the bowlers with his aggressive batting as he went on to score a double hundred like a boss. Rudra scored 203 off off 193balls smashing 25fours and 2sixes while also did good running between the wickets keeping his calm when required
In reply Islam Gymkhana were all out for 202runs as MCA Colts snapped a massive win by 214runs on the back of Rudra’s double ton.
& FINALLY THE NO.1
1. Bhupen Lalwani (RHB)- 191 (319 balls), Shalini Bhalekar Tournament ‘18
Well it was a tough choice between Rudra and Bhupen but Bhupen made it to the top spot not only because his knock of 191 came at a time when hardly any batsman from his team were able to score runs, it was also because of his consistent performance with 432 runs at an average of 108.00 in the Shalini Bhalekar Tournament. Bhupen also batted twice from start to end opening the innings fighting it out single handedly scoring almost half of the team runs.
In the match between Jehangir Pithawala and Hemang Waigankar XI at Wankhede Stadium, Bhupen played a yet another special innings at a ground where every cricketer has a dream to score a hundred and raise the bat with pride. Bhupen not only stitched a132 run stand with Jay Bista opening the innings. He converted his good start into a majestic 191 off 319 balls laced with 13 fours and 6 sixes. An innings which was a mixture of perfect temperament facing more than 50 overs alone as well as brute hitting which had 6 sixes in it taking his team to 419/10 in 119 overs.
Played between 14 Shantibhai Seth and U14 Dahisar Youngsters at the Shivaji Park Dadar, Shantibhai CC after being made to bat first were all out for 63 runs as their batting line up collapsed on the back of excellent bowling by Dahisar Youngster’s off-spinner Umar Khan.
Umar with his impressive off-spin came up with amazing bowling figures of 8/18 in 15 overs with 7 maidens. Umar was simply spot on with the ball and troubled the batsman to the hilt. Umar who was also awarded by Hindustan Times as on one of the promising bowlers continues to impress one and all. In return, Dahisar Youngsters declared their innings on 88/7 as they are now having an upper hand in the match.