Medium pacers who can chip in with a few over in between and break partnerships while also bowl full spells when required are an asset and Paresh Shah is one such bowled who is a utility bowler whose bowling can be used in various stages of the game.
In one of the recent matches at Worli SC, Taki Team were bundled out for 124 runs in 36 overs as most of the batsman found it difficult to get going. Medium Pacer Paresh Shah who relies on accuracy along with line and length was the pick of the bowlers taking 5/32 in 15 overs with 5 maidens in what turned out to be an impressive spell. Medium pacers Sachin and Nirnay bagged the other 5wkts between themselves in what was a good bowling perfomance by Sangam SC.
In reply, Sangam SC were 118/8 where they fell just 7runs short of winning the match on 1st innings lead.
JP Morgan Chase B after being made to bat first did not manage to put a heavy total on the board managing only 121/5 in 20 overs. opener Rajesh Vayal anchored the innings with a brilliant half century. Rajesh scored 66* off 66 balls batting till the end smashing 8 fours and a six. Rajesh kept his nerve not losing his wicket despite wickets falling from the other end.
Chasing at just above 6 runs per over in T20 is just a formality nowadays as Aditya Nikam and Ajinkya Patil chipped in with crucial 30’s as JP Morgan won the match convincingly.
WNS A won the match by 7 wkts and Aditya Nikam was declared ‘man of the match’ for taking 2wkts and scoring 35runs. JP Morgan’s Rajesh Vayal’s 66* was also impressive.
A match where both the teams give their best with all their batsman chipping in with contributions always turns out to be a neck to neck interesting encounters and one such match was between Bombay Gymkhana and PJ Hindu Gymkhana at PJ Hindu Gymkhana ground.
PJ Hindu Gymkhana batting first were off to a brilliant start as their top order fired with perfection. Sachin Katkar opening the innings scored a solid 72 off 86balls while his partner Ankit Revandkar fell 4 short of a deserving 50. Anup Revandkar who came at no.3 scored 90 ball 59 while also stitched a good partnership with Sachin Wagh. Sachin Wagh who had a great all-round season in Kanga continued his good form scoring an aggressive 87ball 97 (12 fours, 2 sixes). Sachin confidently took on the bowlers propelling his team towards a good total of 352/9 in 70 overs.
In reply, Bombay Gymkhana despite a poor start gave a good fight winning the match by 2 wkts and 4 overs to spare. Ishan Mulchandani at no.3 scored a crucial 64 while the 175run stand between Pratik Desai and Sujoy Thakkar changed the game for Bombay Gymkhana. Pratik 96(89 balls) fell just 4 runs short of a match winning ton while Sujoy played the anchors role with a 103 ball 81 pushing their team to a stunning win.
Hundreds are always difficult in Kanga and especially when you are chasing and trying to play at a strike rate of 140+. Young Muslim SC declared their innings at 189/7 at the CCI ground expecting the score would be enough to defend against the Kerala Windsor boys.
However, Keral Windsor’s opener Raj was in a completely different zone smashing the ball from the word go. Right handed Raj Khandwala went on to score a belligerent ton smashing 100 off just 71 balls laced with 7 fours and 3 sixes. Raj ensured every corner of the ground was covered with his fluent batting as he handed over a 5wkt win to his team with ease. Sahil Purohit at the middle order also gave good support scoring 53 off 52 balls. Raj’s 71ball ton also happens to be the 2nd fastest ton in Kanga this year.
Mahindra Logistics batting first at Directors of Logistics ground notched up a very healthy total of 169/4 in 20 overs despite a sluggish start by their top 3 batsman.
However their middle order comprising of Vedant Ingle (50* off 43 balls) and Rohan Kalbhor (63 off 38balls) got their team back into the game 100+ stand. While Vedant played the anchors role it was Rohan taking on the bowlers smashing 5fours and 4sixes en-route his swashbuckling half century.
In reply, Reliance ADA was all out for 148 runs as Pankaj Kori ran through their batting line up taking 4 wkts for 20 runs. It was a dominating win for the Mahindra team as they won by 23 runs.
Datamatics after opting to bat first notched up a very good total of 189/3 in 20overs with their opener Dishan Rane giving a solid start smashing 85 off 57 balls anchoring the innings well. Dishan smashed 4 fours and 3 sixes while also kept his nerve when it was require as the rest of the batsman chipped in with 20’s and 30’s. The bowling could have been better as there were as many as 40 extras being conceded.
Pidilite were bundled out for 88runs as Rohidas Koyade ran through Pidlite’s batting line up coming up with match winning bowling figures of 5/11 in 4overs. Bowling figures like these are nothing but impressive in a T20 match as Datamatics won the match by 101runs.
Rohidas seems to be in a excellent form with the ball continuing his good nick from Kanga where he took 16wkts in his last 3 games.
All-Rounders are always an asset to the game and especially in its shortest format-the T20 where all-rounders 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. Though too early to say since the season has just started but this will be definitely amongst the top t20 spells in corporate cricket this year.
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.
Payyade SC after opting to bat first made a good total of 281/10 in 65.1overs as their opener Harsh Tank gave a brilliant start smashing 107 off 108balls smashing 12fours and 2sixes. Harsh seems to be finally back into the groove as he timed the ball nicely while also played at a good strike rate. Salman Ahmed who opened with him scored a gritty 59 while Hardik Tamore continued his good form with a solid 68 off 86balls. Youngster Varun Joijode took 5wkts for 106runs being the pick of the bowler for Shivaji Park Gymkhana.
Shivaji Park Gymkhana were in reply all out for 180runs as left arm spinners Vinayak Bhoir (4/41) and Vishal Dabholkar (3/46) sealed the game for their team winning the match by 101runs.
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. Apart from him Chinmay Sutar and Pranav Kela scored half centuries as MCA Colts posted a big total.
In reply Islam Gymkhana were all out for 202runs as MCA Colts snapped a massive win by 214runs.
Legends are forever and Wasim Jaffer is one of those legends whose records speak for itself. The 40yr old former Test opener of India who has the highest first class runs standing tall at 18,000+ Runs and also the highest Ranji run scorer this time played for MIG in the Police Shield and it must be a great feeling for the youngsters to play alongside him.
MIG CC batting first declared their innings at 375/7 in 70overs with opener Sumit Ghadigaonkar giving a solid start falling just 5short of a classy ton. Sumit was out on 95 off 156balls not before he stitched an 182run stand with the experienced Wasim Jaffer who came at no.3 to score a majestic 125 off 143balls laced with 9fours and 6sixes. Wasim even though 40 reminded us of his peak days still hitting the ball as sweetly as he always did.
In reply Worli CC were all out for 208 as MIG CC won the match by 167runs. Spinner Vinit Dhulap with 4/23 was the pick of the bowlers.