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.
Automotive team has been supporting MIG Cricket Club for the past 2years and the constant support and hardwork seems to be finally paid off as MIG Cricket Club in the latest season of Kanga gave some excellent performances while also went on to win the A Div Kanga League.
Automotive team who are in its 2nd year of sponsorship with MIG is proving to be lucky for the club as the team has progressed leaps and bounds over the past few seasons. Sachin Sanghvi from Automotive in a recent interview with Cricketgraph quipped ‘MIG is now one of the best teams in Mumbai cricket winning the A Div and it feels proud to be a part of that family, I wish them the best they keep on performing consistently while we support them in whatever opportunities we can”.
Sachin Sanghvi also thanked the entire team right from the support staff, groundsman, the skipper who led from the front to the management led by Amit Dani and colleagues in supporting the cricketers in the best capacity.
Automotive which is in existence since the last 70 years is an authorized Maruti Sales and Service center brand. The company always believes in consistency and MIG team seems to be in perfect tandem with their sponsor’s motto.
Cricketgraph Rankings are finally out as the season kickstarts. Hence, let’s take a look at the top 5 Knocks between June to September ’18.
5. Rudra Dhanday- 120* off 127 balls for Karnatak SA in Kanga League ‘18
Played between Karnatak SA and Dadar Union at the KSA, Cross Maidan. Karnatak SA after being made to bat first displayed their batting strength on their home ground as they notched up a commanding total of 216/4 in 47overs. Opening the innings, Rudra Dhanday played till the very end smashing a brilliant 120* off 139balls (11fours, 2sixes). Rudra who is an attacking batsman showed that he can adjust well to the situations and also play with a calm head scoring half of the runs running between the wickets.
Dadar Union batted for 38 overs for the loss of 5wkts before the match ended in a draw.
4. Praful Waghela- 139 off 131 balls for Payyade SC in Kanga League ‘18
Two batsmen of different generations with different dimensions teaming it up together for an eye pleasing 223run stand which itself is a record for one of the best partnerships in Kanga league this year.
Held at Islam Gymkhana between Payade SC and Sind SC, Payyade SC batting first managed to score a very healthy total of 301/6 on board. Despite two early wickets, left-handed Praful Waghela and Sarfaraz Khan who came at no.3 & 4 respectively stitched the innings with a crucial 223runs stand solidifying Payyade’s innings. Praful scored an enterprising 139 off 131balls (17fours, 2sixes) which became the highest score in this year’s Kanga League ’18.
Ishan Mithbavkar- 100* off 69 balls for Abbott in Milan T20 Tournament ‘18
Even though the openers failed to give a good start, it was their talented no.3 batsman Ishan Mithbavkar who has been in excellent form in 2018 continuing his good form. Ishan delivered at the right time under pressure as he went on to score a brilliant as well as a match winning 100* off mere 69balls. Ishan counter attacked the bowlers smashing 16boundaries while he also did good running between the wickets keeping the scoreboard ticking.
Abbott team won the semi-finals while Ishan stole the show single handedly.
2. Mohit Tanwar- 142 off 151 balls for SRT XI in the finals of U14 Summer Vacation Tournament ‘18
It was the all important finals at the united cricketers, Cross Maidan where in two really strong teams full of talented youngsters took on each other namely U14 SRT and U14 Kalyan+Bhiwandi where in both the teams have consistently played well throughout the season.
SRT team winning the toss batted first notching up 233/10 in 72.1overs. It was basically a batting collapse as apart from Raj and Mohit, only 41runs were accounted between 9players. Mohit who came at no.3 once again played a dazzling innings smashing a superlative 142 off 151balls laced with 14fours and 2sixes. Mohit as usual kept on playing his natural game and kept the scoreboard ticking despite wickets being lost from the other end.
U14 SRT team won the finals of the MCA U14 Summer Vacation Tournament and it was definitely because of great co-ordination amongst the boys with consistent good cricket being played. Mohit Tanwar stole the show in the finals while he has a consistent run scorer in whichever tournaments he has played so far.
AND FINALLY THE NO.1
1. Manan Bhatt- 152* off 62 balls for IES in DSO U14 Tournament ‘18
IES team after winning the toss notched up a massive target of 210/1 in 15overs and that was all possible because of their swashbuckling opener Manan Bhatt. The little master simply took on the bowlers with pure dominance reaching his ton in mere 47balls making it the fastest ton not only in DSO but also one of the fastest overall in Mumbai Local cricket for 2018. Manan went on to score an unbeaten 152* off just 62balls laced with 24fours and 5sixes as most of the bowlers went for a thrashing. What’s more he scored his last 49runs in mere 15balls accelerating furthermore in the last 5overs.
In reply, Lakshdham High School managed to score only 86/7 in 15 overs as IES were handed over a big win by a margin of 124runs. It was a match which captured everyone’s attention as Manan kept the bowler on toes.