When two strong teams take on each other, it’s always an interesting competition and a similar sort of match was conducted between Parel SC and Parsee Gymkhana who have solid playing XI in their respective sides.
Played at the Parsee Gymkhana Ground, the hosts batting first declared their innings at 209/6d in 35overs with Suryakumar Yadav top scoring the innings with a dominating 84 off just 63balls. Surya who has had a fantastic year so far continues to stamp his presence while he also got good support from Nikhil Patil who remained unbeaten on 63* off 66balls. Parsee Gymkhana who were 34/3 at one point got back into the game on the back of Surya and Nikhil’s half centuries.
Chasing 200+ in a Kanga game and that too in the opposition’s own den is difficult but Parel SC openers had some different plans in mind. Srujan Athavale and Gaurav Chavan opened the innings together and attacked the bowlers from the word go. Both the openers stitched a 91run stand under 14overs which set the tone for the chase. Srujan went on to score a match winning 85 off 84balls (13fours,2sixes) while the dangerous Gaurav who is known for his attacking style of batting scored a yet another blazing 57 off 36balls (6fours, 4sixes) as Parel SC declared their innings on 210/2 in mere 29.1overs.
Parsee Gymkhana batted for another 9overs in their second innings before the end of the game’s play where Parel SC won the match on 1st innings lead.
There have been only few instances of all-rounders achieving the feat of scoring a half century & taking 5wkts at the International level and even at the domestic or local level, it’s very rare to see a player doing that. However, in the Kanga matches which were conducted last Sunday, there was one hidden gem from D Division who single handedly took the game away from the opposition.
The match we are talking about is the one which was played at Khar Gymkhana between Gaud Saraswat CC and Khar Gymkhana team. Khar Gymkhana who batted first were not off to a solid start with their top 3 falling out quickly but it was all-rounder Dhaval Panchal who came at no.4 to score a solid 50 off 66balls. Right-handed Dhaval smashed 6fours and a six en-route his match saving fifty at a time when he was lacking support from the other end. Khar Gymkhana eventually declared their innings on 162/7 in 40overs.
Gaud Saraswat CC in reply were reduced to just 80runs all out with all-rounder Dhaval also becoming the pick of the bowlers. Dhaval came up with bowling figures of 5/17 in 8overs as he cleaned up the lower order with his wily spin. Gaud Saraswat received a follow on where they batted for another 7overs before the end of the game’s play where Khar Gymkhana won the match on 1st innings lead.
It’s always a good feeling to be the highest scorer as well as the leading bowler in the same match and Dhaval so far becomes the all-rounder to achieve that feat this year in Kanga.
You will find many youngsters with the best excuses to run away from practice and then comes players like Abbie who even at the age of 50 can give you a run for the money. Former India Cricketer Abey Kuruvilla who has played 82First Class Games with 280wkts and has represented India in 10 Tests and 25ODI’s under Azharuddin playing alongside Sachin in the 90’s with a fifer vs West Indies at Bridgetown still manages to give his best in cricket. Such is the passion he has towards the game, he plays with full humbleness in the D Div of Kanga league with the same enthusiaism which he had two decade ago.
The 6ft 6inch soft spoken humble giant who was the tallest player to represent India recently played at Cross Maidan representing Pandurangwadi CC.
Young Friends CC batting first were all out for 159runs in 55.2overs with Abey being the pick of the bowlers taking 4/36 in 25.2overs with as many as 10maidens. Ashwin Shelke who was amongst the top wicket takers last year also bowled well taking 4/37 in his 13 overs. Pandurangwadi team who were 82/5 at one point received a much needed push by Abey who came at no.6 to score a belligerent 87 off mere 58balls. What’s more the tall right-hander made full use of his height & power smashing 9big sixes much to the entertainment of his team mates taking the team total to 191/7 d in 49overs which helped them win the match on 1st innings lead.
It was a satisfying day on the ground for Abey where he reminded everyone of his heydays while his 86 & 4wkts also looks much similar to the comeback man Jadeja’s 86* and 4wkts vs England in the 5th test which is going on right now!
On one hand is one of the most experienced Mumbai Cricketer who is amassing runs consistently and on the other side is a youngster full of fire with a passion to prove his supreme batting talent. Yes we are talking about Praful Waghela & Sarfaraz Khan, 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) while Sarfaraz who scored a flashy 83 in the last game continues to give a strong statement with a yet another “Sarafaraz Special Knock” of 109runs in mere 96balls (12fours, 2sixes). Both the players displayed some amazing strokes before Payyade declared their innings on 301runs.
Sind SC on the other hand were 6down for 115runs in 31 overs before they narrowly escaped from the jaws of defeat as the match ended in a draw.
Rudra the same young bloke who dished out the fastest double ton a year ago this time showed that he can be equally solid with the bat too under difficult conditions. The matches held on 9th Sept ’18 witnessed some exhilarating performances with Rudra standing out with his unbeaten ton.
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.
Last Sunday witnessed every division having some spectacular performances and it was not just A, B or C Div churning out good performances. Even F & G div has players impressing one and all. Let’s take a look at some top performances from F Division.
It was Paresh Shah who stood out with his 5/23 in the match between Achievers CC and Sangam SC. Achievers SC batting first were reduced to just 96runs as medium pacer Paresh Shah took an impressive fifer with the ball. Sangam SC batted for 37.1 overs for the loss of 8wkts before the match ended in a draw.
In the match between Shantibhai SM CC and Canara Vijay, Shantibhai CC were all out for 73runs batting first. However they gave a terrific comeback with the ball restricting Canara Vijay to just 66runs all out on the back of a match winning spell by medium pacer Swapnil Desai who took 6/19 in 7overs. Shantibhai SS declared their 2nd innings on 55runs & Canara Vijay batted for 2overs before the game ended with Shantibhai CC winning the match on 1st innings lead.
In the match which took place at Khar Gymkhana between Ours CC and BRD CC, Ours CC declared their innings batting first on 144/7 with Dushyant Kadam top scoring the innings with a very elegant 76 off 133balls(8fours,2sixes). BRD CC in reply were bundled out for 87runs with spinner Atish Walinjkar giving a fantastic perfomance with the ball taking 5/42 in 10overs. Ours CC batted for 4.1overs before the end of the game’s play where Ours CC won the match on 1st innings.
Mumbai team is on a positive note winning the semi finals on Friday vs Puduc herry. The team is really giving a strong perfomance with every player contributing in every match which has helped Mumbai progress well in the tournament. Here are the latest updates from the tournament-
Mumbai vs IOCL-3rd September
Mumbai winning the toss elected to field first restricting IOCL to a modest total of 134runs all out in 32.4overs. All-rounder Shams Mulani was the destroyer in chief bagging 6/34 in 9overs. Shams keeps on proving his mettle as an all-rounder with his consistent performances. Mumbai while chasing won the match by 7wkts with opener Akhil top scoring with 46.
Mumbai vs Railwasy SPB-5th September
Railways team winning the toss elected to field first with Mumbai scoring a healthy 300runs on the board batting first. Opening the innings, Eknath Kerkar top scored with 84runs in 98balls (7fours, 2sixes). Eknath also got good support from Prasad Pawar who also chipped in with a solid 76. They both together also stitched a 127run stand together helping Mumbai solidify their innings. Railways while chasing lost the match by 52runs as every bowler from Mumbai chipped in with a wicket or two making it a collectively good bowling perfomance.
Mumbai vs Puducherry, Semi final 7th September
In the all important semi-finals, Mumbai winning the toss and batting first were all out for 224runs. Mumbai who were 62/5 at one point came back into the match by their middle-order. Attacking all-rounders Shams Mulani and Shivam Dubey smashed fifties while Akash Parkar scored a hard fought 89ball 40 helping Mumbai cross the 200run mark. Puducherry were off to a fantastic start on the back of Shashank Singh’s brilliant 62. Paras Dogra(54*) and Nilesh S(34*) finished off the chase in style as Puducherry qualify for the finals.
G Division is the last division of Kanga League and there were some players who gave excellent performances which showed that good matches are just not limited to the top divisions. Here’s a look at some bright performances.
In the match between Navi Mumbai SC and Sportsmen CC Vasai, Navi Mumbai SC batting first were all out for 59runs in 20.2overs. Medium pacer Shailendra Ghodekar bowled an impressive spell taking 5/11 in 6.2overs. On the other hand, Sportsmen CC were all out for 78runs with Malcolm Monteiro being the pick of the bowlers with 5/28 while Bharat Shinde taking 4wkts. Navi Mumbai SC were 70/6 in 2nd innings with Nikhil Ajgaonkar taking 3wkts in both the innings. It was a neck to neck match with Sportsmen CC Vasai winning the match on 1st innings lead.
In the match between The Catholic Gymkhana and Young Parsee CC, Catholic Gymkhana were bundled out for mere 41runs with veteran Rajesh Paghdhare bowling a wonderful spell of 6/22 in 10overs. In reply, Young Parsee CC declared their innings at 44/5. Catholic Gymkhana batted for 19overs in their 2nd innings before the match ended with Young Parsee CC winning the match on 1st innings lead.
In the match between KRP XI and Bluestar CC at cross maidan, KRP XI made 147/10 in 1st innings with opener Tushar Tiwari top scoring with 49runs. Bluestar CC were 8wkts down for 62runs with spinner Yuvang Shah taking 4wkts for just 8runs. However, Bluestar CC escaped a narrow defeat with the match ending in a draw.
In the match held at Oval Maidan between Young Muslim SC and Kurla SC, Young Muslim SC batting first declared their innings at 149/3 with opener Jayesh Mhatre remaining unbeaten till the end scoring a very solid 77* off 137balls(5fours,2sixes). In reply, Kurla SC were 90/8 with Mandar Lotlikar top scoring with 45 with the bat while Sameer taking 4wkts with the ball. The match ended in a draw.
In the match between Chembur Gymkhana and Kerala Windsor SC, Chembur Gymkhana batting first were all out for 81runs in 26.5overs on the back of a terrific bowling spell by Madhav Yadav. Medium Pacer Madhav bagged 6/21 in 7.5overs making him the pick of the bowlers. Kerala Windsor batted for 40.4 overs declaring their innings on 103/8. Chembur Gymkhana were 1down for 19runs before the match ended with Kerala Windsor winning the game on 1st innings lead.
In the match which was held on 30th August vs ACA President XI, Mumbai won the toss and elected to field first restricting ACA to 267/6 in 50overs. Vijay Gohil with 3/36 was the pick of the bowlers while the rest of the bowlers also did a good job.
Chasing 268 runs, attacking opener Jay Bista opening the innings scored a match winning 120* off 138balls (7fours, 4sixes). Jay also good support from young batting sensation Yashasvi Jaiswal who scored a confident 60* off 76balls. Mumbai won the match by 9wkts in a dominating fashion while Jay Bista silently keeps on proving his mettle with the bat.
Mumbai then took on Jammu & Kashmir on 2nd September wherein they bundled out Mumbai team for just 138runs in 44overs. All-Rounders Jay Bista and Shams Mulani took 3wkts each impressing with the ball. Mumbai team on the other hand chased down the score with ease as Akhil Herwadkar opening the innings scored an attacking 84* off 68balls smashing 6fours & 6sixes. Akhil has been piling on runs consistently and it was his another match winning fifty steering Mumbai team to a 9wkt win.