It was the all important semi-finals between DMCC and WNS at the DPC Matunga ground wherein DMCC won the toss and elected to bat first as they have batted fairly well throughout the tournament. DMCC and WNS are two teams who have been excellent in this tournament and an exciting competition was bound to happen.
DMCC made 144/7 in 45overs batting first as the WNS bowlers really kept it tight. Opener H.Dodia with 49 looked solid but the rest of the batsman really struggled. From the bowlers, Aditya Nikam turned out to be the most impressive of the lot taking 4/39 in 9overs while the other bowlers also did not allow the batsman to score runs freely. Aditya bowled at really good line and length while kept on giving crucial breakthroughs which did the job for his team.
Chasing a paltry 145, DMCC bowlers gave their best and did not allow WNS to win easily. It was a close match till the very end as WNS eventually crossed the victory line by just 2wkts in hand. WNS chased down the score in 33overs with S Jaiswal and A Khan top scoring with 42runs each at the middle order.
All in all WNS continue their winning streak qualifying for the finals of the prestigious Times Shield on the back of great teamwork while Aditya impresses with the ball and delivers at the right time.
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Young Comrade Shield Tournament has always been a building block and one of the most distinguished platforms at local cricket for cricketers to perform and you get to see numerous exciting talents emerging out from the tournament as well as some nail biting matches. Hence here are some of the latest updates from the matches which were played on Saturday-Sunday.
Fort Vijay CC vs Parsee Gymkhana
Played at the Parsee Gymkhana in Marine lines, Fort Vijay CC won the toss and elected to bat first. However, Fort Vijay CC were struggling at one point on 14/4 but Neelkanth Parab brought the momemtum back with an aggressive 47ball 65 alongiwth a 139run stand with Sanket. That was not all as the talented duo of Sanket Bhaye and Pankaj jaiswal smashed tons at the middle order with a strong partnership. While Sanket smashed a superlative 110 off 130balls (15fours), Pankaj on the other hand scored a very solid looking 107 off 119balls which were laced with 9fours and 6sixes. Both the batsman looked thoroughly impressive as they mixed elegance with controlled aggression.
However, Parsee Gymkhana displayed their might chasing down the score in 61.2 overs and winning the match by just 6wkts on the back of terrific start given by their experienced Bravish Shetty. Bravish who opened the innings scored an enterprising 92ball 117 while Ashay Sardesai(57), Nikhil Patil(55*) and Manish Rao (50*) chipped in with match winning half centuries.
Match Result- Parsee Gymkhana won the match by wkts
Highlight Perfomance- Sanket Bhaye 9110), Pankaj Jaiswal (107), Bravish Shetty (119)
Apollo CC vs MIG CC
Played vs MIG on their homeground, Apollo CC won the toss and elected to bat first and were all out for 233/10 69.2 overs. Opener Aman Jain scored a solid 70 off 145balls but the rest of the batsman failed to convert their starts. Left-arm spinner Vijaykumar Gohil was the pick of the bowler taking 3/57 in 24.2 overs.
MIG CC chased down the score in 50.4 overs and they were not allowed to win easily as they also 8wkts on their way. Opener Karan Sonawale who has had a good season so far impressed with a yet another impressive 52 off 63balls (8fours, 1six) while Siddarth Chitnis at the middle order was the 2nd highest scorer with 48runs.
Match Result– MIG CC won the match by 2wkts
Highlight Perfomance- Karan Sonawale(52), Siddarth (48), Vijaykumar Gohil(3wkts)
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Under-19 Champions Cricket by Nidhi Sports Academy
It was the all important final encounter between NSA Heroes and Titans Cricket Academy where in Titans CA won the toss and elected to bat first on a track which had some support for the batsman too.
Batting first, Titans CA managed to score only 99/9 in 20overs on the back of some really tight bowling. Tejas Desmukh and Kaushal Santra were the highest scorers with 20 and 17runs. From the bowlers Ninad Rasal (8/2), Preet Nanda (2/14) and Prathamesh Kulkarni (1/6) being the pick of the bowlers with their tight bowling.
NSA Heroes chased down the score successfully on the back of a quick 28 off 21balls which had 2sixes. Rugved More also gave a helping hand scoring 21runs. NSA Heroes won the match by 2wkts and chased down the score in 19.2 overs winning the finals and lifting the trophy.
NSA won by 2wkts and Kunal Todwalkar was declared ‘man of the match’
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Hindustan Times have been one strong team who have performed really well throughout this Times Tournament. They have one of the most balanced teams and it has been difficult to get the better of them in this year’s edition. In the all important semi-finals vs CIPLA at the New Hind Ground, Matunga, CIPLA won the toss and elected to field first.
Unaware of the batting depth and strength of HT, the batters showed them that their decision to bowl first was not the best of the decisions. Opening the innings Swapnil Bivalkar went on to score a massive hundred smashing 170 off mere 112balls. It was pure carnage and dissemination of the bowlers as he plonked a record 11sixes which is the highest by an batsman in an innings in this year’s Times Shield(any division). Swapnil coupled it with 11fours while also stitched a match winning 230run stand with the rock solid Vaibhav Patil who continued his purple patch smashing his 2nd back to back ton. Vaibhav at no.4 scored an effortless and a graceful 101 off 83balls with 12fours and 4sixes taking the team total to a very competitive 377/6 in 45overs. It was a batting feast displayed by these two as they took the game away single handedly.
Defending 378 in 45 overs, CIPLA were bundled out for 134runs in 26.5 overs with Vaibhav Patil also being the pick of the bowlers taking 4/25 in 9overs while Kunal Nikam and Umesh Gaurav taking 2wkts a piece.
Hindustan Times wins the semi-finals once again in a dominating manner by 254runs as promising young lad Vaibhav Patil and attacking opener Swapnil Bivalkar taking the centerstage.
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Kanga Knockout matches this summer have been simply fantastic with some great individual performances and nail biting matches. Kanga leagues over the years have been a breeding ground in cricket and it’s a platform which not only gives a platform for players to perform but it also hones the skills of every cricketer under tough pitch conditions. Here are the latest updates-
Mulund Challengers CC vs Bhatia CC
Played at the BMC Sports Club, Mulund Challengers CC won the toss and elected to bat first. The top order suffered a collapse apart from Farhan Shaikh’s 46 but it was Rahul Kanojiya at no.7 who scored a match winning knock of 54 off 57balls smashing 7fours and pushing the team total to 244/10 in 37.5 overs. In reply, Bhatia CC were bundled out for 134runs where in R Vijay and Chirag Sachdev took 3 and 2wkts each. Mulund Challengers CC won the match and it was surely Rahul who stood out in the matcg with his solid half century.
ERRANT Cricket vs Youth’s Own Union CC
Played at the Cross Maidan, Youth’s own union CC won the toss and elected to field first. Their decisions seemed to be spot on as they restricted Errant Cricket Team to just 116runs all out. Off-spinner Vishal Kamble bowled a fantastic match winning spell taking 4/25 in 9 overs. He also got good support from left arm spinner Subesh Singh who took 2/10 in 9overs with 4 maidens. Both the bowlers were impressive and eventuallu Youth’s own union CC won the match on the back of their skipper Nikhil Bare’s unbeaten half century off 75balls (8fours).
Young Men Muslim Association vs Young Association Cricket Club
Played at the Karnatak Cross Maidan, Young Men Muslim Assn. batting first made 102/10 in 26.5 overs on the back of terrific bowling by the bowlers. Left arm spinner Suraj Solanki with 3/15 was impressive being the pick of the bowlers while Karan Hatkar who opened the innings while chasing for Young Association CC took on the bowlers with his attacking batting giving a great start with a 24ball 41 smashing 7fours and a six. Eventually Young Association CC won the match by 7wkts in mere 14.3 overs on the back of his blazing 41.
United CC vs Swatantra CC
Swatantra CC batting first were all out for 145runs on the back of great bowling by Shubham Gaikwad. Shubham bowled at impressive line and length taking 4wkts with the ball as gave crucial breakthroughs. Chasing 146, United CC won the match by 3wkts as they chased down the score in 33.1 overs on the back of Vishal Durge’s match winning 46balls 56 which had 7fours and 2sixes. United CC who were 77/5 at one point won the match on the back of Vishal’s match winning half century!
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The last week of the Friendship Cup Tournament was nothing less than a roller coaster ride with some amazing matches and some great individual performances which won the hearts of many. Here are the latest updates from the Friendship Cup Tournament ’18
FRIENDSHIP TROPHY 2018
APRIL 8, SUNDAY MATCHES
1st Match – 9 AM – 11.30 AM – FCC PHANTOMS vs WARRIORS CC
In the 1st match played at the Asahi Glass ltd, taloja, Warriors CC won the toss and elected to bat first. They did a good job batting first as they notched up 132/7 in 15overs which is a very good total. Opener Sameer chipped in with 34 while is was Rohit Shirgaonkar at no.3 who played a blazing knock of 46 off just 32balls which pushed the team towards a big score. In reply, FCC Phantoms were reduced to just 122/7 with Rugved top scoring with a valiant 49. Warriors CC won the match by 20runs and Rohit was certainly declared ‘man of the match’
MoM – Rohit Shirgaonkar
2nd Match – 11.45 AM – 2.15 PM – DATAFRIENDS vs CRICKET CLUB OF DOMBIVLI
In the 2nd match, CCD won the toss and elected to field first considering their previous win while chasing. Datafriends batting first made 115/7 in 15overs with Devendra being the pick of the bowlers with bowling figures of 3/22 in 3overs. CCD once again showed they are the master of chases as they successfully sealed the chase in 13.5 overs. Aniket Desai smashed a brutal 23ball 46 which had 3sixes and 2fours to change the game his CCD’s favor. It was on the back of his blazing 46, CCD won the match by 3wkts.
MoM – Aniket Desai
3rd Match – 3 PM – 5.30 PM – SIEMENS vs MULUND EXCEL
In the 3rd match at the same ground, Siemens won the toss and elected to bat first. Almost every batsman chipped in with quick contributions but it was Jayesh Khungar at no.3 who continued his good start and converted it into a solid half century smashing 60runs of 44balls which had 7fours and 2sixes. Simens reached a total of 150/5 in 15overs which is a great total to defend. Mulund Excel gave a tough fight managing to reach 131/6 but they eventually fell short by 19runs in a high scoring encounter. It was a entertaining match where in Jayesh was rightly declared ‘man of the match’
MOM – Jayesh Khungar
If last week’s matches are anything to go by, this weekend is going to be an exciting one too!
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Friendship Cup Cricket Tournament since years has been an able platform for cricketers to perform at their very best. Every weekend some exciting matches and individual performances are witnessed and here are some of the latest updates on the tournament.
FRIENDSHIP TROPHY 2018
1st Match- 9 AM – 11.30 AM -FCC SMASHERS vs CRICKET CLUB OF DOMBIVLI
Played at the Asahi Glass ltd. FCC smashers who have a good batting line up elected to bat first after winning the toss, Batting first, FCC made a decent total of 115/4 in 15 overs where the top order collapsed but Ashish at no.5 scored a fantastic 51 off 29balls(4fours,4sixes) to resurrect the innings. CCD bowlers did a good job with every bowler chipping in with wicket. Chasing 116, CCD won the match comfortably on the back of Santosh Gole’s blazing 21ball 43* which had 3fours and 3sixes which changed the script of the game. Eventually CCD won the match by 5wkts and Santosh was right declared man of the match.
MoM – Santosh Gole
2nd Match – 11.45 AM – 2.15 PM -SIEMENS vs WARRIORS CC
Played at the same ground, Warriors CC won the toss and elected to field first looking at CCD’s chasing perfomance. Warriors CC batting first made a very healthy total of 126/8 in 15 overs as Jayesh K at the middle order played a crucial hand with a quick 43. Defending a total of 126, Siemens almost clinched the victory line falling just 5runs short of what could have been a great win. However, Gurudas Bate’s match winning spell of 4/13 in 3 overs ensured his team Warriors CC were in the game and helped his team clinch a victory. Gurudas bowled really tight and was impressive which eventually helped him earn man of the match.
MoM – Gurudas Bate
3rd Match – 3 PM – 5.30 PM – SHM ULHASNAGAR vs INDIA FIRST INSURANCE
In the 3rd match played at evening on the same ground, IFI won the toss and elected to field first and little did they knew on the havoc which was about to hit them. SHM Ulhasnagar made a massive total of 169/6 in 15 overs with their top order batsman firing with quick 30’s while Sagar Matani at no.7 giving the finishing touch smashing an entertaining 46* off just 23balls which had 7fours and 2sixes. In reply, IFI were all out for 96runs where in every bowler bowled tight while also chipped in with wickets. All-rounder Sagar was also handy with the ball bagging 2wkts. SHM Ulhasnagar won the match by 73runs and Sagar was declared ‘man of the match’
MoM – Sagar Matani
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Played between two really promising teams namely ASF & Achievers, Achievers won the toss and elected to bowl first at the Bengal Cricket Club, Shivaji Park which had some due for the bowlers too trouble the batsman.
ASF team batting first made 234/9 in 40 overs which is a very decent total to defend. Despite a poor start by the openers, Musheer Khan at no.3 and Omar at no.4 played fighting knocks of 75 and 41 respectively. Musheer who faced 86balls smashed 6fours while Omar smashed 3fours in his 45ball knock. The bowlers did a nice job of bowling tight with Anurag and Anil being the pick of the bowlers taking 2wkts each.
Chasing 235 in 40 overs is not tough but not easy either if defended properly by the bowlers. ASF gave a good start removing two openers of Achievers but Hitesh who came at no.3 played a match winning knock of 88 off just 69balls smashing 7fours while he also got excellent support from Nihal Joshi who came at no.4. Nihal also scored 55 off 40balls which had 5fours in it. Both the batters looked terrific as they single handedly steered the chase. Mangesh remained unbeaten on 26* with Vishal (6*) sealing off the chase in 34.2 overs.
Achievers won the finals by 4wkts and lift the prestigious trophy on the back of Hitesh and Nihal. In the awards ceremony Sharvay who was literally a run machine for Titans was declared the ‘Best Batsman” while Vinod Bhanushali from ASF team was declared the ‘best bowler’ while 9yr old promising wicket keeper Abhigyan kunda from Asf team got the special award from Praveen tambe.
It was all in all a successful tournament with great individual performances and some nail biting matches while the tournament also gave youngsters a platform to perform!
Awards Ceremony- Kaustubh Pawar along with Pravin Tambe being the chief guest.
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Played between KPCA and Salgaonkar Cricket Academy at the Bengal Cricket Club, Shivaji Park, it was a crucial 40 over clash between two really promising teams where in Salgaonkar CA won the toss and elected to bat first on a dicey track.
Salgaonkar CA batting first made 203/8 in 40 overs which is a decent total but not an intimidating one if you have a strong batting line up to chase it down! None of the batsman converter their starts with Vrishin and Vaibhav at the middle order being the top scorers with their respective 30’s. From the bowlers, Yatin with 3/17 was impressive being the pick of the bowlers while Sankesh & Nawaz bagging two wickets each.
Chasing 204 in 240 deliveries is most of the times achievable and surely when you have attacking batsman like Sagar Shah at the middle order. Despite a sluggish start by KPCA at the top of the order, Sagar Shah who came at no.4 anchored the innings going to smash a brutal 113* off just 82balls smashing 15fours. Sagar who has already scored some stunning hundreds in T20 cricket showed that he can be a big asset in the longer format of the game too as he single handedly steered the chase with all-rounder Yatin remaining not out on 35* off 29balls.
KPCA won the match by 7wkts and Sagar Shah was declared man of the match for his crucial 113*. Yatin was also impressive in the match with 3wkts and 35*.
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Played at Payyade Cricket Ground in Kandivali, it was the all important finals between two really talented teams of Kandivali Cricket namely Halai Lohana Mahajan Mumbai and KSG Champions where in KSG Champions won the toss and elected to field first.
HLMM batting first made a decent total of 148/6 in 20overs where in despite a shaky start at the top of the order, Kushal Thakkar and Parth Rughani tried getting their team back into the game smashing 46 and 30* respectively. Kushal who smashed 46runs faced only 25balls smashing 5fours and 2sixes while Parth facing 21balls hitting 3fours and a six.
Chasing 149, KSG Champions were off to a solid start and Maulik Mehta who has certainly become one of the most feared batsmen in this tournament once again pounced on the good start left behind by the openers smashing a match winning 62* off 37balls(7fours,3sixes). Maulik dismantled the bowlers and changed the momentum immediately while Parth Mathuria also gave good support with his 22ball 30.
KSG Champions eventually won the game by 6wkts and 1.3overs to spare and Maulik was declared the ‘man of the match’. For obvious reasons, the attacking all-rounder was also declared the ‘best batsman in the tournament’
Maulik Mehta’s fantastic run in the KSG Tournament 2017-18
Matches-10
50’s-4
100’s-2
Batting Average-94.00
Runs-752-
Strike Rate-209.47
Boundaries- 88fours & 39sixes
Wkts-14
In T20’s-
Matches- 9
Runs-313
Average– 39.13
Boundaries-34fours and 15sixes
30’s-3
50’s-2
Strike Rate– 173.89
Wkts-6
What an all-rounder indeed- A total of 1065runs in 19matches at an average of 59.16 & a strike rate of 192.00 along with 20wkts!
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