There are players who score runs, there are players who take wickets and then there are legends who single handedly dominate the match with one man show and Prithvi Khakhar gave a glimpse to the world about his cricketing abilities not only top scoring with the bat but also being the pick of the bowler in the same match.
Played between HT Media and Mumbai Fire Brigade at Sundar CC, Cross Maidan, it was HT Media who won the toss and elected to bat first on the back of their strong batting line up. However, Mumbai Fire Brigade bowlers did a commendable job restricting the promising batting line up of HT Media to a very low total of 158 all out in 38overs. Right-handed opener Prithvi Khakhar top scored with 61runs off 93balls smashing 5fours and a six and playing an anchor’s role surviving at one end while the wickets were falling from the other end. Prithvi stabilized the innings with Vaibhav with a crucial partnership and got out as the third last batsman. From the bowlers, Prashant D was the pick of the bowlers with 3wkts while Rupesh Naik also taking 2wkts.
Defending a meagre total of 158, all-rounder and right arm fast bowler Prithvi Khakhar ripped apart through Mumbai Fire Brigade’s top order taking 5/26 in 9overs. Prithvi bowled really tight with perfect accuracy as he got 2 catches in the slip cordon in the 5 wickets that he took while one was clean bowled. Off-spinner Vaibhav Patil also bowled well taking the last three wickets.
Mumbai Fire Brigade were all-out for 68runs in 19.4overs as HT Media clinched a thumping win by 90runs on the back of great all-round show by Prithvi Khakhar and good support by Vaibhav Patil.
CRICKETGRAPH
Held at the PJ Hindu Gymkhana, two of most promising teams at present Parkophene Cricketers and PJ Hindu Gymkhana took on each other where in Parkophene Cricketers who have a strong batting line up elected to bat first.
Despite having a strong batting line up, Parkophene Cricketers made a moderate total of 209runs all out in 54.5 overs. Right-handed opener Suved Parkar who has been consistent this season continued his solid batting top scoring with an anchoring knock of 87runs in 132balls smashing 12fours in it. Apart from the 2nd highest score in the team was 26 as none of the batsman fired against the tight bowling of PJ Hindu Gymkhana bowlers. Dhruv Vaghasiya, Sahcin Katkar and Pratik Desai chipped in with 2wkts each while off-spinner Pawan Kumar was the pick of the bowler taking 3/41 in 15.5 overs.
PJ Hindu Gymkhana were off to a shaky start struggling at 5/56 but Sachin Katkar top scored with 54runs at the lower middle order. However, that hard fought innings was not enough as they were all out for 137runs. The bowlers did an extremely good job of defending such a low total as left-arm spinner Shams Mulani took a match winning spell of 4/40 in 14overs while Harmeetsingh Badhan also bowled really well taking 3/18 with his left arm spin. Both the spinners attacked in tandem as Parkophene Cricketers won the match by 72runs.
It was a match where Parkophene boys gave a nice fight where in Suved once again impressed everyone with the bat while Shams and Harmeet doing their job with the ball.
CRICKETGRAPH
Played at the Islam Gymkhana Ground, it was the all-important clash between two really promising and young teams namely Bohra Cricket Club and Bombay Gymkhana where in Bombay Gymkhana won the toss and elected to field first.
Bombay Gymkhana batting first did make much of an impact as they managed to score only a modest total of 136/5 in 20 overs which is most of the times chaseable. Harshad Singha and Sufiyan Chauhan chipped in with 30’s but that did not seem to be enough as the rest of the batsman found it hard to loosen up their arms. From the bowlers it was Prashant Patil who was the pick of the bowlers coming up with very impressive bowling figures of 3/8 in 4 overs which is quite commendable in a T20 match. Prashant was spot on and economic with the ball while the rest of boys also successfully restricted the batsman not allowing them to score runs freely.
Chasing 137, Bohra CC were struggling at one point on 4/17 in 3.5 overs and a win from here was rather difficult. However, Jehnagir Chauhan who came at no.3 smashed a brutal 38ball 63 which had 5fours and 3sixes which kept his team’s hopes afloat. Jehangir was hitting the ball really well and was playing with confidence despite his team losing quick wickets while Ritik Sharma at no.5 played the anchors role scoring 41 off 45balls which eventually pushed Bohra CC to a win by 3wkts in 19.2 overs. Prashant Patil’s contribution was equally crucial with the bat too as he chipped in with a match winning 5ball 18* when 25runs were needed in the last 12balls which sealed the deal for Bohra CC.
It was a match where Bohra CC boys dominated right from the front and Prashant with the ball while Jehangir and Ritik with the bat stood out with their individual performances.
CRICKETGRAPH
Played between Payyade SC and Souvenir CC at the Islam Gymkhana ground, it was a crucial encounter between two talented teams where in Payyade Gymkhana won the toss and elected to field first since they have a good bowling line up.
Made to bat first, Souvenir CC did a fairly good job with their experienced opener Shoaib Shaikh giving a good start with 28ball 49 while the talented Nikhil Aigaonkar’s late blitz down the order accelerated the team’s total total to a respectable 140/7 in 20 overs. Nikhil against a quality bowling attack of Payade SC smashed an unbeaten 21ball 40*hitting 4fours and 2sixes much to everyone’s delight. Payyade bowlers did a really good job with almost everyone chipping in with wickets while Deepak Shetty being the pick of the bowlers with 3/27 in 4overs.
Chasing 141, the strong batting line up of Payyade who were 23/3 at one point ensured the chase was taken care off as their in-form big hitting left hander Neil Narvekar went on to score a match winning 35ball 54(5fours, 2sixes) while also a crucial 100runs stand with Usaid Cutlerywala who remained unbeaten with Harmeet Singh(17*) scoring an unbeaten 48* off 45balls which included 2big sixes and a four. Usaid was calm and composed while Neil on the other hand gave that much needed push while chasing eventually helping Payyade SC win by a comfortable margin of 6wkts & 1.5 overs to spare. From Souvenir CC, Saurab Satelkar bowled really well and was quite impressive with the ball taking 4/33 in 4overs.
It was a dominating win for Payyade boys where in the bowlers contributed well with the ball while Neil and Usaid did the job for their team with the bat while chasing.
CRICKETGRAPH
Played at the Western Railways, Cross Maidan, it was a 3rd round crucial clash between DMCC & Sun Pharma CC where in DMCC who have a strong bowling line up elected to bowl first and restrict the opposition to a low total.
Their decision to bowl first was quite spot on as Sun Pharma CC were reduced to just 73runs all out in 20 overs. Speedster Mehboob Shaikh who has been taking wickets for DMCC consistenly and has become their pace spearhead once again showed how dangerous he can be with the ball as he ripped through the batting line up of Sun Pharma taking a scorching 5/24 in 7overs which eventually restricted them to a meagre total. Mehboob is improving leaps and bounds with his accuracy and its showing on the field when he is performing while Jagdish Jadhav and Shobit Shetty also bowled well scalping 2wkts each.
Chasing 74, DMCC’s very own version of Sehwag-opener Shaban Shaikh who has throughout the season played aggressive cricket and has given good starts made a mockery of the bowlers once again smashing a 24ball 50 hitting 9fours in it. Shaban by far smashed the fastest half century of this year’s Times Shield as DMCC won the match by 9wkts in mere 6.5 overs on the back of his exclusive & enterprising batting.
It was a commendable win for DMCC who are progressing really well in the tournament while Mehboob once again stood out with the ball while opener Shaban did the job while chasing.
CRICKETGRAPH
While Rakesh Naik needs no introduction now, he has been consistently scoring runs as well as taking wicket in all formats at all levels in cricket which has made him one of the most dependable all-rounders, young Prathamesh is also one all-rounder to reckon with as he can be a really dangerous customer both with the bat as well as with the ball and a few days ago this two together reminded us of Kumble-Harbhajan as both the players cleaned up the opposition’s batting line up taking 10 wkts among themselves.
Played at the Cross Maidan between K.R.P XI CC and Prabhodhan Sports Club Goregaon, Prabodhan SC who batted first were bundled out for meagre 69runs all-out as both the spinners Prathamesh and Rakesh wrecked havoc over the batsman. Left-arm spinner Prathamesh captivated everyone’s attention with a match winning bowling spell taking a stunning 5/7 in 8.3 overs while his counterpart Rakesh was also equally potent with the ball taking 5/26 in 9overs with 3maidens. Both the bowlers did a tremendous job of bowling in the right areas while taking wickets at regular intervals not allowing any batsman to settle. Prathamesh was really in a different zone as some of his deliveries were completely unplayable which fetched him amazing bowling figures.
Chasing a paltry 70, Rakesh Naik who is known for his fearless batting came up the order opening the innings smashing an unbeaten 44* off mere 19balls(4fours, 4sixes) with Jatin Shelke (22* off 18) to seal the chase in style.
KRP XI won the match by 10wkts and it was a clean whitewash where in Rakesh and Prathamesh stood out with the ball.
CRICKETGRAPH
For a young prodigy to deliver in the finals which is full of pressure takes a lot to perform and it certainly tests your skills, resistance level and patience to perform at crunch situations and Times Shield is one such prestigious tournament where teams from different corners of Mumbai come and give their best. It also provides a platform to showcase your skills and get noticed and when you are playing in the finals of such tournament, it is itself a success and a big deal for youngsters like Atharva who delivered with flying colors in the finals.
The finals was played at the MIG CC, Cross Maidan where in Nanavati who have performed brilliantly throughout the tournament had to take on the promising team of Route Mobile. Route Mobile who were batting first were reduced to just 213runs all out in 60.3 overs as Nanavati bowlers did a very nice job. Route Batsman got off to starts but they were not able to convert it into big scores which eventually made them all out for a low total. From Route Mobile, their no.3 batsman Saeed Shaikh was the highest scorer with a hard fought 68 off 124balls. Left-arm spinner Atharva Ankolekar was the pick of the bowler taking 4/55 while Ashish G and Rahul Sawant also bowled well.
Chasing 214, Nanavati boys ensured they chased it down successfully despite a patchy start when they were struggling at 39/4 at one point. However, their all-rounder Atharva Ankolekar top scored with the bat scoring 73* off 135balls(7fours) which was purely an anchoring knock steering the chase. Bhushan Shinde also showed his experience with the bat as he also came with a splendid knock of 56 off 79balls and stitching a 104run stand with Atharva. Eventually, Pratik Panade gave the finishing touch to the chase with his 40* supporting Atharva to win the match by 4wkts.
Team Nanavati lift the Times Shield ‘C’ Div Trophy in a commanding manner and it was surely Atharva who stood out with his all-round brilliance while the entire team including Bhushan Shinde and Pratik Panade gave crucial contributions.
CRICKETGRAPH
Played at the Police Gymkhana Ground, it was the all important finale of the Pulse Tournament where in Reliance and RBL Bank took on each other for a knockout where in RBL who won the toss elected to bat first with an aim of making a big target in the 1st innings.
However, their decision to bat first seemed to be a bit risky as RBL only managed to score a average total of 125/6 in 20 overs which is definitely not the best of the totals too defend. Opener Ravi Parmar played a valiant knock of 68 in 61balls (3fours, 4sixes) as he was the lone warrior from RBL. The bowlers really bowled tight not allowing anyone to score runs freely. From Reliance, Chetan Suvarma was the pick of the bowlers taking 3/31 in 4overs while the rest of the bowlers also gave a good support.
Chasing 126 in a T20 and that too in the finals is not something Reliance need to worry about. Reliance’s opener Ravi Vishwakarma anchored the chase with a quick 52* coming off just 30balls to take the game away from RBL’s hands. Ravi just dealt in boundaries as he smashed 10fours in his match winning half century. Navin Patil also scored a quick 32 consisting of 5fours and 1six.
Eventually, Reliance completed the chase in mere 11.4 overs and won the match by 7wkts. Team Reliance win the all important finals and lift the trophy while Ravindra Vishwakarma was adjudged ‘man of the match’
CRICKETGRAPH
Two really promising teams namely Anushakti Nagar CC and K.R.P XI took on each other at the MB Union, Cross Maidan where in Anushakti Nagar CC won the toss and elected to bat first as the wicket had something for the batsman to make a big total and put KRP XI under pressure.
Batting first, Anushakti Nagar CC boys were bundled out for 159/10 in 44 overs as hardly any batsman succeeded in converting their starts to a big total with Darshan Adarkar at no.5 top scoring with 35runs. KRP XI bowlers did an excellent job with the ball with Prathamesh Golatkar being the pick of the bowler with 4/29 in 9overs (1maiden). Prathamesh who is an experienced left arm spinner ensured he bowled tight in the right areas which reaped rewards for him as well as his team. He also got good support from off-spinner Sandeep Naik who took 3/27 in 9overs and Sanket Yashwante who took 2/25 in 9overs. The spinners did an excellent job as all the three bowled in tandem.
Chasing 160, KRP XI were at one point 72/4 with Tushar Tiwari scoring 33 of them opening the innings but it was their all-rounder Prathamesh Golatkar came up with a crucial 47 off just 38balls which pushed his team towards a successful chase. Prathamesh smashed 5fours and 2sixes which brought his team back into the game while Jayesh Mohite finished off the chase with an unbeaten 29*.
KRP XI won the match by 4wkts and it was purely a great team perfomance put by all of them while Prathamesh stood out with his all-round show.
CRICKETGRAPH
WNS & Viacom 18 took on each other for the all important finals at the MB Union, Cross Maidan where in Viacom 18 won the toss and elected to bat first with an aim of making a big 1st innings total to put the opposition under pressure.
However, Viacom 18 did not manage to make much of an impact batting first as they were restricted to just 116 runs all out in 18.5 overs. The bowlers did an excellent job and especially Harshad Mahulkar and Ajinkya D who took 7wkts between themselves. Harshad was spot on with the ball bowling in the right areas coming up with excellent bowling figures of 4/14 in 2.5overs. Ajinky was equally impressive taking 3/28 in 4overs. WNS bowlers did not allow anyone to score runs freely neither did they allow anyone to settle in.
Chasing 117 was a mere formality for the promising WNS team as they chased down the score in mere 14.2 overs. WNS finished of the chase with 117/4 with 5.4 overs to spare as they won the finals in a commanding manner by 6wkts.
It was a match dominated by WNS right from the start where in all the boys contributed in their capacity while Harshad stood out with his match-winning spell which also earned him ‘man of the match’
CRICKETGRAPH