There are just so many batsmen doing good at the local level in India that the pool of cricketing talent in India is the richest amongst all the countries. Here you will find hidden unpolished diamonds waiting to get explored on the smallest of opportunities they get and one of them is surely Shashank Singh who has displayed tremendous amount of capabilities with the bat. Shashank has had a wonderful season so far and has excelled in almost every match and tournament he has got to play. Quite evident from his current form where he has notched up 3 tons including a double ton in a span of last 4weeks in just 4innings.
His most recent outing was against MIG CC at DY Patil ground in Nerul where in his team DY Patil won the toss and elected to bat first. Batting first, DY Patil notched up a big total of 436/7 in 70 overs as their in-form opener Shashank Singh played a swashbuckling innings of 237 off mere 205balls. His way of batting in the longer format certainly reminds us of Nathan Astle and Sehwag who would bat in the same way. Right-handed Shashank single handedly demolished the bowlers smashing 22fours and as many as 12 big hits to enthrall his team mates and the spectators alike. All-rounder Shoaib Shaikh and another batsman who is also in very good touch Shubham Ranjane also smashed fifties in the middle which came in handy.
On the other hand MIG CC were bundled out for 178 runs where in their solid top order bat Kevin Almeida once again stood out with an aggressive 56 while experienced Gaurav Jathar at the middle order also fought well with his unbeaten 56*. All-rounder Abhishek Nayar who is one of the biggest names in domestic circuit grabbed 4wkts for just 8runs stamping his authority. DY Patil won the match by 258 runs and it was Shashank’s dominating 237 which took the game away from MIG Cricket club.
Shashank’s last 3 hundreds in 4 innings-
1st hundred 129* against Parsee Gymkhana in Purshottam Shield pre-quarters
2nd hundred 126 against Payyade cc in Police shield finals.
3rd double hundred 237 against MIG CC in quarters of Purshottam Shield
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While Akhil is known to an aggressive top order batsman who loves to take on the bowlers rather than settling down, Vikrant on the other hand also displayed his elegance with a flawless ton which included some great shots. Both the batsman were a feast to the eyes as they batted beautifully together at the Karnatak Sporting Association, Cross Maidan.
Payyade SC who won the toss elected to bat first since they have a good batting line up. Their decision proved to be spot on as they notched up a big total of 404/7 in 70 overs. Left-handed opener Akhil Herwadkar smashed a brilliant 127 off 148balls which included 17fours and 2sixes to develop the positive momentum right from the start. Left-handed Vikrant auti who came in at no.3 continued the positive momentum created by Akhil as both the batsman stitched a great partnership of 211runs which solidified the Payyade innings. Vikrant went on to score a classy 179 off just 181balls (20fours, 1six) at healthy strike rate of almost 100 keeping the scorecard ticking. Both the batsman also did good running between the wickets and especially Vikrant whose 93runs came in running.
In reply, Karnatak SA were bundled out for just 142 runs where in no.3 Eknath Kerkar once again top scored with 61 and displayed solid batting at a time when his mates were getting out from the other end. Eknath continued his good run with the bat though his team struggled this time. Medium pacer Harmeetsingh Baddhan was the pick of the bowlers as he came up with impressive bowling figures of 5/79 in 15.5 overs. Payyade SC won the match by a heavy margin of 262 runs and it was definitely Akhil, Vikrant with the bat and Harmeet with the ball who stood out with their great individual performances. Also this is talented Vikrant’s 3rd consecutive ton where in two came in times shield. With the form Vikrant is, he is certainly looking set have a great journey ahead in cricket.
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This year’s cosmopolitan shield has witnessed some great performances and more than that some terrific matches too. A lot of players have emerged out to be stars from this tournament with their performances as this has been a nice platform for cricketers to showcase their skills. Hence Cricketgraph brings the latest updates from the ongoing Cosmopolitan Shield Tournament 2017.
In the match between Jolly Bros CC and Star Cricket Club at Young Zorastrian, Azad Maidan, Jolly Bros won the toss and elected to field first. Batting first, Star CC made 352/3 in 42 overs where in right handed opener Prathamesh Chavan scored 108 off 101balls (15fours, 1six). Prathamesh hardly wasted any time at the crease and took on the bowlers with confidence. Chavan also got a stable partner in Suyog Godbole at no.3 who scored 113 off 109 deliveries (8fours, 4sixes). Left-handed Suyog also played some great shots and kept the scoreboard ticking. Both these batsmen also stitched a 195run stand which solidified their innings. Defending a big total of 352, Jolly Bros could not live up to the chase as they only managed to reach 295/7. Sumeir Zaveri at no.4 played a gem of an innings as he fought single-handedly to score an unbeaten 106* off just 85balls which included 5fours and as many as 7big hits. Even though Jolly Bros lost the match, Sumeir proved to be really impressive along with Prathamesh and Suyog.
In the other match between Rajasthan & Evergreen Sports Club at Youth’s own union, cross maidan, Rajasthan won the toss and elected to bat first scoring a healthy total of 249/9 in 45overs. Middle order bat Chinmay Madye scored a solid 65 (3fours, 1six) top scoring the innings while the rest of the batsman were not able to convert their starts. Chinmay looked confident as he smashed good shots while Sanket was the pick of the bowlers with 3wkts. In reply Evergreen SC were all out for 209runs where in Naeem(59) & Ashutosh(41) top scored while Manesh Bhogale and Girish were the pick of the bowlers taking 3wkts each.
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Played at the Karnatak Sporting Association, it was a match single handedly dominated by Income Tax Sports & Recreation club where in team Reliance Energy faced a mammoth total to chase after losing the toss and made to bowl first.
Batting first, Income Tax Club notched up a big total of 642/9 in 97 overs in the 1st innings. Income Tax were at one point struggling at 50/3 but Parth Shah who came in at no.4 resurrected the innings back scoring a quick 92 off 90balls (15fours), Parth’s batting changed the momentum into his team’s favor and eventually middle order batsman Himanshu Joshi perfectly capitalized on it. Himanshu who came in at no.6 went on to score a brilliant 161 at a healthy strike rate of 80+ which included 14fours and a six. That was not all as the real show as yet to come! Reliance energy were least aware on the storm which was about to hit them. Aggressive Rohit Dahiya who came in at no.7 stunned the spectators with a majestic double ton top scoring the innings with a flawless 203. Himanshu also stitched a epic 319run stand with Rohit which eventually took their team to a mammoth total. Rohit who scored 203 smashed 22fours and 6sixes and was a pure treat to the eyes. In fact their 319 run stand reminded us of Dravid-Laxman doing that when they were at their prime in Tests.
Chasing such a big total, Reliance Energy were skittled out for just 200runs in their 1st innings. The main person who was responsible for that damage was their right arm fast bowler Amol Jungade who came with terrific match winning bowling figures of 6/38 in 17 overs(4maidens). Amol bowled really well with some great line and length which reaped results. Reliance Energy were given a follow on where in they lost 2wkts in the 2nd innings before the end of the game’s play where Income Tax Sports & Recreation Club won the match in a commanding manner. It was a match dominated by them while Rohit and Himanshu’s 319run stand remained the highlight of the match.
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Played at the Payyade Cricket Ground, it was the all important finals between two teams who have worked hard to pave their way towards the finals namely- KSG Challengers and KSG Aces where in KSG Aces won the toss and elected to field first.
Batting first, KSG Challengers were all out 212 in 31.1 overs. Had they batted the full quota they would have crossed 250-260 run mark quite easily. KSG Challengers were 4/85 at one point with the top order giving starts but not able to convert it but it was Snehal Mehta who came in at no.7 and smashed a much important 63 off 56balls which helped his team cross the 200run mark. Snehal smashed 8fours and a six to keep the scorecard ticking. Tushar Gandhi with 3/12 was the pick of the bowlers while the rest of the bowlers also did a decent job.
Chasing 213, KSG Challengers gave a brilliant fightback with the ball as they skittled out KSG Aces for 175runs in 35.4 overs. The star batsman from the last match was the star bowler in the finals as all rounder Maulik Mehta was the pick of the bowlers with 4/35 in 7 overs. KSG Challengers lift the trophy as they win the finals by 27runs where in Snehal Mehta was declared ‘man of the match’. Maulik Mehta with 399runs and 8wkts in the series so far was declared the ‘best bowler’ and ‘man of the series’ while Saumil Vora was declared the ‘best batsman’ The tournament was quite a success with some brilliant matches and individual perfomances.
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The mumbai cricket association recently published the list of players who cleared the level O coaching. Cricketgraph team spoke to one of the cricketers Arun Yadav who cleared the level o coaching to understand the nuances of the exam.
A 25-year old from Airoli successfully cleared the MCA’s (Mumbai Cricket Association) level O coaching examination just a few weeks back. Arun Yadav, who currently plays for D.Y.Patil secured a B+ grade, meaning, he scored between 40 and 45 (out of 50) in the exam.
The level O coaching exam is supposed to be stepping stone to become a certified cricket coach. A good mix of theory and practical application, the level O examination is a reputed test and almost acts like a prerequisite to become a coach. For instance, a practical question like “How do you mark your stance as a wicket-keeper for a fast bowler and a spinner?” was asked to Arun Yadav during his exam.
The test is a 50-marks game that is conducted by the MCA. Prior to the exam, the interested candidates go through rigorous training (theory and practical) for three days. The candidates are also provided with a book that covers the basics of cricket and is a useful read to pass the written test.
The notifications for the level O coaching examination are publicized on the MCA website and applications are invited for the same. The interested candidates are required to submit the duly-filled hard copy of the application form to the MCA office. After screening the applications, the selected candidates are called for the level O examination. Irrespective whether the candidate has ever played cricket or not, he or she is eligible to fill in the application form.
“This time around, as many as 90 aspiring coaches divided into three batches appeared for the examination”, averred Yadav. An all-rounder himself, Arun, always to get into cricket, either as a player or as a coach. Having scored a couple of big centuries in T20 club level cricket in the recent past, the aggressive batsman wanted to add another feather to his cricketing cap. In his very first attempt itself, Yadav cleared the level O coaching exam and is now regarded as a certified cricket coach. He has been playing the sport for more than 10 years and is arguably more than a handy all-rounder for his team.
Clearing the level O coaching exam will not only add value to his coaching stock but also help him improve his own game. Cricketgraph wishes Arun Yadav all the very best in his future endeavours and hopes that he not only achieves great feats as player but also as a coach.
MCA have listed all the players who cleared the level O coaching, to check the list of other players who cleared the level O coaching click here
Wicket keeping is the most underrated and the most toughest and thankless job in cricket. Here in this video coach sumeet khanna aims to demonstrate basic foot work and base position drills for wicket keepers through his young student Aalap Dasmahapatra.
Sumeet Khanna is an active cricketer, playing at top divisions in MCA.
He is a MCA Level O certified coach. Apart from coaching at few clubs in western mumbai, he contributes to cricketgraph regularly to help the cricket community at large.
Attiitude is an international apparel brand, based out of London, United Kingdom with presence in India. The brand is for all those who are not afraid to wear their rebellious streak on sleeve. Attiitude could have not found a better brand ambassador than Chris Gayle, who is one of the most destructive batsmen in international cricket, to be the face of the brand. In collaboration with Cricketgraph.com, Attiitude has launched awards for the best batsman, best bowler, and best fielder.
Maulik Mehta was awarded an awesome hoodie by Attiitude for scoring 178 runs off just 89 balls in the ongoing KSG tournament. His knock was extraordinary since it came at a time when his team had already resigned to a big loss. Maulik came in at number 7 and started hitting from the word go. His team was struggling at 21/5 and Maulik simply turned the match in their favor by going bonkers. Such performances deserve to be appreciated and awarded.
Here in the video, you see Maulik thanking Attiitude for supporting local cricket.
Attiitude will be back next week with a new winner, till then Cricketgraph and Attiitude signs off.
Fireblaze-Cricketgraph partnership has come out with yet another set of best performances for the period of December 2017.
Fireblaze award has not been awarded to anyone for the last few weeks since the junior cricket didn’t witness any extra ordinary performances either with bat or ball. However recently, Manan Bhatt caught everyone’s attention by scoring an unbeaten 128* off just 56 balls.
Manan scored these runs in TOTAl T20 cup for Sanjivani cricket academy against Chembur Gymkhana. He smashed 24 boundaries and remained unbeaten to help his team post an uphill target of 286/1.
Manan was awarded Fireblaze cricket pads as a part of the “Fireblaze Junior cricket award”, here in the video you would see Coach Shashank Sawant of Sanjivani cricket academy giving the certificate and fireblaze cricket pads to Manan Bhatt.
The Fireblaze Junior Performance Cricket Awards will come back soon with a new set of winners shortlly.
The spinner who bamboozled the batsman with his effortless spin in Kanga, the spinner who was amongst the leading wicket takers this year in Kanga continues to yield his magic in the Dreamz Tournament too as he again came up with match winning bowling figures to steer his team towards a thrilling win.
Played at the Oval Ground vs Deutcshe Bank CIB, United Patni were made to bat first as they made 128/6 in 20 overs which is not the biggest of scores to defend. Opener Sandesh Koli scored a gritty 48 but the rest of the batsman struggled to create much of an impact. Pawanish and Anil bowled well taking 2wkts each which the rest of the bowlers also stayed economical.
Defending a total of 128, United Patni gave an excellent fightback with the ball as they bundled out Deutsche Bank to just 70runs. Left-arm spinner Ashwin Shelke bowled one of the best spells of the tournament as he came up with amazing bowling figures of 5/9 in 4 overs. Coming up with such bowling figures in a T20 match is always commendable and no one could do it better than Ashwin as he helped United Patni win the match by 58runs in a low scoring thriller while he was adjudged ‘man of the match’
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