The Mumbai Cricket Association has announced its Under 19 team for the upcoming summer camp, and the talented Naman Jhawar finds his name among the selected players. With a string of impressive performances in various under 19 domestic tournaments, it was no surprise that Naman caught the selectors’ attention. Hailing from R A Poddar College in Matunga, Naman Jhawar is a player poised to make waves in the upcoming U19 Mumbai Summer Camp.
A wicketkeeper-batsman, Naman has consistently excelled both with the bat and behind the stumps. His notable performances include standout displays in MCA U19 Naren Tamhane Summer Camp Cricket Tournament and in the final of the MCA U19 Bhama Tournament.
Representing MIG in the U19 Bhama Cup final, Naman showcased his prowess, particularly in the final against Gamdevi Cricketers. His stellar knock of 75 runs off 54 balls in the final, coupled with three crucial catches and two stumpings, played a pivotal role in his team’s victory. His stellar performances earned him the coveted title of Man of the Match in the final, where he received the award from cricketing legend Chaminda Vaas. He was the highest run scorer of selection tournament- 154 runs in 3 innings.
Another remarkable innings came in the semifinal of the MCA U19 Naren Tamhane Summer Camp Cricket Tournament, where Naman notched an outstanding century against Sainath SC. Opening the batting for Jolly Gymkhana, his innings of 140 runs off 152 balls propelled his team to a formidable total of 311 runs in the first innings. Amidst a match where no other player managed to surpass the 40-run mark, Naman’s century stood out as a testament to his talent and determination.
However, Naman acknowledges that his success is not solely his own; he credits his guru coach, Mahesh Yetkar sir, for his guidance and support. A Level 2 BCCI Coach and a respected figure at the Mumbai Police, Coach Yetkar’s vast experience, including 15 years of international coaching in Antwerp, Belgium, and Ghana, has played a crucial role in Naman’s development. Currently representing Parel Sporting Club, which recently earned promotion to the A division under Coach Mahesh Yetkar sir’s leadership, Naman is poised to make a significant impact in the U19 Mumbai Summer Camp and beyond.
On the final day of the tournament, the tables turned dramatically, with the final seconds revealing the ultimate victor.
The League of Ancients, hosted at the Omtex ICWC ground in Saphale and sponsored by Omtex, Z-Bats, MetaShot, CAA, Cyomi, Waterful ,PhysioHub, Avisa & Active Sports, concluded with resounding success. The suspense peaked on Sunday as the final two matches unfolded. While it seemed certain that Ancient Aquila lead by Edward Phillip would emerge victorious, as is often said in sports, never underestimate the underdog. On the end of the Saturdays play the championship was in control of the Aquila’s as the only challenge they would have faced was from the Lupus if they won against Draco but on Sunday morning out of nowhere the Draco’s defeated Lupus and now the championship was almost in the hand of Ancient Aquila’s, the only twist being Ancient Scorpius had to chase any total posted by the Aquila’s in 15.1 overs, And what conspired was a spectacle to watch. Abhishek Binge’s Ancient Scorpius defied the odds, achieving a fairy tale ending to a season they will never forget.
Before delving into the thrilling final match, it’s essential to acknowledge a few key moments. Firstly, the opening match of the day set the tone. Secondly, our gratitude extends to all the team owners who were as invested in the tournament’s success as the players themselves.
The first match, featuring Ancient Draco and Ancient Lupus was posied to be very intersting as if Lupus lead by Chetan Ghadi would have won the match , it would put Aqulia’s first position in danger but it proved to be rather one-sided. Batting first, Ancient Draco posted an impressive 190 runs in their allotted 20 overs. Captain Martin Rebello showcased exceptional batting prowess, scoring 79 runs off 52 deliveries, including 10 boundaries and 2 sixes. Sumeet Londhe provided crucial support, contributing 60 runs from 38 balls. Vivek Narkar and Rakesh Naik of Ancient Lupus each claimed 2 wickets. Chasing a daunting total, Ancient Lupus struggled from the outset, ultimately posting 123 runs before being bowled out in 17.3 overs. Praveen Vaity starred for Ancient Draco, securing 3 wickets for a mere 8 runs.
The anticipation was palpable as the legendary South African spinner, Paul Adams, graced the field for the toss, setting the stage for what would become a match for the ages. Ancient Aquila, favoured by many, took to the crease first, their batsmen exuding confidence as they began their innings. With a strong start, it appeared as though they would set an imposing total, causing concern among the Scorpius camp. At one-point, Ancient Aquila stood at a formidable 90 runs for the loss of 3 wickets in just 11 overs. However, the tide turned swiftly as the Scorpius unit rallied with determination and resolve. Through a combination of disciplined bowling and exceptional fielding, they managed to stifle the Aquila’s momentum, restricting them to a modest total of 150 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in their allotted 20 overs.
As the Scorpius team took to the field to begin their chase, if they were to be crowned champions they had to win the match in 15.1 overs, and with that sense of urgency and purpose pervaded their every move. With the championship title within reach, they approached their task with unwavering determination and a singular focus on victory. The scoreboard ticked over steadily as the Scorpius batsmen displayed aggression and finesse in equal measure. Ranjan emerged as the linchpin of their innings, unleashing a barrage of boundaries and sixes to propel his team towards the target. He scored 47 of 25 balls, at 14.4 the Scorpius thought they have the victory to themselves but they had to wait as Ranjan hit it for four and not six, now they wanted just 1 run to win in 3 balls, but they lost two in two and it came down to the last ball and in a heart-stopping climax, with just one run needed off the final ball of the 15.1st over, the tension reached fever pitch. Raj Bangera, the man of the moment, held his nerve admirably, dispatching the ball to the boundary amidst scenes of jubilation and ecstasy from the Scorpius camp. As the realization dawned that they had achieved the seemingly impossible, the entire team erupted in celebration, their triumph a testament to their unwavering belief and unyielding spirit.
As the final ball sailed over the boundary ropes, sealing Scorpius’s victory, Captain Abhishek Binge epitomized the elation and triumph coursing through his team. With the championship trophy held aloft in the inaugural season of The league of Ancients, Scorpius’s fairy tale triumph became etched in the annals of cricketing history—a testament to their resilience, courage, and unwavering belief in the face of adversity.
In addition to celebrating the tournament’s champions, numerous awards were bestowed upon outstanding players, thanks to our sponsors’ generous support:
- Omtex Best Keeper of the League: Rahul Shukla
- Avisa Best Bowler of the League: Pravin Vaity
- Cyomi Best Sledger of the League: Krunal Godhania
- MetaShot Man of the Series: Martin Rebello
- Avisa Best Batsman of the League: Sumeeth Londhe
- Omtex Best Fielder of the League: Sagar Kuwar
The Ancients extend heartfelt appreciation to the team owners—Pravin Rodrigues (Aquila), Harsh Ashar (Lupus), Nikesh Shah (Draco), and Kunal Patel (Scorpius)—whose dedication contributed significantly to the tournament’s success.
Moreover, the tournament’s fantasy league added an extra layer of excitement, with Ashutosh Parab and Krunal Godhania emerging as winners for their astute predictions.
Finally, our deepest gratitude goes to the spectators whose unwavering support made this cricketing spectacle truly memorable. The League of Ancients extends its thanks to all who played a part, directly or indirectly, in making this event a resounding success.
The weekend kicked off in spectacular fashion as the League of Ancients resumed at the Saphale Omtex ground. The two matches witnessed were nothing short of a thrilling spectacle for sports enthusiasts.
In the first encounter between Ancients Aquilla and Ancients Draco, Ancients Aquilla emerged victorious, defeating Ancients Draco by a margin of 15 runs. Opting to bat first, Ancients Aquilla posted a competitive total of 167 runs in their allotted 20 overs, losing 9 wickets in the process. The standout performer for Ancients Aquilla was Sagar Kuwar, who exhibited his prowess with the bat, scoring a sublime 63 runs off 48 deliveries, comprising 5 boundaries and 2 towering sixes. Among the bowlers of Ancients Draco, Praveen Vaity, Pankaj, and Martin Rebello stood out, each claiming 2 wickets.
Despite a promising start to their chase, with Ancients Draco reaching 50 runs without loss in the first 6 overs, they faltered in the face of disciplined bowling by Ancients Aquilla’s bowlers, ultimately falling short by 15 runs. Sagar Kuwar, proving his mettle with both bat and ball, clinched the spotlight, scalping 2 crucial wickets while conceding a mere 13 runs in his two overs. His outstanding all-round performance earned him the well-deserved Man of the Match title.
In the second match of the day, between Ancients Scorpius and Ancients Lupus, the contest was marked by a low-scoring affair. Ancients Scorpius, batting first, were bundled out for a modest 122 runs in their stipulated 20 overs. Although Deepak V. Ram and wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Dube displayed resilience with a commendable partnership, their efforts fell short as they could only muster a total of 122 runs. Bhushan Patil emerged as the shining star for Ancients Lupus with the ball, claiming an impressive 4 wickets while conceding a mere 9 runs in his spell of 3 overs.
Facing a relatively achievable target, Ancients Lupus stumbled early, losing 2 wickets for a mere 2 runs. However, Bhushan Patil, showcasing his prowess with the bat this time, steered his team out of trouble with an unbeaten half-century, scoring 50 runs off 47 deliveries, adorned with 6 boundaries and a towering six. Nitin More also contributed valiantly, adding 26 runs off 23 balls to the scoreboard. Bhushan Patil’s exceptional all-round display earned him the Man of the Match accolade.
As the thrilling day of cricket came to a close, Ancient Aquila on the top of the table and has one hand on the trophy an anticipation mounted for the final day of the tournament on Sunday, with two more enthralling matches yet to unfold. Stay tuned for more exhilarating cricketing action!
Brief Score: Ancient Aquila 167 for 9 (Sagar kuwar 63, Karan Menon 21, Pravin Vaity 18/2) beat Ancient Draco 152 for 8 (Ajinkya T 41, Sachin M 20, Sagar Kuwar 13/2) by 15 runs.
Ancient Lupus 125 for 4 (Bhushan Patil 50*, Nitin More 26, Raj B 14/2) beat Ancient Scorpius (Rishabh Dube 35, Deepak Vram 28, Bhushan Patil 9/4) by 6 wickets.
Brief Score: One Solution 228/0 in 10 overs (Vaibhav Sane 178*, Bablu 29*, Mufaddal Javeri 0/16) beat Hercules 117/6 in 10 overs ( Suhas Bagade 52, Sujal 17, Datta Mohite 3/16)
In the final of 27th MCA Ajit Naik Memorial Cricket Tournament 2023-24 Vashi Centre beat Azad Maidan Centre with first innings lead. A two-day test match that resulted in a draw saw Vashi Centre beat Azad Maidan Centre with first innings lead of 17 runs.
Batting first Azad Maidan scored 235 in 67.5 overs with the contributions of Dhairya Patil (38), Aarush Kolhe (38) and Vedang Kokate (33). Azad maidan had a steady start and were 68 fro1 but then a sudden collapse put Azad on backfoot as from 68 for 1 they went to 68 for 4 in span of 3 overs. In bowling department for Vashi Centre Shree Ganesh Dhanawde picked four wickets (4/44) and Uday Singh Johal picked 3 wickets (3/55). 235 seemed a good total and Azad Maidan Centre were in the game with this total.
While batting second Vashi Centre were struggling at 99 for 4 and then they saw one of the finest partnerships in the final of U-14 Ajit Naik Memorial Tournament. A stand of 95 runs between captain Pradnya Bhalerao (96) and Sparsh Gholap (34) made sure that Vashi were at top. Even though the bowlers of Azad Maidan Centre came back in the game but it was too late. Vashi Centre were All out for 252 runs having the lead of 17 runs, which at the end felt crucial for the win for the Vashi Centre. In the bowling department for Azad Maidan Centre Vedang Kokate picked three wickets (3/32).
The Man of the match of the final was the captain of the Vashi Centre Pradnya Bhalerao who scored 96 runs from 134 balls. On the back of his brilliant half century Vashi Centre were in the position of wining. Pradnya Bhalerao made a name for himself in the final. The bowling performance also came in handy for the Vashi Centre and with the All-round performance of the team it helps them to clinch this victory.
Brief Score: Azad Maidan Centre 1st inns 235 for 10 (Dhairya Patil 38, Aarush Kolhe 38, Vedang Kokate 33, Shree Ganesh Dhanawde 4/44, Uday Singh Johal 3/55) and 2nd inns 24 for 1. Vashi Centre 1ist Inns 252 for 10 (Pradnya Bhalerao 96, Sparsh Gholap 34, Pugazh Sundarraj 31, Vedang Kokate 3/32, Shaurya Rane 2/53)
In the final of the MCA Girls Under 19 Summer Camp T-20 Tournament, Nerul Gymkhana secured a 20-run victory over Central Railway Shivaji Park in a gripping, low-scoring encounter. Choosing to bat first after winning the toss, Nerul Gymkhana suffered a shaky start, losing two wickets within the power play and managing only 93 runs for the loss of four wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Rennie Fernandes top-scored for Nerul Gymkhana with an unbeaten 33 runs off 47 balls. Central Railway’s bowling attack, led by Samruddhi, Diksha, Kaveri, and Janhavi, shared the wickets evenly.
It seemed a low total to chase and at the half way mark Central Railway Shivaji Park were at the top and seemed they were in the game. But Nerul Gymkhana girls had other plans and what came next was an inspired spell of bowling which made the total of 93 look 193.
While chasing a low total Central Railway SP got to a bad start and were 21 for 3 at the end of powerplay. At that is where the game became interesting. After a 20-run partnership between captain Jeeya Mandrawadkar and Saanjh Patil things looked in control as they were 40 for 3 at 10 overs mark needing 53 in last 10. But then captain Mitali Mhatre of Nerul Gymkhanas broke the partnership and after that it was impossible for the Central Railway SP to come back and they were bowled out for 73 in 19.2 overs.
The tournament concluded as a resounding success, with individual awards recognizing outstanding performances. Alina Mulla of Nerul Gymkhana was awarded the Best Batter of the Tournament, while Tanvi Chavan, also from Nerul Gymkhana, was honoured as the Best Bowler. Although there was no official “Player of the Tournament” award, Nerul Gymkhana’s captain’s remarkable all-around performance, scoring 121 runs and taking five wickets in four matches, made her a strong contender. While Nerul Gymkhana dominated the trophy cabinet, the contributions of all participants were acknowledged and celebrated.
Brief Score : Nerul Gymkhana ( Rennie Fernandes 33, Gargi Naik 15, Samruddhi Ghare 1/9) beat Central Railway Shivaji Park ( Jeeya Mandrawadkar 18, Diksha Manjrekar 11, Mitali Mhatre 3/15, Rennie Fernandes 2/9) by 20 runs.
In ongoing H.D kanga Knockout Tournament Gay Cavaliers CC beat Parsee Pioneer CC by 6 wickets. It was a low scoring match of group C of Kanga Knockout played at Karnataka S.A cross Maidan.
Parsee Won the toss and elected to bat first but they got to a horrible start losing Rohan and Rugved for duck and were five for two. And it got worse and worse as they kept losing wickets. It was a late surge by Ashish and Girish down the order that helped Parsee CC reach 113 in27.5 overs. The bowling contributions came by everyone and every bowler to bowl from Cavaliers took wicket but the Major Contribution came from Raj Mandhesiya as he picked 4 for 30 in his 7 over spell. He first took wickets at the top to remove both Rohan and Rugved and then picked two of the middle order batsmen putting the hopes of a comeback to end. With Raj Mandesiya putting up a stellar performance with the ball the job of batsman’s got easier.
Chasing a modest total of 114 runs Cavaliers got to a steady start, after a 34-run opening stand another 50-run stand made their position in the match very firm. The top performance came from the top where Yadnesh Sawant scored 60 runs from 89 balls. After getting to a good start, he made sure that he stays there and play a defining knock so that the team is out of trouble. He also completed his milestone of reaching half century in making sure his team gets to the line with ease. With performance and support by Maitrik the Cavaliers won the match by 6 wickets chasing 114 in 37.4 overs.
It was a fantastic effort by both Raj and Yadnesh that helped Cavaliers for another easy won in the tournament. with this fantastic win they move ahead.
BREIF SCORE; Gay Cavaliers CC 114/4 in 37.4 overs (Yadnesh S 60, Maitrik 25, Vinod B 2/29) beat by Parsee Pioneer CC 113/10 in 27.5 overs (Girish 35, Ashish 29, Raj Mandhesiya 4/30) by 6 wickets.
Founded by Abhishek Binge and his friends in December 2022 with just 11 players, The Ancients have emerged as the most active cricket team in Mumbai. According to statistics from Cricheroes, they boast a staggering 150 players today. Remarkably, they are the only team in Mumbai to have played every Saturday and Sunday throughout the season, participating in various tournaments.
As the season draws to a close, The Ancients are geared up to host their own inaugural annual internal cricket tournament – The League of Ancients. This exciting event comprises four teams, each named after constellations: Scorpius, Draco, Lupus, and Aquila. The captain explains that these names pay homage to the timeless Ancients who existed before us.
Set against the backdrop of the illustrious Omtex ICWC Saphale, renowned for its international standard cricket facilities, the tournament promises an unparalleled experience for cricket enthusiasts. The buzz around the League of Ancients caught the attention of prominent cricket brands, with Omtex and Z-bats signing on as main sponsors. Additionally, Metashot has joined as the Man of the Series sponsor, while Active Sports and CAA have partnered with The Ancients as gifting partners. PhysioHub has also come on board as the league’s physio partner, ensuring the well-being of the players.
Abhishek Binge, the driving force behind The Ancients, not only leads the team but also manages the tournament operations. His vision is clear: to provide players with unforgettable experiences at affordable costs. The League of Ancients embodies this vision, promising cherished memories for all participants.
As The Ancients prepare to showcase their talents on the esteemed grounds of Omtex ICWC Saphale, the stage is set for a thrilling cricketing spectacle. The League of Ancients is not merely a tournament; it’s a testament to passion, camaraderie, Brotherhood and the enduring spirit of the game.
The tournament kicked off on May 12th with two matches. In the first game, Ancients Aquila faced Ancients Lupus. Aquila set a target of 145 runs, with Shubham Acharya top-scoring with 42 runs off 33 balls. In response, Lupus fell short, being all out for 105 runs in 17.2 overs. Yatish Mudaliar, with 4 wickets for 13 runs, and Captain Edward Phillip, with 3 wickets for 7 runs, led Aquila to victory.
In the second match, Ancients Scorpius clashed with Ancients Draco. Scorpius set a formidable target of 165 runs, with Sunny Jadhav’s commanding 61 runs off 49 balls leading the charge. Adding to the onslaught was Rishabh Dube, who contributed a brisk 23 off just 8 deliveries. In response, Draco’s chase concluded at 147 runs in their allotted 20 overs. Draco started strong, courtesy of Sumeet Londhe’s aggressive batting. However, despite Ashish Saroj’s valiant effort with 33 runs off 23 balls, the innings faltered. It was the combined efforts of Kunal Patel and Abhishek Binge that stemmed Draco’s momentum, sealing their fate. As a result of his stellar batting display, Sunny Jadhav was awarded the Man of the Match accolade.
With these exciting matches, the tournament began on a high note, promising more thrilling action ahead.
Brief scores:
- Aquila 145/10 (Shubham A 42, Nihal 6/2) defeated Lupus 105/10 (Amit S 38, Yatish M 14/4, Edward P 7/3) by 40 runs.
- Scorpius 165/6 (Sunny J 61, Harshit 23/2) defeated Draco 147/10 (Ashish S 33, Kunal P 12/2) by 18 runs.
In a thrilling clash at the U-23 Rathod Trophy MCA tournament, Dadar Union Sporting Club (DUSC) triumphed over Oriental Cricket Club (OCC) in a super league showdown, largely fueled by Sumit Prajapati’s exceptional bowling display. Prajapati’s dream spell saw him scalping six crucial wickets in just 3.2 overs, conceding a mere six runs with an additional maiden over. The left-arm spinner’s relentless attack dismantled OCC’s middle order, restricting them to a meager total of 65 runs before being bundled out in 12.2 overs.
With a modest target to chase, DUSC’s batsmen approached the task with confidence. Despite losing a few wickets, they comfortably chased down the total in a mere 6.5 overs, securing victory with six wickets in hand. Adding to the jubilation, it was Sumit Prajapati himself who sealed the win with a boundary, further cementing his heroics in the match.
Following this remarkable triumph, DUSC now occupies the second spot in their super league A group, boasting a commendable record of one win and one loss in two games. As they prepare to face Islam Gymkhana in their next encounter, the team finds themselves riding high on confidence, buoyed by Sumit Prajapati’s stellar performance.
Sumit Prajapati’s heroics have not only propelled DUSC to victory but have also instilled a sense of optimism and determination within the team as they march forward in the tournament.
Brief Score:OCC: 65 all out in 12.2 overs (R. Shaikh 19, S. Prajapati 6/6)DUSC: 67 runs in 6.5 overs (S. Girkar 17, SS Narayan 2/21)
In a MCA Womens Knockout match between Bombay Union Sports Club and Crescent cricket Club, Crescent Cricket Club beat Bombay Union Sports Club by 7 wickets in a 35 over match at Sachin Tendulkar Gymkhana 1, Kandivali, Mumbai.
Bombay Union after winning the toss choose to bat first and after the loss of early wicket the partnership for second wicket looked solid. But what followed next was an unreal collapse.
After being 16 for 1 and then 64 for 2 things were looking good for the Bombay Unions but then wickets kept falling on regular intervals and even tough another 33-run partnership the Bombay union were bowled out for 131 in 25 overs.
Even tough it was a team effort with the ball as Swanandi, Shreya and Arya all took three (3) wickets each. Arya stole the show by taking a hattrick at the end of the innings. She got Saanjh, Jai and Shravani all on three consecutive deliveries, and from 131 for 7 Bombay Unions went to 131 all-out.
To chase the modest total of 132 the Crescent Cricket Club got to a solid start courtesy Arya the hattrick girl and Riya. They both together put a century stand for the first wicket.
In batting the star of the show was the opening batsman Riya Pawar who scored a brilliant half century in fast pace. She scored 56 runs from 63 balls hitting 9 boundaries. With the Batting Effort of Riya and Bowling Effort of Arya Crescent won the match by ease as they chased down the score in just 23 overs with 7 wickets to spare. It was also impressive as the Bombay Union team was assisted by None other than Indian Women’s teams opening batter Poonam Raut. The young Players were in aww of her and it was a great learning for them as well.
Breif Score – Bombay Unions Cricket Club 132/10 in 25 overs ( Priyadarshini 26, Arya 18/3, Shreya21/3, Swanandi 24/3) lose to Crescent Cricket Club 132/3 in 23.3 overs( Riya Pawar 56, Arya 26, Priyadarshani 10/1)
Swanandi, Shreya and Arya all took three (3) wickets