Mumbai, March 15: A total of 16 teams will be competing for the top honours in the 73rd Nawab Salar Jung Invitation T20 Cricket Tournament, organised by the Islam Gymkhana under the auspices of the Mumbai Cricket Association, which will commence from Saturday, March 18, 2023.
Defending Parsee Gymkhana will try to retain the crown, but they will certainly encounter strong challenges from the other contenders.
The other participating teams include, Mumbai Police Gymkhana, Bombay Gymkhana, P.J. Hindu Gymkhana, Apollo CC, Young Mohammedan CC, Muslim United SC, Young Friends CC, Marwari CC, Bohra CC, Kurla Sports Club, Muslims Sports Club, Souvenir CC, Modern CC, Sponsors XI and hosts Islam Gymkhana.
Adv. Mohseen Shaikh, Hon. Secretary (Cricket), Islam Gymkhana mentioned that the tournament will be conducted with all precautionary measures being taken as per the protocol of the State Government and the other concerned authorities.
Islam Gymkhana, President, Adv. Yusuf Abrahani said, “Islam Gymkhana has always encouraged and promoted cricket. We are happy to conduct the Nawab Salar Jung Invitation Cricket Tournament for the past 72 years. Our aim is to provide young cricketers an opportunity and encourage them to play the sport competitively and to showcase their talent.”
Adv. Mohseen stated that the format of this tournament is a direct knockout and all the matches will be played as per the New Model Rules of the Mumbai Cricket Association.
“The initial round of matches will be played at Parsee Gymkhana ground, P.J. Hindu Gymkhana ground, Mumbai Police Gymkhana ground and the Islam Gymkhana ground. The quarter-finals are scheduled to be played at the Parsee Gymkhana and the two semi-finals at the Islam Gymkhana on Monday, March 20 and the final the next day at the Islam Gymkhana,” Mohseen further stated.
The participating teams: Parsee Gymkhana, Mumbai Police Gymkhana, Bombay Gymkhana, P.J. Hindu Gymkhana, Apollo CC, Young Mohammedan CC, Muslim United SC, Young Friends CC, Marwari CC, Bohra CC, Kurla Sports Club, Muslims Sports Club, Souvenir CC, Modern CC, Sponsors XI and Islam Gymkhana.
Mumbai, March 15: Victory Cricket Club, bolstered by the powerful century knocks from opening batswomen Sarika Koli who cracked a 53-ball 125 runs and Mahek Pokar who remained unbeaten on a 65-ball 108 runs, defeated Yogi Cricket Club by a massive 212 runs in a Group-I second round match of the 1st MCA Women’s Cricket League, and played at Sachin Tendulkar Gymkhana 1 ground, Kandivali on Wednesday.
In a Group-A match, Mandavi Muslim SC registered a comfortable 8-wicket victory against Shantibhai Sheth Memorial CC. Batting first, Shantibhai Sheth Memorial CC were bowled out for 70 runs in 12.1 overs. Mandavi Muslims bowlers Sharvari More 4 for 13 and Mugdha Pisat 4 for 17 claimed the wickets. In reply, Mandavi Muslims easily chased the target reaching 74 runs for 2 wickets in 14.1 overs. Kashvi Hosalkar scored an unbeaten 31 runs.
Meanwhile, Victory CC openers started in aggressive fashion and smashed the rival bowling attack to all corners of the park. Koli who struck 23 boundaries and two sixes and Pokar who was a bit patient hit 18 boundaries and the duo stitched together a 245 run first wicket partnership for the first wicket before their innings closed at 262 for 1 wicket in 20 overs.
Later, Victory CC bowlers contained the Yogi CC batters who could only make 50 runs for the loss of 8 wickets from their quota of 20 overs. Shrushti KudalKar 3 for 1 and Sejal Raut 2 for 14 were the main Victory CC bowlers.
Brief scores: Victory Cricket Club 262 for 1, 20 overs (Sarika Koli 125 (53-balls), Mahek Pokar 108* (65-balls) beat Yogi Cricket Club 50 for 8, 20 (Shrushti KudalKar 3/1, Sejal Raut 2/14). Result: Victory CC won by 212 runs.
Shantibhai Sheth Memorial CC 70 all out, 12.1 overs (Sharvari More 4/13, Mugdha Pisat 4/17) lost to Mandavi Muslim SC 74 for 2, 14.1 overs (Kashvi Hosalkar 31*). Result: Mandavi Muslim SC won by 8 wickets.
National Cricket Club 160 for 6, 20 overs (Gauri Kadam 56, Lavanya Shetty 46; Sara Agale 2/23) beat Shivaji Park Youngsters SC 115 for 3, 20 overs (Manasvi Ajgaonkar 43*). Result: National Cricket Club (Womens League) won by 45 runs
Borivali Cricket Club 143 for 7, 20 (Tanisha Sharma 73, Poonam Pal 14; Dnyani Shelatkar 2/18) beat S.K.P. Athletics Club 61 for 9, 20 overs (Gargi Salunkhe 5/8). Result: Borivali CC won by 82 runs.
Apollo Cricket Club 84 for 6, 20 overs (Gagana Mulakala 25, Sanjiti Amin 20; Priyadarshini Singh 3/17, Riya Singh 2/20) lost to Indian Dynamite CC 86 for 1, 11.4 overs (Priyadarshini Singh 31, Mugdha 27). Result: Indian Dynamite CC won by 9 wickets
Mumbai, March 14: Western Railway SA inspired by brilliance of Drushant Soni who picked 4 wickets for 19 runs and opening bat Mrunal Devdhar who smashed a quick 27-ball 66 runs steamrolled past Mumbai Port Trust SC recording an 8-wicket victory in a quarter-final match of the RCF T20 cricket tournament for the Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Cup 2023, organized by Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers Limited under the auspices of the MCA (Mumbai Cricket Association) and played at the RCF Colony ground, Chembur on Tuesday.
In the semi-finals, Western Railway will meet DTDC Express CC who convincingly defeated Nirlon SC by 7 wickets. DTDC Express fielding first bowled out Nirlon SC for 164 runs in 20 overs. Agni Chopra 47 runs (32-balls, 1×4,3×6), Amogh Bhatkal 22 runs and Sandeep Kunchikor 20 runs propped the Nirlon innings, while Omkar Ghule took 3 wickets for 13. In reply, DTDC Express CC powered by Satyalash Jain unbeaten 52-ball 87 runs, which was studded with an equal number of six boundaries and sixes and Maxwell Swaminathan 22 runs steered the team to victory.
Deciding to field first, Western Railway bowlers, in particular Soni, claimed wickets at regular intervals to dismiss MbPT SC for 132 runs in 19.1 overs. The only batsman to stay long in the middle for Vedprakash Jaiswal who struck 41 (29-balls, 2×4,2×6) which lifted the innings. Soni got good support from Kunal Karmchandani 2 for 10 and Hitesh Kadam 2 for 32.
In reply, Western Railway easily reached the winning target making 133 runs for 2 wickets in just 12 overs. Opening bat Devdhar led the charge with his half century knock which included 10 boundaries and 3 sixes. Amen Bawa chipped in with an unbeaten 24 runs and Asad Pathan scored 23 runs. MbPT’s Rehan Ahmed took both the wickets giving away 31 runs.
Brief scores: Mumbai Port Trust SC 132 all out, 19.1 overs (Vedprakash Jaiswal 41 (29-balls, 2×4,2×6); Drushant Soni 4 for 19, Kunal Karmchandani 2 for 10, Hitesh Kadam 2 for 32) lost to Western Railway SA 133 for 2 wickets, 12 overs (Mrunal Devdhar 66 (27-balls, 10×4,3×6), Amen Bawa 24*, Asad Pathan 23; Rehan Ahmed 2 for 31). Result: Western Railway SA won by 8 wickets.
Nirlon Sports Club 164 all out, 20 overs (Agni Chopra c M Swaminathan b D Parida 47 (32-balls, 1×4,3×6), Amogh Bhatkal 22, Sandeep Kunchikor 20; Omkar Ghule 3 for 13) lost to DTDC Express CC 165 for 3 wickets, 17.3 overs (Satyalash Jain not out 87* (52-ball, 6×4,6×6), Maxwell Swaminathan 22). Result: DTDC Express CC won by 7 wickets.
Mumbai, March 13: Teleperformance DIBS played with plenty of determination and displayed tremendous fighting qualities and handed Route Mobile CC a 59-run defeat in a quarter-final match of the RCF T20 cricket tournament for the Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Cup 2023, organized by Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers Limited under the auspices of the MCA (Mumbai Cricket Association) and played at the RCF Colony ground, Chembur on Monday.
In another quarter-final, Space Sports Club boosted by Gautam Waghela’s knock of 57 runs (32-balls, 5×4, 2×6) defeated Repro India CC by 50 runs to set up a semi-final meeting with Teleperformance.
Space SC deciding to bat piled up a challenging total of 208 runs for 5 wickets from their stipulated 20 overs. Besides Waghela’s efforts, Siddharth Akre contributed with an unbeaten 43 runs, Vinit Parab and Viraj Jadhav scored 39 and 33 runs respectively. Yash Singh 2 for 23 and Yash Mahale 2 for 25 took the wickets for Repro India.
Later, Space SC’s bowlers Vikas Singh 3 for 34 and Rugved More 2 for 24 claimed wickets at crucial junctures to restrict Repro India CC to 158 for 9 wickets in 18.3 overs. Repro India’s middle-order bats Monil Soni 35 runs and Dhruv Thakkar 31 runs tried to keep them in the fight.
Earlier, Route Mobile, choosing to field first, bowled well and managed to dismiss Teleperformance for a modest total of 164 in 19.5 overs. Ajit Yadav 40 runs (25-balls, 3×4,1×6), Siddharth Vekariya 33 runs, Rounaq Sharma 27 runs and Siddharth Kheni 25 runs propped the Teleperformance innings. Vishal Dhagaonkar 3 for 30 and Prabhakar Nishad 2 for 26 were the key Teleperformance bowlers.
Route Mobile batsmen struggled to get going in their pursuit of the winning target of 165 runs. They could only manage to score 105 runs for the loss of 9 wickets and fell short surpassing the rivals total. Their leading wicket-taker was Darshan Mangukiya picking 3 wickets for 17 runs and secured the team’s success.
Brief scores: Teleperformance DIBS 164 all out, 19.5 overs (Ajit Yadav 40 (25-balls, 3×4,1×6), Siddharth Vekariya 33, Rounaq Sharma 27, Siddharth Kheni 25; Vishal Dhagaonkar 3 for 30, Prabhakar Nishad 2 for 26) beat Route Mobile CC 105 for 9 wickets, 17 overs (Ayush Vartak 37 (20-balls, 4×4, 2×6); Darshan Mangukiya 3 for 17). Result: Teleperfomance DIBS won by 59 runs.
Space Sports Club 208 for 5 wickets, 20 overs (Gautam Waghela 57 (32-balls, 5×4, 2×6), Siddharth Akre 43* (24-balls, 4×6), Vinit Parab 39 (26-balls, 5×4,1×6), Viraj Jadhav 33; Yash Singh 2 for 23, Yash Mahale 2 for 25) beat Repro India CC 158 for 9 wickets, 18.3 overs (Monil Soni 35 (24-balls), Dhruv Thakkar 31; Vikas Singh 3 for 34, Rugved More 2 for 24). Result: Space Sports Club won by 50 runs.
In an enticing game of cricket between Sanjeevani CA and Dream XI DVCA, the latter prevailed by the slimmest margins of the game. Sanjeevani scored a competitive total of 223 in 35 overs for the loss of just 2 wickets. However, DVCA’s captain Shinde had other plans. Aayush clobbered an 87-ball 104 with a strike rate of 119.5 as he opened the innings. With 12 fours to his name, Shinde batted for over two hours and made sure his team reaches the total. He formed a partnership with Styanarayan who contributed an unbeaten 77 as DVCA sealed the game on the second last ball of the match and won the game with 6 wickets in hand.
FSCC emerged victorious against Hindkala Cricket Club in the Athletix Sports U-14 Challengers Trophy 2022. Scoring 173 in 25 overs, FSCC posed a commanding target as skipper Aayush Shinde scored 68 off just 53. He was backed up Shivam Varma who scored a half century of his own.
With an advantage, FSCC bowled aggressively to restrict Hindakala to just 129. Saurabh Yadav claimed 3 wickets and so did Het Patel. Ultimately, FSCC won the game by 44 runs.
The Red Bull Cup Finale between Rizvi College and Podar College was nothing short of dramatic with supreme upcoming talents competing for the championship. After opting to bat, Podar posed a total of 154 in 20 overs losing 7 wickets in the process. There were no major contributions but crucial knocks were played all around the innings. Jay Jain and Ayush Vartak scoring 24 each as Roneet Thakur finishing off things with an unbeaten 37. On the bowling side, Rajesh Sardar bowled an excellent spell of 3/6 in just 3 overs.
As the runchase began, Rizvi lost Suved Parkar early on but his partner Suryansh Shedge let loose and clobbered 66 runs quickly. Apart from him, Pragnesh Kanpilewar and Arjun Dani chipped in 21 each. As they reached closer to the target, Rizvi lost timely wickets. Atharva Bhosale claimed 2 of them while Kunal Navrane took 3. But it was Aayush Vartak’s spell which brought Podar back into the game.
Despite being the last one to bowl, Vartak managed to take 4 crucial wickets at the fag end of the innings. This effort saw Podar make an emphatic comeback in the game. Ultimately Rizvi was bowled out for 150 in the final over of the match as Podar won by just 4 runs in hand. Ayush Vartak was named as the Man of the Match for his monumental effort.
JSW were crowned the 2023 Times Shield E Division Champions as they won against TATA Power. Spinner Amit Mishra had a major role to play in this tournament as he claimed 17 wickets across all games for JSW and made sure JSW seal the title and are promoted to the D division.
In the finals JSW hammered a 212 in 30 overs. Shaikh hammered 61 as Arjun Thapa chipped in 43. Tata Power were restricted to just 175 as JSW emerged victorious by just 37 runs. Nikhil, Ishak and the best bowler of the tournament Amit Mishra claimed two wickets each to maintain the pressure.
JFSC Dads Championship Cup produced an enticing battle between JNS Mustangs and Utpal Gladdiators. After winning the toss, Mustangs managed to score 151 in 20 overs as they were bowled out on the final ball of the innings. Opener Karan Jain carried the innings by scoring an all important knock of 61 off just 45 balls with 8 boundaries in total. With the team struggling at 57 for 4, he formed a partnership with Vikas Linga who chipped in a 22 ball 37 with 5 fours and a six to his name. Apart from them, all batsmen were dismissed for a single digit score.
With tight bowling lines, Gladdiators blocked the run flow of the Mustangs. Aditya Vageriya’s impressive spell of 4/29 in 4 overs was the highlight of the first innings. Apart from him, Ritesh Bhalani and Ronak Mehta claimed 3 wickets each to bowl their opponents out.
As the runchase began, opener Sunny Nagpal provided a firm start and continued his momentum. Nagpal ended up with 62 runs to his name off 44 balls including 7 fours and 3 sixes. Forming minor partnerships with Sandeep Jajo and Yatin Mora, Nagpal took his team closer to the target. Although Mustangs claimed 5 wickets at 119 in the 14th over of the game, Yatin and Rajesh Jain had it covered as the Gladdiators completed the charge in the 18th over and won the game with 5 wickets in hand.
Niraj Parab was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 4 wickets in 4 overs despite the defeat.
In the All India Civil Services Tournament in Mohali, RSB Mumbai locked horns with RSB Bangalore. Batting first RSB Mumbai hammered a competitive total of 181 for the loss of 8 wickets in 20 overs. Number 3 batsman Prayag Bhati scored an impressive 66 off just 47 balls with 5 fours and 3 sixes to his name. Alongside him skipper Gaurav Jathar provided the finishing touch with a 20-ball-37. Despite the massive total, Vyshak V managed to claim a 5-wicket although. Although expensive, Vyshak dismissed half of the RSB Mumbai.
With a massive total to chase, RSB Bangalore padded up but with wickets falling at crucial moments, they couldn’t build up a momentum. Skipper J scored 35* but unfortunately this wasn’t enough. RSB Mumbai bowled their Bangalore counterparts for just 138 in the 19th over. Akshay Karnewar was the pick of the bowlers with 3/25 to his name in 4 overs. Sagar Mishra and Akash Parkar claimed 2 wickets each.
A team effort saw RSB Mumbai seal the game by 43 runs. Prayag Bhati was named the Man of the Match.