Shreyash Khilare, one of Victory Cricket Club’s most talented youngsters, delivered a standout all-round performance in the MCA 29th Ajit Naik Memorial U-14 Cricket Tournament final, further cementing his name among Mumbai’s brightest junior cricketers.
A composed knock in the final
Playing under high pressure at Worli SC, Mumbai, Shreyash showed remarkable maturity with the bat. Coming in when his team needed stability, he scored a gritty 34 runs off 89 balls, including 3 boundaries and a six. On a tough pitch where runs were hard to score, his calm approach helped anchor Victory CC’s innings and steady the side at a crucial stage.
Match-winning spell with the ball
If his batting provided stability, his bowling turned the game around. Shreyash bowled an exceptional 17-over spell, giving away only 19 runs and picking up 3 vital wickets. His control, consistency, and ability to break partnerships made a massive impact, keeping the opposition in check throughout their chase. It was a performance that underlined his growing stature as a true all-rounder.
Dominating the tournament
Across the MCA U-14 tournament, Shreyash was a model of consistency amassing 497 runs and taking 17 wickets. His all-round dominance earned him the Best Batsman and Man of the Series awards, a rare double that reflects both his skill and work ethic.
Guided by strong mentorship
Behind Shreyash’s rise is the steady guidance of coach Satish Samant at Sanjeevani Cricket Academy. Under Samant’s structured training and focus on all-round development, Shreyash has honed not just his technique but also his match temperament. The academy’s competitive yet nurturing environment has shaped him into a composed performer capable of thriving under pressure.
A rising star to watch
With such consistent performances and a match-winning display in the final, Shreyash Khilare has firmly established himself as one of Mumbai’s most promising U-14 all-rounders. His combination of discipline, temperament, and skill makes him a name to remember in Mumbai’s junior cricket circuit and a young cricketer destined for bigger stages ahead.
The final of the MCA 29th Ajit Naik Memorial U-14 Cricket Tournament saw an intense clash between Victory Cricket Club and Rizvi Sports Club, where Victory CC emerged champions on the basis of a first-innings lead.
Batting first after winning the toss, Victory CC posted 142 runs in 85 overs in the first innings. While the total wasn’t huge, their bowlers turned the game around with a clinical display. The trio of Ayush Goho, Tanay Mahansaria, and Shreyash Khilare shared the honors, taking three wickets each, bundling out Rizvi SC for 125.
In the second innings, Victory CC consolidated their position, reaching 76 for 6, and sealed the title with a comfortable first-innings lead victory.
It was a tournament to remember for the Sanjeevani Cricket Academy as all three key performers Shreyash Khilare, Ayush Goho, and Tanay Mahansaria train under the guidance of Coach Satish Samant.
Their individual brilliance also earned them top honours:
Shreyash Khilare delivered a phenomenal all-round tournament:
Batting: 497 runs in 9 innings at an impressive average of 82.83
Bowling: 17 wickets in 6 innings with an economy of 1.78 and average of 7.12
Awards: 4-time Man of the Match, Best Batsman of the Series, and Man of the Series
Ayush Gohol was a consistent strike bowler for Victory CC:
Bowling: 19 wickets in 7 innings with an economy of 2.9 and average of 9.52
Award: Best Bowler of the Tournament
Tanay Mahansaria proved to be a game-changer in key moments:
Bowling: 18 wickets in 7 innings at an economy of 2.0 and average of 7.7
Award: Emerging Player of the Tournament
Vedang Mishra stands at No. 3 on the batting leaderboard with 277 runs in 7 innings at an impressive average of 69.25 and a strike rate of 53.85. He’s registered three fifties, with a highest score of 79* and has remained unbeaten three times.
This victory not only highlights Victory CC’s dominance but also showcases the exceptional talent being nurtured at Sanjeevani Cricket Academy, continuing its reputation for producing some of Mumbai’s finest young cricketers.
IES College lifted the DSO Inter-College Mumbai Suburban Zone Championship, showcasing dominant all-round performances and team spirit throughout the tournament.
Semi-Final: IES vs Thakur College
In the semi-final clash, IES College opted to bowl first after winning the toss. Their disciplined bowling restricted Thakur College to 77/4 in 10 overs. Chasing a modest target, IES openers made it look effortless. Lakshya Jhawar was in top form, smashing an unbeaten 53 runs off just 25 balls, leading IES to a commanding win at 80 for no loss in 8 overs.
Final: IES vs ADK College
In the summit clash, ADK College won the toss and chose to field. IES set a competitive total of 84/4 in 10 overs, with Lakshya once again leading from the front, scoring 38 runs off 22 balls.
The bowlers then sealed the victory with a sharp performance. Atharva Dhond delivered a match-winning spell, taking 3 wickets for 18 runs in his 2 overs, as ADK could manage only 59/5 in their 10 overs.
Team Effort Behind Success
The IES College team includes several SCA (Sanjeevani Cricket Academy) players, known for their solid cricketing base and disciplined training. The college cricket setup runs under the experienced guidance of Satish Samant sir, while Coach Abhishek Angane has been instrumental in the team’s preparation and on-field strategies.
Their consistent efforts at SCA practice sessions clearly paid off, with IES College emerging as the undisputed champions of the DSO Mumbai Suburban Zone a proud moment for the college and everyone associated with their cricket program.
Young talent Vansh Dhawangale is quickly making a name for himself with consistent and match-winning performances in school and club cricket. His recent outings in the Harris Shield and Kings Cup 2025 have showcased both his bowling skill and batting maturity a combination that makes him one to watch.
In the Harris Shield clash between Hill Spring International School and St. Xavier’s Boys Academy, Vansh delivered a top-class bowling spell. Representing Hill Spring, he bowled 8 overs, picking up 5 wickets for just 30 runs, dismantling the opposition’s batting lineup and giving his team a strong edge in the contest.
If that wasn’t enough, Vansh carried his form into the Kings Cup 2025, where he turned out for SP Champs Jr. against Kaboom Cricket Club. He played a true all-rounder’s role first scoring a crucial 52 runs off 56 balls, including 3 boundaries, and then dominating with the ball once again. His bowling figures of 5 wickets for just 19 runs in 4 overs sealed the win for his team and earned him the MVP of the match title.
With back-to-back standout performances, Vansh Dhawangale is proving to be a game-changer every time he steps on the field. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball highlights the bright future that lies ahead for this promising young cricketer.
Victory Cricket Club’s young talent Shreyash Khilare delivered a stellar all-round performance in the MCA 29th Ajit Naik Memorial U-14 Cricket Tournament against MV Sports Club, making a strong impression with both bat and ball.
Batting first, Victory CC managed a total of 185 runs in 72 overs, with Shreyash leading from the front. The youngster played a composed yet confident knock of 79 runs off 112 balls, laced with 8 boundaries and 3 sixes, anchoring the innings at a crucial stage.
Not just with the bat, Shreyash made his presence felt with the ball too. He bowled a disciplined spell of 13 overs, including 4 maidens, and picked up 3 key wickets, keeping the opposition under constant pressure.
Continuing his fine form, Shreyash once again displayed remarkable consistency in the second session, scoring another half-century 55 runs off 88 balls, decorated with 10 boundaries. His ability to perform under pressure in both innings shows maturity beyond his age.
Shreyash trains at Sanjeevani Cricket Academy under the guidance of coach Satish Samant, who has been instrumental in shaping his game. The academy’s structured approach and focus on all-round development have helped Shreyash evolve into a dependable performer for his side.
With back-to-back standout performances, Shreyash Khilare has proven to be one of the most promising young cricketers to watch out for in Mumbai’s U-14 circuit.
Wellington Cricket Club put on a commanding performance in the Cosmopolitan Shield 2025-26 clash against Shree Shivaji Park Club, registering a massive 193-run victory thanks to standout performances from three Sanjeevani Cricket Academy talents.
After being sent in to bat, Wellington CC piled up 329 runs in 45 overs. Opening batter Atharva Dhond led the charge with a brilliant 125 off just 100 balls, mixing clean strokes with smart placement. He was well supported by Harsh Kadam, who continued his fine form with a composed 81 off 86 deliveries, ensuring Wellington built a solid total despite early pressure.
Defending 329, Wellington’s bowlers turned the game into a one-sided affair. Kabir Nansi was the pick of the attack, delivering a spell of pure precision 6 overs, 4 wickets for just 11 runs. His control and discipline left the opposition struggling for answers. Adding to the pressure, Fardeen Shaikh chipped in with 3 wickets for 37 runs, wrapping up the innings at just 136.
What made the victory even more special was that Atharva, Harsh, and Kabir all train at Sanjeevani Cricket Academy, Bandra, under the guidance of Coach Satish Samant. Their performances reflected the strong foundation and discipline that the academy has been nurturing over the years.
A proud moment for both Wellington CC and Sanjeevani Cricket Academy as their young guns once again proved that good coaching and consistent hard work always show on the field.
The Ponytail
A dejected figure in a blue jersey stood before an open goal, staring in disbelief. The penalty shot he had visualized and manifested countless times had just sailed over the bar. That miss would come to define Roberto Baggio’s career the man with the most famous ponytail in football, forever remembered not for his genius, but for that moment in the 1994 World Cup final.
What many forgot was that Baggio had carried Italy to that very final through sheer brilliance, grit, and pain. Playing with a broken knee, he inspired a divided team and a coach with his own agenda to defy the odds and face the mighty Brazilians led by Romário.
When the match ended in a draw after extra time, fate seemed to have aligned perfectly. Surely, destiny would reward the man who had willed Italy this far. And yet, he missed. Not by inches, but by metres.
That one kick turned the hero into a symbol of heartbreak. The lone ranger who had borne the team on his shoulders became the face of defeat. The world forgot the agony he endured, the courage it took to even step onto the pitch.
There was no redemption. Baggio would never again play in a World Cup final. And to this day, when a player steps up for a decisive penalty, commentators still ask “Will this be their Baggio moment?”
The Team
Thousands of miles away and decades later, I witnessed a different kind of sporting theatre unfold — not under the lights of Pasadena, but on the cricket grounds of Mumbai.
Bayside Sports runs an inter-school tournament where fathers of schoolchildren face off against their counterparts from other schools. It’s a wonderful idea — a chance for 35+ fathers to relive their sporting passion, to compete, to bond, and to chase that elusive trophy at the end of the rainbow.
But here’s the twist.
Having played with one of the tournament’s most successful teams, I learned something crucial: passion takes you only so far.
We had everything — sponsors, coaches, rigorous practice sessions, quality equipment, and a meticulous selection process. And yet, cracks began to appear. Why? Because most of us — men in our late thirties and forties, successful in business or corporate life — were not used to hearing one word: “No.”
In our professional worlds, we led teams. We called the shots. We weren’t often questioned. But in a team sport, that changes. Suddenly, you have a defined role. You’re accountable. You’re replaceable. And if you don’t perform, you sit on the bench.
As one of our coaches wisely said:
“The true strength of a team is defined not by its starting eleven, but by player number 12, 13, 14, and 15 the ones on the bench.”
Those players can either uplift the team with their commitment and energy — or destroy it through gossip, resentment, and ego. Unfortunately, the latter often prevails. And believe me, no one gossips better than a self-interested 35-year-old man with free time and an audience.
The successful team I was part of eventually fractured not because of lack of talent or resources, but because of ego and politics. What was once a championship-winning side splintered into four mediocre teams, all to satisfy individual ambitions.
The Lesson
Sport mirrors life. Individual brilliance can carry a team but only to a point.
The world salutes the rising sun, yet a beautiful failure can inspire generations. Think of Roger Federer’s epic loss to Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon in 2008, often described as the most heart-breaking defeat in tennis history. Or consider what Schumacher did to Ferrari, or what Tendulkar, Ganguly, and Kohli did for Indian cricket. Great individuals lift teams, reshape cultures, and build legacies.
But the reverse is also true. A few self-interested individuals can quietly dismantle everything. They win the attention of decision-makers, whisper doubts, and twist narratives. Ironically, these are often the average performers — the ones who do just enough to stay relevant, yet spend their energy lobbying rather than performing.
And when decision-makers listen to them, the damage begins. Teams fracture. Trust erodes. Legacies collapse — not always in a blaze of drama, but in slow, quiet corrosion.
It takes years of patience and vision to build a great team. It takes just one ego to tear it apart.
Yet, even in failure whether it’s Baggio’s miss or a team’s implosion there lies a lesson worth cherishing:
True greatness isn’t in never falling, but in understanding why we did and having the courage to build again.
Author – Vivek Manchanda
Mumbai’s young pace talent Abir Singh Chadha is making steady strides in his U-19 journey. Representing MCA Under-19 Team B in the KC Mahindra Shield Selection Tournament, Abir has shown his ability to deliver with discipline and consistency against some strong opposition.
In the opening match against Yajuvindra Singh XI, Abir bowled a tight spell 7 overs, 22 runs, and 1 wicket in the first innings, followed by 2 overs for 9 runs in the second. While he remained 0 not out in the first innings and was dismissed for 0 in the second, his focus with the ball stood out.
In the second game against Sanjay Manjrekar XI, the right-arm quick continued his good form, returning figures of 4 overs, 14 runs, and 2 wickets in the first innings. He bowled just 1 over for 7 runs in the second innings and didn’t get a chance to bat, but his impact with the ball was evident.
What makes this performance even more special is that Abir has been selected by the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) in the Vinoo Mankad Trophy probable, the premier Under-19 one-day state tournament played across India under the BCCI. His inclusion reflects the growing trust in his skills and potential at the state level.
Abir is currently participating in the selection matches to secure his spot in the final Mumbai U-19 squad for both the Vinoo Mankad Trophy and the Cooch Behar Trophy, the marquee U-19 red-ball tournament.
According to the official BCCI website, Abir’s name features in the Mumbai U-19 probables list, confirming his recognition among the city’s most promising young cricketers.
With his sharp line-and-length bowling and composure under pressure, Abir Singh Chadha is one to watch as Mumbai shapes its next generation of fast bowlers.
Uttar Pradesh’s Ranji campaign got a strong push in Kanpur as skipper Karan Sharma and wicketkeeper-batter Aaradhya Yadav stood tall against Odisha, turning an early stumble into total command.
Odisha, batting first, managed 243 runs steady but far from imposing. UP’s bowlers, led by tidy spells across the attack, kept things under control and set up the perfect platform for their batters.
The chase didn’t start smoothly. UP were 45 for 2, the top order rattled by Odisha’s disciplined bowling. But then came the stand that changed everything.
Karan Sharma walked in with his usual calm and began to rebuild. Aaradhya Yadav joined him soon after, and together they turned pressure into opportunity. The two shared a match-defining partnership of 200-plus runs class, patience, and timing all on display.
Karan brought up a captain’s century, finishing with 121, steering his team with authority and maturity. Aaradhya was equally impressive, reaching his maiden hundred (101*) before retiring hurt, but not before showing the kind of composure that defines good red-ball players.
Their partnership pushed UP’s total beyond 380, securing a first-innings lead that all but ruled out an Odisha comeback.
Rain, though, had other plans. Persistent showers and bad light on the final two days denied UP a chance to push for an outright win. The match eventually ended in a draw, but the performance of Sharma and Yadav stood out—two players leading from the front when it mattered most.
For Uttar Pradesh, this game was less about the result and more about intent. Their skipper showed why he’s trusted at the helm, and Aaradhya Yadav’s century added another promising name to UP’s growing list of dependable batters.
The partnership wasn’t just about runs it was about control, confidence, and the calm assertion that UP are a team to watch this season.
In a nail-biting contest between Sanjeevani Cricket Academy and DSCA, the Sanjeevani boys held their nerves to clinch a 5-run victory in a 40-over encounter.
After losing the toss, Sanjeevani Cricket Academy was put in to bat first. Their top order delivered in style, led by Shreyash Khilare, who continued his fine form with a magnificent 112 off 81 balls, hitting 13 fours and 3 sixes. His fluent stroke play and calm temperament set the tone for the innings as Sanjeevani posted a competitive 252/5 in 40 overs.
Chasing 253, DSCA fought hard but couldn’t get past the disciplined bowling attack of Sanjeevani. Aarav Zagde was the star with the ball, picking up 4 wickets in 8 overs and turning the game in his team’s favor during the crucial middle overs. Despite a late surge from DSCA’s lower order, Sanjeevani managed to restrict them and secure a thrilling win by just 5 runs.
Head Coach Satish Samant praised the team’s collective effort and the composure shown under pressure. With players like Shreyash and Aarav stepping up consistently, Sanjeevani Cricket Academy continues to establish itself as one of the most promising academies on the circuit.