Railways opted to bat first against the domestic giants Mumbai in their last league match of the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
In form opener Shivam was dismissed cheaply, the early wicket was followed by two 100 run partnerships and a strong finish that saw 83 runs coming of the last 7 overs. Pratham Singh scored 109 (108) against one of the best bowling line ups in the domestic circuit, that would surely boost his confidence before the Ranji trophy. Mohd Saif also rose to the occasion with 92 (77) and skipper Karn Sharma finished with a quickfire 31 (9)* taking Railways to 337-5.
Mumbai got off to a decent start with Prithvi Shaw scoring 51 (47), Veteran Ajinkya Rahane scored 88 (82) and the man for the big occasions Sarfaraz Khan again knocked the selectors doors scoring 117 (94), Shams Mulani scored a handy 46 (31), this helped Mumbai chase down the total with 9 balls to spare. Susheel Kumar showed some promise from the Railways line up picking up 3-53 on a batting wicket.
Indian Railways has been narrowly relegated from the Vijay Hazare Trophy. The team are looking forward to the upcoming Ranji Trophy challenge.
Summary
Railways 337-5 (50)
Pratham Singh 109 (108)
M Saif 92 (77)
Mumbai 338-5 (48.3)
Sarfaraz Khan 117 (94)
Ajinkya Rahane 88 (82)
Susheel Kumar 3-53
Sachin Tendulkar XI pipped Rohit Sharma XI by just 2 runs in U-16 Payyade Trophy. After winning the toss, Sachin Tendulkar XI elected to bat first and were bowled out for just 174 in the 58th over. Wicketkeeper Harshil Rathi contributed massively with 73 runs batting for more than 20 overs himself. Kavya Gori’s spell of 4 wickets in 18.5 overs.
In reply, Rohit Sharma XI narrowly avoided a first innings deficit as they scored 187. Opener Abhinav Saha’s anchoring 65 made sure his team just pass the first innings score. He was well supported by his opening partner Abhigyan Kundu (43 off 37) in the initial stages. Mann Bhanushali’s exceptional spell of 4/25 in his 10 overs ensured the his opponents do not fall far from the tree. Mann managed to claim 4 of the top 5 batsmen including the priceless wicket of Abhinav.
Tendulkar XI fared well in the second innings as they scored a competitive total of 219. Aditya Vishwakarma scored and enigmatic 63 in just 73 balls hammering 4 boundaries and 3 sixes. On the bowling side, A super spell by Agasthya Bangera saw him scalp 5 wickets in grueling 21 overs. Because of his contribution, Rohit Sharma XI were in contention for win.
Jaineel Nanda (58 off 54) and Agasthya Bangera (40 off 61) were the only two batters who could muster some performance against the Tendulkar XI bowlers in the final innings. Chasing a modest total of 206,Sharma XI were dismissed for a 204. Even after painfully coming close to a win, Sharma XI lost out by just 2 runs.
On November 20, KSG Superkings took on KSG Champions at Payyade Ground in Mumbai during the KSG (Kapol Sports Group) 40-40 Cup.
Batting first, KSG Superkings posted a daunting total of 297 in 40 overs. Jash Gandhi starred with the bat as he muscled a power-packed 82 off 61, including 10 fours and two sixes. Gandhi came into bat at number seven and steered his team to a challenging score. On the other hand, KSG Champions’ Mitesh Parekh was the pick of the bowlers as he scalped 43/3 in six overs.
In reply, KSG Champions were bundled out for a paltry 119 in 22.4 overs as Tejas Goradia wreaked havoc with the ball. KSG Champions lost the game by 178 runs. Goradia claimed 19/5 in 5.2 overs, including one maiden. Early in the day, he opened the batting and scored 14 off 26, hitting a couple of boundaries. On the other hand, Chirag Doshi (14) and Parag Mehta (17) fought hard but failed to see their side home. They were the only two players to score in double-digits.
KSG Superkings’ Tejas Goradia won the player of the match for his all-round performance.
The Centurion Cricket Academy recently conducted a selection trials with a noble intent for cricketers from all age groups at Manohar Joshi College. The academies goal was to provide young budding cricketers with ample opportunities to excel and create a good cricketing career for themselves. The selected batch will not be charged a penny as the coaching services will be free of cost. Centurion Cricket Academy has been in existence in the Mumbai circuit since 2010. With 12 years of mileage, they are one of the reputable academies in the city. Previously located in Andheri, the academy was shifted to the Manohar Joshi College at Sion making it accessible for players to commute anywhere from Mumbai.
The selection trials was supervised by Centurion Cricket Academy’s head coach, Jitesh Tank. Tank is a seasoned player in the cut-throat competitions of Mumbai. Before heading the academy full time, Jitesh was a part of the Kolkata Knight Riders Academy, being one of the net bowlers in the 2021 IPL season. He has supreme experience of working closely with coaches of the caliber of Abhishek Nayar, Pravin Tambe, Omkar Salvi and also had privilege of sharing the field with Dinesh Karthik and Rabin Uthappa.
With multiple coaching courses under his belt, the capable Jitesh Tank managed the trials to utmost excellence. By the end of the selection, Centurion Cricket Academy picked 28 players across all age groups to practice and flourish for a duration of 6 months with an access to the coaching team of Centurion Cricket Academy. They will have an opportunity to train with top division cricketers in Mumbai practicing under Tank.
In the Mega Corporate League T20 a high scoring fixture took place between Reliance Industries and Sparkles at Karnatak Cc, Cross Maidan .
Winning the toss and electing to bat first Reliance Industries put on a mammoth total of 254 in 20 overs for the loss of a solitary wicket. Opener Shubham Punnarthi 113 off 63 and Number 3 batsman Mayuresh Tandel 123 off 56 pulled off a massive 233 runs off 116 balls 2nd wicket partnership. All the Sparkle bowlers were taken for the cleaners by the 2 in form batsmen.
Strength, heart and perseverance define the game of cricket, however, for Sagar Mishra, these adjectives transform into his attributes. With myriad records in his pocket, the versatile cricketer flaunts his dexterity while bowling and batting but is yet to make his much awaited return to the Mumbai Ranji Trophy team.
Sagar has been consistent in retaining his locus since 2019. He emerged as the highest wicket-taker of the Police Shield picking up 23 wickets in the competition. He was honored as the Man of the Series (Police Shield). He scored a half-century against MIG and also picked up a 4 wickets in the game. He became the second-highest wicket-taker in the 2019-202 Kanga League. He picked up three times 4 wicket haul consecutively against Islam Gymkhana, Regal CC, and PJ Hindu Gymkhana. Scoring 121 runs and 4 wickets against Dadar Union in the Comrade Shield, the all- rounder set his pace before the pandemic.
Post the disastrous covid pandemic, in the 2020-2021 season witnessed determined efforts by Sagar on the field. In the first Police Shield one-day tournament match, the all-rounder scored 81 runs and picked up 5 wickets against Mumbai Police. He scored half a century and a 3-wicket haul in the second match against CCI. In 3 games, he already had 200 runs and 9 wickets to his name. He employed his skillful abilities in the Talim Shield. The cricketer effortlessly scored 110 runs and picked up 6 wickets against Victory CC and 114 runs with 2 wickets in his pockets, in the Purshottam Shield.
Sagar dominated the 2021-2022 season. It was a field filled with opportunities. Initially, in the Vijay Hazare selection match, he scored 130 runs in 114 balls. Mishra was finally called upon in the Mumbai squad for the Vijay Hazare but unfortunately never got a chance to play in the starting eleven.
In the finals of the Purshottam Shield, the batsmen from both teams enjoyed their outings as a total of a mammoth 872 runs were scored in the game. A highly anticipated finals between two titans didn’t disappoint. Victory CC convincingly defeated the MIG with a supreme performance with the bat.
Victory CC won a crucial toss and elected to bat first. Jay Bista took the charge and hammered an emphatic 169. He had a massive partnership with Yash Nahar who also notched up a century of his own, scoring 128. Amey Soman and Kaushik Chikhalikar also contributed crucial half centuries as Victory CC scored an unassailable total of 505 losing 7 wickets in 45 overs. Gaurav Jathar did his best with the ball but could scalp only 3 wickets. With a target of 505, Victory CC already had one hand on the shield by the end of the first innings.
It was MIG’s turn with the bat. Om Keshkamat high scored with 81 as Ashay Palkar stayed not out with 62 in the end. There were numerous other 30-40 contributions but unfortunately they weren’t enough and MIG were short by 138 runs. Although they ended on the losing side, MIG’s efforts in the runchase were commendable as even they crossed the 350-run mark.
With numerous batting performances, the bowler of the day was certainly Rishabh Karwa. Karwa bowled an impressive spell of 4/69 in 10 overs. In a high-scoring match like this, a spell like this has definitely raised eyebrows.
The white-ball Purshottam Shield concluded with the Victory CC lifting the trophy. This can be deemed as a successful update for the tournament from its traditional one and a half day format.
Toss: Victory Cricket Club won the toss and elected to bat
Result: Victory Cricket Club won by 138 runs
Victoy Cricket Club- 505/7 in 45 overs
(Jay Bista 169, Yash Nahar 128, Amey Soman 60, Kaushik Chikhalikar 55, Gaurav Jathar 3/97)
M.I.G. Cricket Club- 367/10 in 40.5 overs
(Om Keshkamat 81, Ashay Palkar 62*, Gaurav Jathar 41, Shreyas Gurav 40, Ankush Jaiswal 35, Vedant Murkar 34, Sheesh Shetty 33, Rishabh Karwa 4/69
In the semi-finals of the Purshottam Shield, Victory CC advanced to the finals as they won the game by 123 runs against Parkophene Cricketers. Victory CC dominated the game from the first ball itself. After electing to bat, they set a mammoth target of 356 to chase for Parkophene. Southpaw Jay Jain scored a superb 90 as his name counterpart and Ranji Trophy batter Jay Bista hammered 88 alongside him. Apart from this partnership, Suraj Shinde also contributed crucial 56 runs.
Parkophene Cricketers could muster only 232 in 41 overs. Ninad Kadam scored a fighting 74 but it wasn’t enough. Rishabh Karwa and Vijay Gohil claimed 3 wickets as they won by a margin of 123.
Toss: Victory Cricket Club won the toss and elected to bat
Result: Victory Cricket Club won by 123 runs
Victory Cricket Club- 355/6 in 45 overs
(Jay Jain 90, Jay Bista 88, Suraj Shinde 56)
Parkophene Cricketers- 232/10 in 40.3 overs
(Ninad Kadam 74, Dev Patel 46, Rishabh Karwa 3/53, Vijay Gohil 3/54)
Shivaji Park Youngsters locked horns against Old Podarites Cricket Club in the first round of Cosmopolitan Shield on November 20 at DPC Matunga, Mumbai.
Winning the toss and electing to field first, Shivaji Park Youngsters bowled out Old Podarites Cricket Club for 127 runs in 32 overs. Eklavya Khade was the lone warrior in the fight as he scored an imperious 55 not out off 92 balls. On the other hand, Mustafa Shaikh was the most successful bowler for Shivaji Park Youngsters, as he accounted for 28/3 in nine overs. The left-arm spinner rattled the opposition with his consistent lines and lengths and bowled one maiden over too. Captain Sachin Nag too chipped in with a couple of wickets.
In response, Shivaji Park Youngsters overhauled the target in 26.4 overs with six wickets in hand to knock-out Old Podarites Cricket Club from the competition. Opening batter Maitrik Thakkar led the run chase from the front with a stellar 69 not out off 73 balls. Thakkar hit 10 fours and cleared the boundary rope once. On the other hand, Manas Mukadam was the only wicket-taker for Old Podarites Cricket Club. Mukadam claimed 47/4 in nine overs, including one maiden.
MIG comfortably walked to the finals of the Purshottam Shield as they won by 104 runs against Parel Sporting. Parel SC won the toss and elected to field first but this move didn’t go their way as MIG managed to score a supreme total of 322 in just 45 overs. Wicketkeeper Vedant Murkar hammered an incredible 156 ensuring a massive total for his team. He was well supported by Vishant More who contributed 82 in the process.
With a superior bowling performance, MIG was able to restrict Parel SC to 218 in 45 overs losing 9 wickets. With this victory, MIG went on to face Victory CC in the finals of the Purshottam Shield.
Toss: Parel Sporting Club won the toss and elected to field
Result: M.I.G. Cricket Club won by 104 runs
M.I.G. Cricket Club- 322/8 in 45 overs
Vedant Murkar 156, Vishant More 82, Viraj Gamre 3/45)
Parel Sporting Club- 218/9 in 45 overs
(Sahil Phegade 53, Ashutosh Ghagre 50, Usaid Cutlerywala 31)