Going into their second league matches, both SHM and India First Insurance were high in confidence, as both these teams had won their opening encounters with great aplomb. Going by how All Saints pitch behaved on the first day, both Captains were skeptical at the toss, pondering what they will do if they won the toss. On 2nd day as new wicket was used, it certainly created more doubts in the captains mind. India First Insurance , won the toss and decided to field first. SHM being the side they are, began in style, attacking from the ball one. First ball of the match was dismissed by Nanha for a maximum over long off fence. Both Simit and Nanha play like theirs no tomorrow. Going for the leather from ball one. Both batsman gave solid pasting to opening bowlers of India First Insurance. 50 was reached in no time. Simit was first to go being castled by Pushkar. Nana again did it for his team scoring 46 runs of just 18 balls which included 7 fours and 2 sixes. This guy is a real deal. Bat’s and bowls attackingly and is a live wire in the field. A solid asset for any captain and team. After Nana’s departure, Praveen and Sanju carried on the good work as the platform by the opening batsman was there for them to capitalize. Both batsmen very extremely positive in their approach. Running their singles hard, converting them into two’s. And boundary’s and sixes followed continuously.
The new strip turned out to be a belter and batsman were making full use of it. Praveen and Sanju built a good partnership. Praveen was stumped off Wasim’s bowling. Wasim bowled an outstanding spell of 3 overs, 19 runs and 1 wicket. SHM is great side packed with premium allrounders. Hemant, who is a keeper/batsman also bowls with decent pace. He stamped his authority on the proceedings, by scoring a classy 56 runs off just 28 balls. He played with lots of freedom and authority, hitting 4 boundary’s and 4 sixes during his knock. Hemant 46 and Demba 13, kept the momentum going for the SHM innings. If Hemant wouldn’t had not been runout by Sanket, SHM would had surely crossed the 200 run mark. SHM ended their innings on 178 off their 20 overs. A stiff chase indeed for India First Insurance. Sanket 3/30 and 1 wicket bowled with good pace. He was able to extract a lot’s of bounce from good length, which certainly put brakes on the scoring. Rammanna and Wasim were the pick of the bowlers for India First Insurance .
India First Insurance got of to a worst possible start, as their opening batsmen Ajish was caught off the first ball that he faced. Bowler was none other than SHM star all rounder NANHA. Who did a double whammy as he accounted for Javed also who was bowled off an inside edge. Two telling blows by Nanha and India First Insurance were immediately on the back foot. Rammanna was also dismissed soon dragging India First Insurance further into the abyss. But Pushkar who scored 50 runs off 30 balls, entertained all with his elegant and stylish stroke play. He was accumulating runs steadily from one end. Some of the back foot drives through offside and lofted shots that he played were simply orgasmic. He got solid support from other end, as Babli Sharma who scored 29 runs, also played extremely well along side Pushkar. The track had become flat as a board. No side ways movement, no spin and no swing. Batsmen were teeing off at will. Once the ball was past the fielder, it reached boundary line in a jiffy. The quick outfield didn’t help SHM’s cause too.
Babli and Pushkar both got a life each, as SHM fielders couldn’t hold on to a couple of difficult catches. Afternoon cool breeze, flat track, wonderful ground stokes and humungous maximums provided spectators with great viewing treat. Ajish and Babli got out in a quick succession. Nanha hit the bulls eye running out Ajish and Hemant had Babli caught plumb in front. Akhtar and Wasim took over from where their previous batsmen left off. Both played sensibly and attackingly at the same time. Wasim was the accumulator and Akhtar was the attacker. Akhtar sored 50 runs of just 19 balls with 4 fours and 6 sixes. Wasim also remained not out on 22 off 16 balls. None of SHM bowlers other than Nanha were effective on the day. In an high scoring affair India First Insurance edged out SHM quite convincingly. What a run feast and entertainment for all who witnessed it.
All the hoopla and excitement for the Progressive Trophy was worth it’s while I guess. Certainly very intriguing day’s play was witnessed on the first day of the CPC 2019. At All Saints Challengers won the toss and put MP into bat. As usual the All Saint wicket in the morning was little damp and too paced from at least one end. As ball was often stopping and coming onto the bat. Batsman were finding it extremely hard to make stroke play from that end. Shirke blasted 3 boundary’s at the start of MP’s innings. Nice blazing start by MP. But it was short lived as a frenzy of great fielding saw MP lose their top 3 batsmen for next to nothing. Aakash took 2 astounding catches off Ashutosh’s bowling. Ninad also took a blinder at short third to jolt MP’s charge. All in all MP couldn’t get partnerships going. Note worthy contributions by Rahul/35, Shreyas/19, Shirke/26, Brajendra/15 and Harsh 18 took MP to a respectable 123 runs in 20 overs. Ashu took 4 wickets for 25 runs. Certainly a good come back by him after leaking 3 boundary’s in first over. Pratik also bowled an excellent spell but was very unlucky not to get any wickets.
Challengers didn’t get off to a good start as Aakash and Slyvi both were dismissed to mis-timed shots. Pratik and YM were trying to steady the innings but MP bowlers were bowling an excellent line and length backed up buy good fielding, which didn’t allow Challengers to get going in their chase. The leg spinner Nishant was the best bowler for MP. Bowling with good loop and guile, giving away just 12 runs in his 4 overs. Great effort by Mayank too. Giving away just 8 runs in his 3 overs and picked up 2 wickets. Things started looking very gloomy for Challengers. Increasing run rate put extra pressure on their batsman. Same old problem of not rotating the strike, and loosing cluster of wickets cost challengers dearly. Run rate reached above 12 runs per over. Match was good as gone. Satya’s 2 back to back boundary’s made a positive impact on the chase proceedings but as he got out the hope of victory for challengers all but extinguished. Cometh the hour, cometh the man, new boy Satish had other things on his mind. Scoring 38 runs of just 13 balls, studded with 4 sixes, knocked the wind out of MP. The onslaught was very precise. Satish’s body language, didn’t display any tension otherwise as he went about his six hitting spree very casually. Especially the flat six straight over the bowlers head was a classic gem. Last ball, one to win, all the field was brought up. But Satish didn’t panic, he just nudged the ball on the off side and ran like hell for that famous single run, which not only made Challengers win from an impossible situation, but also catapulted Satish to a rising STAR status in CCD ranks. Superb knock by Satish, who was ideally supported by Ashutosh from the other end. A memorable win for Challengers and Satish.
On 29th December numerous records were broken and it was a paisa vasool match for the spectators as KSG team just gave a batting feast to all the people who had come to watch. KSG after electing to bat first at the New Payyade Ground scored the highest ever T20 Total of 299/1 in 20 overs. They were just one run away of achieving the feat of becoming the 1st team in India to score 300 runs in a T20 game! The highest total till now was 260 by Sri Lanka in International T20, 263 in IPL and 273 in Local cricket. Hence KSG surpassed all the records to create a record highest team total which is something they will cherish for years.
The major reason for this successful feat was their opener Umang Shah. The openers Gaurang Parekh (77) and Umang gave a 161 run stand in mere 12 overs while Umang went on to bat till the very end scoring 160* off just 70 balls. The opener was in a different zone altogether smashing 17 fours, 11 sixes & a strike rate of 228.60! Umang scored the fastest hundred in the tournament as he thrashed every bowler not sparing any corners of the Payyade ground. JVPG in reply managed to score only 113/4 as KSG also won by a record margin of 186 runs where in Umang was declared ‘man of the match”
Records Achieved in the Game-
Highest ever t20 total-299/1 in 20 overs
Fastest Hundred-Umang Shah-160* off 70 balls)
Win by a highest Margin in T20’s- By 186 runs
Highest sixes smashes in a single innings by a team- 30 Sixes (KSG) means every 4th ball!
Played between Police Gymkhana and Maharashtra Young Cricketers at the Cross Maidan Ground, Police Gymkhana opted to bat first after winning the toss notching up 241/10 with Harsh Pandey top scoring with 59 runs at the middle order. From the bowlers it was Harsh Salunkhe taking 5/58 in 20 overs with his off-spinners being the pick of the bowlers.
Maharashtra Young Cricketers in reply were all out for 95 runs and again the man who stood out was Harsh Salunkhe with the bat too. Harsh fought it out alone with a gritty 54 off 85 balls (6 fours) at a time when the rest of the batsman struggled to score runs in two digits.
Even though Police Gymkhana team dominated over Maharashtra Young Cricketers, it was Harsh who turned out to be the standout performer in the match.
Played between Stylo Cricket Club and United CC at the Zoroastrian Ground, Stylo CC after being made to bat first scored 277/8 dec in 102.5 overs where in Ashish Pal top scored with 71 runs at no.3.
United CC on the other hand batted for 62 overs scoring 235/3 before the end of the game’s play where the match ended in a draw. Angrish who came at no.3 scored an impressive 101* off 141 balls which had 15 fours as he batted confidently staying unbeaten till the end of the game’s play. Ankrish smashed some proper cricketing shots as he ensured that he anchored his team and kept the scoreboard ticking.
Match 2- ESWA retains Pride cup by Fight back from Suhas Mulik 65(75) in match 2 after being 4 down in 3rd over and disciplined bowling attack by ESWA bowlers lead by Vinay Agrawal (3/28) ensure second straight win for ESWA.
ESWA now lead 5 match series Pride Cup series by 2-0 against Abhinav cricket Cup.
ESWA won the toss and put Abhinav CC to bat who managed 143 in reduced 32 overs match which overs shouldered by young right hander Rutunjay Rahane who scored hard fought 43.
Pace battery Vinay Agrawal, Samir Sawant and Yogesh Poojari never let the opposition to score freely with tight line and length.
Chasing a low tricky target, ESWA top order faltered and were once facing scare of defeat at 4/4 in 2 overs due to Rutunjay Rahane swing bowling who bagged 3/29.
Suhas Mulik talented right hander not only absorbed pressure from Opposition during chase but ensured ticking of scoreboard with graceful strokes. ESWA scored 147 in 30th over and ensured a comprehensive win for ESWA with 4 wickets in hand.
Pramod Nayak speaking to Cricketgraph shared-
“ESWA won Pride cup 2-0. Actually it was 5 match series but we had to cancel rest matches due to other upcoming T20 tournament of mine that is EPL which ESWA organizes. So mutually we have decided to wrap up Series”
Final Score
Abhinav CC – 143- 29.2(32)overs
ESWA – 147/6- 29.1 overs
Man of the match
Suhas Malik
Special award for Match 2
Rutunjay Rahane for All-Round Performance with bat and ball.
Man of Series
Yogesh Poojary for grabbing 6 wickets in 2 matches.
Airoli after being made to bat first managed to score 141/8 in 20 overs with Hemant Baheti top scoring with 45 runs. Mulund bowlers managed to keep a tight hold on the batsman as they did not allow Airoli to cross the 150 run mark.
Chasing 142, Team Mulund were in deep trouble with both their frontline openers falling out for ducks with the score card reading 2/4 in 1.2 overs. However, Amol Khedkar brought some change in the game as he anchored the team to a commanding win. Amol smashed 56 ball 88* which had 16 fours at a strike rate of 157.19 as he single handedly pushed his team toward the victory line.
Mulund won the match by 6 wkts and 2.5 overs to spare with Amol being declared ‘man of the match’
Titans after being made to bat first posted a defendable total of 155/7 in 20 overs thanks to a crucial 34 ball 50* by Navin Rupani at no.7 or else they would have been bundled out for a low total against the tight bowling of the JSW bowlers.
JSW Steel despite losing openers early made sure they took care of the chase as Ishaque Shaikh who came at no.9 went on to score a match winning 89 off mere 53 balls smashing 17 fours at a strike rate of 167.93.
It was his blazing half century which helped JSW chase down the score in just 17 overs with 7 wkts in hand. Ishaque was also declared man of the match for his match winning knock.
Already touted as the future of Indian cricket by many, these two boys Yashashvi and Arman have an appetite to score big hundreds. They have already proved it by scoring consistently across major tournaments and now they shine for Mumbai team vs Andhra in a thriller of a match.
Mumbai team were bundled out in 1st innings for 131 runs thanks to a magical spell by Karthik Raman who took 8/58 for Andhra. Andhra team in reply posted 321 runs for 1st innings putting Mumbai into the backfoot as well as putting the boys under pressure.
However, Mumbai team which is not known to give up easily gave a major fightback in their 2nd innings as they notched up a massive total of 462/6 in 108 overs. Yashashvi Jaiswal and Arman Jaffer coming at no 3 and 4 stitched an epic 277 run stand which shattered Andhra’s hopes of winning the match. Jaiswal remained unbeaten scoring a classy 241* off 280 balls which had 28 boundaries while Arman was equally rock solid in his 217 ball stay at the crease where he scored 147 laced with 19 fours and 3 sixes.
Andhra team were 230/6 at the end of the game’s play where the match which at one stage was looking a clean win for Andhra ended in a draw.
Al-Barkat team batting first at Islam Gymkhana Ground made a team total of 233 runs where in the batsman did dominated at one point but eventually they could not post an imposing total. OLPS School in reply were all out for 167/8 where in most of the batsman struggled to make runs. OLPS batters batted slow but there was only one shining point in their opener Harsh Tathare who remained unbeaten from start to end. Harsh scored 104* off 106 balls (8 fours) at a time when the rest of the batsman were struggling to score runs in two digits.
Harsh now has scores of 122 and 87 in Harris Shield, 208, 61 and 104* in Giles Shield & 117* in the ongoing Ghosh Trophy ‘18.
Even though OLPS lost the match, Harsh has been one impressive player coming out from OLPS School.