Khaleel’s 7wkts, opener Ravikant Shukla’s 179 and prolific Siddhesh Lad’s ton propel Indian Oil to a win over Central Railway in the Times Cricket Shield 2017
Played at the MIG Cricket Club between Indian Oil Sports Club and Central Railway Sports Association, Central Railways won the toss and elected to field first with an aim of restricting the opposition to a low total.
However, Indian Oil batted well in the 1st innings notching up 335runs in their 1st innings. Even though most of the batsman failed to create any impact, it was their opener Ravikant Shukla who stood tall amongst the bowlers. The southpaw went on to score an elegant and solid looking 179 off 257balls (23fours, 2sixes) at a healthy strike rate of 70 keeping the scoreboard ticking & also surviving from one end as wickets were falling at regular intervals. Middle order bat Aditya Tare looked good for his stoic 66. Left-arm spinner Vinit Dhulap was terrific with the ball as he scalped 5wkts against a quality batting line up. In reply, Central Railway Sports Association were restricted to just 231 runs all out as Indian Oil’s left arm pacer Khalil Ahmed wrecked havoc over the batsman with his impressive line and length. Left arm fast bowlers are a rarity and quality left arm fast bowlers are even more rare and it was just good to see Khalil bowling so well coming up with bowling figures of 7/54 in 21.5 overs.
In the 2nd Innings, Indian Oil again displayed their batting prowess with opener Ravi once again giving a good start with a timely half century while it was Siddhesh who top scored with a ever classy ton in the 2nd innings. Siddhesh took on the bowlers and as always looked really solid and elegant at the same time hitting a deserving 125. In fact Lad was in a different mood that day as he brought his ton in mere 64balls making it one of the fastest of Times Shield this season. Indian Oil batted for 53 overs at 365/7 before the end of the game’s play where they won the match on 1st innings. It was a match dominated by Indian Oil where Ravikant, Siddhesh Lad and Khalil stood out with their individual performances.
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