Defending champions Parsee Gymkhana look set to defend their crown as they have advanced to the final romping to a five-wicket victory against MIG Cricket Club in a semi-final match of the Nirlon Ltd. sponsored R.F.S. Talyarkhan Memorial Invitation Cricket Tournament 2018-2019, organized by Bombay Gymkhana, under the auspices of MCA and played under floodlights at the Gymkhana’s ground, late on Wednesday evening.
Electing to field first, Parsee Gymkhana restricted MIG Club to a modest total of 153 for seven wickets in their quota of 20 overs. Parsee Gymkhana who had defeated Cricket Club of India in last year’s final, easily chased down the winning target, scoring 155 for the loss of just five wickets and with five balls to spare.
The MIG innings started shakily as their first three batsmen were back in the pavilion back and only 25 runs on the board in four overs.
But, half century knocks from Gaurav Jathar 61 not out (49b, 88m, 4×4) and Swapnil Salvi 53 (33b, 42m, 3×4, 4×6) arrested the slide and rescued the innings with a 75-run association for the fourth wicket in 9.2 overs. That partnership carried MIG Club to 100 for 4 wickets in 13.2, but the remaining batsmen were unable to push the scoring rate and they could only add a further 53 runs before their innings terminated setting the opposition a target of 154 to win.
Parsee Gym’s medium pacers Shubham Ranjane (3/19) and Manish Rao (2/35) were responsible in keeping the rival batsmen under control.
Defending a small total, MIG Club made a positive start when medium pacer Nikhil Date clean bowled Bravish Shetty with the first ball of the innings. However, Aakarshit Gomel (20 runs) and Surya Kumar Yadav 67 runs (48b, 80m, 6×4, 3×6) defied the MIG bowlers adding 52 runs for the second wicket in 6.4 overs. Later, Surya Kumar and skipper Aditya Tare 36 (30b, 48m, 3×4) were involved in a 77 run partnership for the third wicket which put Parsee Gymkhana on the road to victory. Vinit Dhulap (3/18) and Nikhil Date (2/33) were the only successful MIG Club bowlers.
Parsee Gymkhana will clash with the winners of the second semi-final between Cricket Club of India and MCA Colts to be played on Friday.
Brief scores: MIG Cricket Club 153 for 7 wickets, 20 overs (Gaurav Jathar 61 not out (49b, 88m, 4×4), Swapnil Salvi 53 (33b, 42m, 3×4, 4×6); Shubham Ranjane 3/19, Manish Rao 2/35) lost to Parsee Gymkhana 155 for 5 wickets, 19.1 overs (Surya Kumar Yadav 67 (48b, 80m, 6×4, 3×6), Aditya Tare 36 (30b, 48m, 3×4); Vinit Dhulap 3/18, Nikhil Date 2/33).
Result: Parsee Gymkhana won by 5 wickets.