Formidable Parsee Gymkhana bolstered by the solid batting performances of Nikhil Patil Jr. (unbeaten 154 runs) and Parag Khanapurkar (115 runs) are placed in a commanding position having amassed a huge total of 337 for the loss of six wickets in 61 overs of their 70-over innings against Bombay Gymkhana in a Group-C match at the end of the first day’s play of the Automotive Manufacturing Private Limited-74th Police Invitation Shield Cricket Tournament 2020-2021 and played at the Parsee Gymkhana ground on Saturday.
Shri Hemant Nagrale, Commissioner of Police, Mumbai and Chairman & Chief Patron of Police Invitation Shield presents a flower bouquet to Guest of Honour, Jatin Paranjape, former Test cricketer during the inauguration
Earlier, the tournament was inaugurated by Shri Hemant Nagrale, Commissioner of Police, Mumbai and Chairman & Chief Patron of Police Invitation Shield and in the presence of Guest of Honour, Jatin Paranjape, former Test cricketer, and MCA Executive Committee members, including Hon Gen Secretary Sanjay Naik, and Hon Jt. Secretary Shahalam Shaikh, and other dignitaries at the Police Gymkhana ground.
Addressing the players and dignitaries a modest Nagrale said, “Honestly, I did not know much about this tournament being organized by the Mumbai Police. I learnt that this tournament has a long tradition as it has been conducted since 1947 when India gained its independence. I think it’s worth supporting and organizing this tournament as it provides encouragement to the cricketers and we will ensure this tournament continues forever.”
Shri Hemant Nagrale, Commissioner of Police, Mumbai and Chairman & Chief Patron of Police Invitation Shield is flanked by Mumbai Police team captain Sunil Patil and Karnatak SA captain Ankit Chavan. Also seen is Guest of Honour, Jatin Paranjape, former Test cricketer and MCA Executive Committee members
Paranjpe believes this tournament is the key for Mumbai cricketers to get noticed. “I have played this tournament for many years and we won it for CCI (Cricket Club of India) in 2002. This tournament is very important because it’s like a curtain-raiser for the season. Earlier, the Police Shield at the weekend and Times shield during the week and that’s your red ball preparation for the season, so that’s why this tournament assumes a lot of importance. The Mumbai selectors watch this tournament because it becomes a selection tournament. There is a lot of tradition to it, so even players also look forward to this tournament because there is a lot of history and tradition to it,” Paranjpe mentioned.
“This tournament is very dear for me. That’s because my father, Vasoo Paranjpe used to captain the police team for almost 15-20 years and when I was a kid I had watched my father play this tournament,” Paranjpe further stated.
Reigning champions Payyade Sports Club riding on Sagar Mishra’s unbeaten 93 runs and Aashay Sardesai’s 53 runs managed to score 210 runs for the loss of 5 wickets against New Hind Sports Club.
Meanwhile, Karnatak Sporting Association powered by the century effort of Amey Soman 122 runs and useful contributions from Vinayak Bhoir 44 runs and Manan Khakar 39 runs managed to put up a total of 295 for 8 wickets in 58.2 overs against hosts Mumbai Police Gymkhana.
Brief scores –
Group – A: Payyade Sports Club: 210/5 in 58 overs (Sagar Mishra 93*, Aashay Sardesai 53; Akshay Jambhekar 3/88) Vs New Hind Sporting Club.
Islam Gymkhana: 247 /7 in 64 overs (Kaustubh Pawar 67, Salman Ahmed 61, Neelkanth Parab 34; Darshan Mangukiya 3/38) Vs Automotive Cricket Club (Sponsors XI) .
Group – B: MIG Cricket Club: 328/5 in 57.4 overs (Anand Bais 118, Atharva Ankolekar 99*) Vs Cricket Club of India.
National Cricket Club: 154/9 in 59 overs (Vaishnav Narvekar 38; Rohit Singh 2/20) Vs P.J. Hindu Gymkhana.
Group – C: Parsee Gymkhana: 337/6 in 61 overs (Nikhil Patil Jr. 154*; Parag Khanapurkar 115; Siddhant Singh 3/20) Vs Bombay Gymkhana.
Sainath Sports Club: 226/9 in 57.3 overs (Karan More 40, Yash Chavan 40; Aakash Mishra 3/42, Aaradhya Shinde 3/56) Vs Shivaji Park Gymkhana.
Group – D: Karnatak Sporting Association: 295/8 in 58.2 overs (Amey Soman 122, Vinayak Bhoir 44, Manan Khakar 39; Yogesh Jagtap 3/77) Vs Mumbai Police Gymkhana.
Parkophene Cricketers: 201 all out in 60 overs (Sangram Bhalekar 81*; Aditya Dhumal 4/61) Vs MCA Colts: 11/1 in 3 overs.