Defending champions Ghatkopar Jets once again proved their supremacy, while beating last year’s finalist Mumbai Police City Riders by 44 runs in the floodlit final of the of the Mitsui Shoji 5-Team Double leg-League here organized by Jwala Sports Foundation and MCC at Police Gymkhana ground at Marine Lines here last night. The winners received the cheque of Rs 70,000 while runners- up had to settle for a cheque of Rs30,000.
Ghatkopar Jets make a happy picture, while posing with chief guest Sri Lankan Test star Chaminda Vaas, after they beat Mumbai Police City Riders in the final of the Mitui Shoji T-20 League
The final was quite a treat for more then 3000 spectators, who came all the way from distant suburbs to see Sri Lankan Test fast bowler Chaminda Vaas turning up for the final of Mitsui Shoji t-20 League..
Inspired by Sri Lankan ex-Test star Chaminda Vaas in their colours, , Ghatkopar Jets did well to put on 194 for five in the allotted 20 overs after being asked to bat first. The difference between the two sides was in the approach of their openers. The Jets’ openers Karan Nandey (48) and Akhtar Shaikh ( 24) rattled up 66 runs off 7.5 overs, while the Police City Riders’ not only the openers, but their top order, barring Shrikant Limbole, had lost seven for 57 before the halfway stage. But for Shrikant’s late outburst, which saw him hitting eight sixes and five fours in his knock of 94 before he was the last man out as they folded up for 150.
Opener Karan Nandey once again was the star performer for the Jets. He not only hit a quickfire 48, he also captured three for 36. His consistent contribution toward his side’s triumph, earned him the Man-of-the-series award. However, the best batsman of the entire league was Shivaji Park Warriors’ opener Shashank Singh, who was the highest run-getter (436), including an unbeaten 107, to be awarded the best batsman of the entire league prize.
Individual prize winners: Best batsman: Shashank Singh (Shivaji Park Warriors).Best bowler: Amit Kadam (Mum Pol.City Riders). Best fielder: Ajinkya Belose (Ghatkopar Jets).
Brief scores: Ghatkopar Jets 194/5 off 20 overs (Karan Nandey 48, Akhtar Shaikh 24, Shivam Dube 58, Sunil Chawary 21) bt Mumbai Polic City Riders 15o all out in 19.4 overs (Shrikant Limbole 94; Vishwakarma Singh 3/20, Ankur Singh 2/14, Akhtar Shaikh 2/31, Karan Nandey 3/36) by 44 runs. Man-of-the-match: Karan Nandey.