Karnatak Sporting Association (KSA) scored a comprehensive 86 runs victory against MIG Cricket Club to clinch their maiden title in the three-day final of the Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd. sponsored 69th Police Invitation Shield Cricket Tournament – 2016, and played at the Police Gymkhana ground, Marine Drive, on Sunday.
The victorious Karnatak SA team winners of the 69th Police Invitation Shield Cricket Tournament are seen in jubilant mood as they pose with the glittering Trophy along with Chief Guest, Sachin Tendulkar and other dignitaries at the Prize Distribution function.
In an exciting final day’s play, MIG who resumed at their first innings at the overnight score of 341 for 4 wickets, lost a further four quick wickets for the addition of 59 runs in the morning and decided to declare their innings at 400 for 8 wickets in 84 overs, which allowed KSA to gain a healthy 102 runs first innings lead.
KSA in their second essay scored 276 runs for the loss of 4 wickets from their quota of 40 overs. Wicket-keeper batsman Eknath Kerkar smashed another century (123 runs from 109 balls with 8 boundaries and 4 sixes) and Kastubh Pawar made a quick contribution of 90 runs.
Set a target of 379 runs for a win, MIG started in right earnest and by the 10th over had put on 100 runs for the loss of just one wicket. But after the tea break, KSA captain Anup Revendkar made some clever bowling changes which saw MIG lose wickets at regular intervals. Moondeep Mangela (4 for 65) and Shivam Dubey (3 for 51) did the damage. Sumit Ghadigaonkar (56), Siddharth Chitnis (51) and Pratik Dabholkar (46) were the only batsmen to get among the runs for MIG.
Indian cricket legend and batting maestro, Sachin Tendulkar who was the Chief Guest at the Prize Distribution function, presented the victorious KSA team with the Police Invitation Shield Trophy and a cheque of Rs 100,000. MIG received the runners-up trophy and a cheque of Rs 50,000. Mumbai Police all-rounder Hersh Tank was adjudged as the ‘Player of the tournament’ and he received a Trophy and a cheque of RS 11,000.
KSA President, Dr. P.V. Shetty, was overjoyed with the success of his team and announced a reward of Rs 100,000 to his players.
The batting maestro Tendulkar, speaking at the Prize Distribution function said, “I would like to congratulate the organizers for professionally conducting this tournament. I congratulate Karnataka SA for emerging champions. MIG, I am sure you will come back harder and try to regain the title.”
“I readily agreed to come here as the Chief Guest is because of two reasons. First this is one of the important tournaments in the Mumbai Cricket and which has allowed me to grow and second because it’s organized by the Police who protect me off the field. Both the tournament and the police have been an integral part of my life,” the former Indian batting maestro said.
“I recollect that I first played in the Police Shield was when I was in the ninth standard and we were playing against Cricket Club of India which had Milind Rege and Madhav Apte. I managed to get some runs in the match and immediately Apte Sir and Rege made an offer to play for CCI.”
The other dignitaries included Mr. Atul Jain, Director of Jain Irrigation (sponsors of the tournament), Mr. Anup Kumar Singh, Joint Commissioner of Police (Admin), Mumbai, Mr. Deven Bharati, Joint Commissioner of Police (Law & Order), Mumbai, Dr. Pratap Dighavkar, Additional Commissioner of Police, Mumbai and Hon. Secretary, Mumbai Police Gymkhana, Prof Ratnakar Shetty, CAO, BCCI, Dr. P.V. Shetty, Joint Secretary, MCA, Mr. Nitin Dalal, Treasurer, MCA, Mr. Arvind Kadam, Managing Committee member MCA and Mr. Deepak Patil, Joint Hon. Secretary,MPG and Managing Committee member, MCA.
Brief scores : Karnatak Sporting Association: 502 for 7 wickets in 90 overs & 276 for 4 wickets in 40 overs (Eknath Kerkar 123 (Min. 144, Balls 109, 8×4, 4×6), Kastubh Pawar 90) beat MIG Cricket Club (overnight 341 for 4 wickets) 400 for 8 wickets declared, in 84 overs (Sumit Ghadigaonkar 101(Min. 242, Balls-171, 11×4), Omkar Jadhav 83, Sandeep Kunchikor 58, Gaurav Jathar 47, Balkrishna Shirke 44; Vaibhav Mali 3 for 79) and 292 all out in 32.4 overs (Sumit Ghadigaonkar 56, Siddharth Chitnis 51, Pratik Dabholkar 46; Moondeep Mangela 4 for 65, Shivam Dubey 3 for 51). Result: KSA won by 86 runs.
Awards: Winners – Karnatak SA: Police Invitation Shield Trophy and a cheque of Rs 1,00,000. Runners-up – MIG CC: Late Lakhmer Singh Sardar Trophy and cheque of Rs 50,000.
Other awards:
Man of the tournament (Late Niranjan Shah Trophy & Rs 11,000): Hersh Tank (Mumbai Police)
Best batsman of the tournament (Late S.S. Jog Trophy & Rs 7,000): Eknath Kerkar (KSA); Best bowler of the tournament (Late Laxman Dubey Trophy & Rs 7,000): Akshay Girap (KSA).
Best batsman of the final: Shivam Dubey (KSA); Best bowler of the final: Nikhil Date (MIG); Best fielder of the final: Sahil Madgaonkar (MIG). All received a Trophy and a cheque of Rs 5,000 each.