Bombay Gym cricket tournament
Surya Kumar Yadav and Shubham Ranjane, both slammed half centuries and brilliant bowling performances from Manish Rao and Balwinder Singh Sandhu were instrumental in defending champions Parsee Gymkhana snatching a tense 9-run victory against Mumbai Police Gymkhana in a thrilling and exciting first round 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 at the Gymkhana’s ground on a chilly and windy Saturday evening.
Put in to bat, Parsee Gym scored 160 for 8 wickets from their stipulated 20 overs and then dismissed the Policemen for 151 in 19.3 overs to clinch a tight win and advance to the semi-finals.
Parsee Gym started shakily losing three wickets with only seven runs on the board in three overs. But, number 3 bat Surya Kumar 55 (43b, 66m, 4×4, 2×6) and Shubham 60 (37b, 58m, 4×4, 3×6) repaired the damage and steadied their innings with a 112 runs fourth wicket partnership. Sidharth Raut (4/10) and skipper Prasad Patil (2/14) were the most successful Mumbai Police bowlers.
Mumbai Police’s chase suffered early setbacks as both the openers were sent back and only 9 runs scored. They continued to slide and half the side was back in the pavilion and were reeling at 51 for 5 in the ninth over. Later, middle order batsman Shikrant Limbole 58 (36b, 61m, 4×4, 3×6) and all-rounder Santosh Shinde 25 (12b, 2×4, 2×6) stitched together a 39-run partnership and provided the Mumbai cops hope of a win. But, Manish Rao (4/17) and Balwinder Singh Sandhu (3/20) got wickets at crucial junctures to steer Parsee Gym to victory.
Mumbai Police were in the hunt but they lost the last four wickets for the addition of nine runs off just 10 balls. Manish got rid of Shinde from the last ball of the 18th over and later Sandhu got rid of the stubborn Limbole on final ball of 19th over. Mumbai Police with two wickets in hand required 11 runs from the final over, but Manish polished off the tailenders dismissing Prasad Patil (2) and Aishwarya Surve (0) to spell doom for the Mumbai cops.
Brief scores: Parsee Gymkhana 160 for 8, 20 overs (Surya Kumar Yadav 55 (43b, 66m, 4×4, 2×6), Shubham Ranjane 60 (37b, 58m, 4×4, 3×6); Sidharth Raut 4/10, Prasad Patil 2/14) beat Mumbai Police 151 all out, 19.3 overs (Shrikant Limbole 58(36b,61m, 4×4, 3×6), Santosh Shinde 25(12b, 2×4, 2×6), Manish Rao 4/17, Balwinder Singh Sandhu 3/20). Result: Parsee Gymkhana won by 9 runs.