The combined outstanding performances from Swapnil Salvi who cracked an unbeaten 163 runs and all-rounder Shubham Ranjane’s 49 runs and 6 wickets for 26 runs was the highlight of defending champions Islam Gymkhana’s 52-runs victory against Souvenir Cricket Club in a thrilling first semi-final of the 72nd Salar Jung Invitation T20 Cricket Tournament, organised by Islam Gymkhana under the auspices of the Mumbai Cricket Association, and played at the Islam Gymkhana ground on Friday.
Shubham-and-Salvi
Islam Gymkhana was sent into to bat, amassed a massive total of 261 runs for 7 wickets in 20 overs, while Souvenir CC was restricted to 209 for 9 wickets from their quota of 20 overs.
The home side suffered initial setbacks, losing both the openers with just 38 runs on the board in 6.1 overs. But, thereafter, Salvi and Ranjane dominated the Souvenir bowlers and scored runs at a rapid pace putting together a 165 runs partnership for the third wicket in 11 overs. Salvi’s hurricane knock came from just 58 balls which included 18 well-executed sixes and eight boundaries, while Ranjane runs came off only 27 balls with four boundaries and three sixes. Opener Salman Ahmed contributed 30 runs, while Ranunaq Sharma claimed 2 for 50 runs.
Chasing a challenging target, Souvenir CC batsmen played positively to try and put up a fight. Opener Eknath Kerkar 36 runs (19 balls, 5x4s, 2x6s) and number 4 bat Gaurav Jathar 58 runs (29 balls, 2x4s, 5x6s) looked set to build the innings, but medium-pacer Ranjane put the brakes taking six wickets in succession from his four overs to seal Islam Gymkhana’s win and their place in the final.
In the second semi-final, last year’s runners-up Muslim United SC take on the formidable Parsee Gymkhana on Saturday morning.
Brief scores: Islam Gymkhana 261 for 7 wickets, 20 overs (Swapnil Salvi 163 (58 balls, 8x4s, 18x6s), Shubham Ranjane 49 (27balls, 4x4s, 3x6s), Salman Ahmed 30 (31 balls (4x4s, 1×6); Raunaq Sharma 2/50) beat Souvenir CC 209 for 9 wickets, 20 overs (Gaurav Jathar 58 (29 balls, 2x4s, 5x6s), Eknath Kerkar 36 (19 balls, 5x4s, 2x6s); Shubham Ranjane 6/26).