The highlights of the Ranjane Cricket Academy-Millennium School clash were an 81-run partnership between openers of the former side and later giving away 40 extras. Backed by the combined score of opening batsmen captain Mitrajeet Nimbalkar (38 unbeaten) and Sahil Abhang (43 not out), Ranjane Cricket Academy team beat Millennium School by 10 wickets in the league match of the Captain Shivrampant Vishnu Damle trophy under-16 inter-club cricket tournament played at the Katariya high school ground, Mukundnagar, on Saturday.
For Millennium things did not started off well after winning the toss and electing to bat first as its players were unable to build any long partnership. The batsmen failed to read the spinners and were nine down with 94 on board in the allotted 20 overs.
The spin attack by Ranjane’s Gaurav Gogavle and Rohan Mandale changed the game to a one-sided affair. Gogavle’s four-over spell of right arm off spin claimed 2 wickets and gave away only 5 runs with two overs being maiden. Mandale’s left arm off spin with extra loop deliveries got 2 wickets for 5 runs.
Aditya Thakkar’s 25 of 47 was the only saving grace for Millennium as the rest failed to remain on the crease for long. Thakkar managed to rotate strike with singles and doubles before he was dismissed at 19.2 overs. The team’s total score of 94, included 40 extras.
Chasing the low score was easy for Ranjane Cricket Academy as Nimbalkar and Abhang build a strong partnership by rotating strikes and hitting timely boundaries.
{{/usCountry}}Chasing the low score was easy for Ranjane Cricket Academy as Nimbalkar and Abhang build a strong partnership by rotating strikes and hitting timely boundaries.
{{/usCountry}}“The ball was coming easily on to the bat so I was just telling my teammate to rotate the strike and pounce on loose deliveries. Abhang provided good support,” Nimbalkar said.
“Many boys of our team are playing their first game. So, they will improve by playing more matches. More exposure will develop their skills on the field,” said Nikhil Rasal, coach of Millennium School.
Millennium skipper Varad Goggi said that the players did not consider rotating the strike and were playing under pressure game putting a low score at the end of their game. “The team needs to improve in all departments as we dropped five catches,” he said.
Later, in the second match of the day, Fun Fitness scored a six-wicket win over Gaikwad XI.