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Ranji stars shine as Kanga action starts
MUMBAI: The maidans across Mumbai were bubbling with enthusiasm as action-deprived cricketers finally took the field for the first match of the Dr HD Kanga Cricket
MUMBAI: The maidans across Mumbai were bubbling with enthusiasm as action-deprived cricketers finally took the field for the first match of the Dr HD Kanga Cricket League on Sunday after witnessing five washouts since July.
Many Mumbai players from the 41st Ranji Trophy-winning team turned up for their respective clubs, which added to the excitement. And the first-class cricketers did not disappoint.
Akhil Herwadkar, who was the second highest run-getter in the last Ranji season, starred with 4-15 and 45 along with his Mumbai teammate Harmeet Singh (5-39) in Payyade Sports Club’s win on the basis of first innings against Fort Vijay CC. Herwadkar and Harmeet shared nine wickets between them to bowl out Fort Vijay for 87 in the first innings. Payyade SC scored 123 for three declared with Omkar Khanvilkar smashing 48 and Herwadkar 45.
Left-arm spinner Vishal Dabholkar claimed 10 wickets in the match as Parkophene Cricketers beat Muslim United Sports Club on first innings basis. Dabholkar finished with 7-12 in the first innings and 3-12 in the second outing.
Iqbal Abullah and Shoaib Shaikh played crucial roles in DY Patil Sports Academy’s win over New Hind Sporting Club at Matunga’s Dadkar Maidan. Iqbal, who claimed 3-34 on Sunday, would be hoping to cement his place in the playing XI of the Mumbai Ranji team through his performances in this season of the Kanga League.
Kevin Almeida, who represented the Mumbai team in their opening Ranji Trophy encounter in 2014, slammed 46 in MIG Cricket Club’s win over Greater Mumbai Police SC.
Brief scores: ‘A’ Division: Shivaji Park Gym: 201/7 decl (Shams Mulani 61, Pranav Menon 51*) drew with Parsee Gymkhana: 46/1; Fort Vijay: 87 (Rahul Lad 34; Harmeet Singh 5/39, Akhil Herwadkar 4/15) & 37/5 (Mohd Amir 3/7) lost to Payyade CC: 123/3 decl (Akhil Herwadkar 45, Omkar Khanvilkar 48) on first innings lead; New Hind SC: 155 (Kalpesh Sawant 40; Iqbal Abdullah 3/34, Karsh Kothari 4/70) lost to DY Patil SA: 162/5 (Shoaib Shaikh 41, Yogesh Pawar 39; Kalpesh Sawant 3/39) on first innings lead; Mumbai Police: 120 (Vinit Dhulap 5/18, Vijay Gohil 3/34) & 35/5 decl (Vinit Dhulap 4/6) lost to MIG: 129/2 decl (Kevin Almeida 46, Sumit Ghadigaonkar 34) on first innings lead; Karnatak SA: 49 (Bhargav Mehta 4/12) & 57/0 decl (Harshad Rawle 33*) lost to Sind SC: 56/7 decl (Akshay Girap 4/9) on first innings lead; Muslim United SC: 44 (Vishal Dabholkar 7/12) & 75/5 decl (V Dabholkar 3/12) lost to Parkophene Cricketers: 68/1 decl on first innings lead.
