Rajputs beat Ranjane by 6 wickets

Published May 23

B D Narayankar

bapun@sakalherald.com

PASHAN: Chasing 161 runs to win, Rajput Cricket Academy romped home, winning by six wickets against Ranjane Cricket Academy in the Late Kasturi Rangachar Memorial U-19 Cricket Tournament played at NCL Ground on Tuesday.

Rajput openers Rushikesh Ghatkal and Amit Khandulge gave a solid start to their team building 67 runs partnership for the first wicket.

First to go was Ghatkal of Vipul Raut after scoring 31 runs. When the total reached 80, Rajput lost two quick wickets within the span of 10 runs. Amit Khandulge, who was blazing away with 61-glorious runs, involved himself in a run out and Sagar Purkhe threw his wicket trying to send the ball over the ropes. He was stumped of Vipul Raut’s bowling.

When Vaibhav Badave arrived at the crease, things were not looking rosy for Rajputs. But he picked up the challenge and consolidated the innings with his partner Rahul Gaikwad. Both established a match-winning 58 runs partnership for the fourth wicket.

When Badave departed, Rajput were placed at 148 runs needing another 13 runs to win, which Gaikwad and Ganesh Raut got those comfortably.

Batting first, Ranjane Cricket Academy belted 160 for 8 in stipulated 25 overs. They had bad start losing an early wicket when the score read six. Yesterday’s star batsman Suraj Khenat gave a catch of Amit Khandulge’s bowling.

However, Ranjane batsmen put on a 55 runs partnership for the second wicket. Suddenly, the score was looking good at 80 for 2. The good work was further carried on by top-scorer Muddazar Sheikh (80) and Abhijit Ghadge putting on 83 runs for the third wicket. But, the next six batsmen lost their wickets cheaply for 16 runs, of which three were involved in terrible run outs.

SCORES: Ranjane Cricket Academy 160 for 8 in 25 overs (Muddazar Sheikh 80, Shankar Katke 30, Abhijit Rajput 3 for 8) lost to Rajput Cricket Academy 161 for 4 in 23 overs (Amit Khandulge 61, Vipul Raut 2 for 30). WPCA 113 all out in 24.2 overs (Atul Shedge 25, Atul Mulase 2 for 25) lost to Deccan Gymkhana 114 for one in 15.2 overs (Amoth Taskar 48, Avdhoot Dandekar 42 not out)