Omkar Patil shines with bat, ball

Photo: Mukund Bhute

Omkar Patil is being caught by pointsman (not in pic)

B D Narayankar

bapun@sakalherald.com

PUNE: Though match ended in a draw, Omkar Patil delighted cricket-lovers with sheer display of arrogance both with bowl and bat in the drawn match between Cadence Cricket Academy (CCA) and Gudge XI in MCA Under-19 Invitation Super League Tournament played at Yerawada Jail Ground here on Thursday.

Continuing from where he had left, bagging three wickets for eight runs, Omkar ripped apart the rest half of Gudge XI batsmen with six-wickets haul for 45 runs.

Contrary to the overnight wicket condition when the ball was doing a bit on the first day even towards evening, Omkar sooner realized that batting was easy on the second morning and hence adjusted his bowling and sent the balls on right spots. That paid of, when he sent Ketan Pavagi into the hut trapping him plumb for 38. He could only add four to his overnight score.

Omkar then trapped wicketkeeper Bahua, but not before claiming Pinak Parkhi’s wicket. He, however, could not stop Gaurav Sonawane (67) and Pranil Moharkar ‘s (35) onslaught, who posted Gudge XI to a respectable 178 all out in 51 overs, avoiding a follow on.

When Cadence came into bat for the second time, it was clear from their approach that they wanted to set up a target for the opponent’s to make something out of the match.

Opener Chintan Pashankar set the ball rolling scoring boundaries in front of the wicket and square-cutting at occasions. He made a strokeful 41 runs studded with seven boundaries.

Now it was the turn of Omkar to launch the blitzkrieg. This time with his bat He did that with two towering pull-shots over square-leg umpire first up. He scored a quickfire 42 with eight boundaries and a six after being holed out at point of Pranil Moharkar.

Cadence declared their innings on reaching 141 for four leaving 211 (70 runs first innings lead) target to get in 27 overs.

Gudge XI openers picked up the challenge. Both Pranav Mehta and Akshay Akhud scored runs at 8 runs per over.

As soon as they both got out, making 21 and 26 respectively, there was no interest left with Gudge tottering at 65 for three.

After mutual consent, both captains called off the match just before the commencement of mandatory overs.

Cadence were declared winners of the match on the basis of their first innings lead.

SCORES: Grudge I Innings Overnight: 56 for 4: 178 all out in 51 overs (Gaurav Sonawane 67, Omkar Patil 6 for 45); Cadence II Innings: 141 for 4 dec in 21 overs (Chintan Pashankar 41, Omkar Patil, 42); Gudge II Innings: 65 for 3 in 11 overs (Akshay Akhud 26, Pranav Mehta 21, Nitish Salekar 2 for 6) Result: Match drawn (Cadence declared winners on first innings lead)