Living up to their current form and reputation, Medical Representative Cricket Club (MRCC) and Ministerial Services Sports Club (MSSC) stormed into the final of the VCA Guzder League ‘A’ Division One-Day Cricket tournament here on Sunday.
The summit clash between two in-form teams will be played on Tuesday at the VCA Jamtha.
MRCC, who had topped the league stage with 24 points, carved out a facile 29-run win over Indian Gymkhana at the VCA Jamtha ground.
Batting first, MRCC put up a competitive score of 241 all out in 49.3 overs. Siddhesh Wath struck 66 runs in 76 balls to lay the strong platform. The dashing opener slammed eight boundaries and a six. Pawan Parnate (41), Shrikant Wagh (32) and Darshan Nalkande (31) were the major contributors.
For Indian Gymkhana, leg-spinner Azhar Sheikh picked up three wickets while seamer Rajneesh Gurbani and Gourav Dhoble claimed a couple each.
Chasing a stiff target, Indian Gymkhana were bowled out for 212 in 45.8 overs. Amit Paunikar (56, 64b, 7×4) waged a lone battle. Jagjit Sasan (30), Himanshu Joshi (26) and R Sanjay (24) batted well but failed to last long.
Medium-pacer Atharva Taide was the most successful bowler with a four-wicket haul. Shubham Kapse and Mohit Raut chipped in with two wickets apiece.
In the second semi-final played at the VCA Civil Lines ground, MSSC outclassed Eleven Star by 56 runs.
Making first use of the wicket, MSSC scored 201 all out in 49.5 overs. Opener Anshuman Rath played a steady innings of 50 off 104 balls. The in-form batsman smashed nine boundaries. Suraj Rai (30), Yash Rathod (28) and Jitesh Sharma (23) also made useful contributions. For Eleven Star, Harsh Dubey and off-spinner Mohammad Karim pocketed three wickets each.
Despite not being a big target, Eleven Star succumbed under pressure and were skittled out for mere 145 in 45.4 overs. Shalabh Shrivastava (38), Shubham Dube (35) and Mohd Karim (19 not out) offered some resistance but failed to prevent defeat for their side. Prabhviraj Lamba grabbed three wickets while Akshay Wakhare, Suraj Rai and Mandar Mahale picked up a couple of wickets each.
Brief scores
Ground: VCA Civil Lines
Ministerial Services Sports Club 201 all out in 49.5 overs (Anshuman Rath 50, Suraj Rai 30, Yash Rathod 28, Jitesh Sharma 23; Harsh Dubey and Mohd Karim 3 wickets each) beat Eleven Star 145 all out in 45.4 overs (Shalabh Shrivastava 38, Shubham Dube 35, Mohd Karim 19 not out; Prabhviraj Lamba 3 wickets, Akshay Wakhare, Suraj Rai and Mandal Mahale 2 wickets each) by 56 runs.
Ground: VCA Jamtha
Medical Representative Cricket Club 241 all out in 49.3 overs (Siddhesh Wath 66, Pawan Parnate 41, Shrikant Wagh 32, Darshan Nalkande 31; Azhar Sheikh 3 wickets, Rajneesh Gurbani and Gourav Dhoble 2 wickets each) beat Indian Gymkhana 212 in 45.4 overs (Amit Paunikar 56, Jagjit Sasan 30, Himanshu Joshi 26, R Sanjay 24; Atharva Taide 4 wickets, Shubham Kapse and Mohit Raut 2 wickets each) by 29 runs.
