Siddhesh Wath with a match-winning 145 not out carried his team Medical Representative Cricket Club (MRCC) to a thrilling three-wicket victory over Ministerial Services Sports Club (MSSC) in the VCA-conducted Guzder League ‘A’ Division One-Day Cricket tournament.
In an exciting summit clash played at the VCA Jamtha ground on Tuesday, MRCC won the toss and invited MSSC to bat first.
Jitesh Sharma found some form and slammed 92 runs off just 73 balls to help MSSC to post a challenging total of 279 all out in 49.4 overs. Sharma’s quick-fire knock propelled MSSC to amass a strong total.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Sharma top-scored with 92 hitting nine boundaries and five sixes. After losing in-form Anshuman Rath (1) and captain Akshay Kolar (23) with 82 runs on board, Sharma and Yash Rathod (65, 84b, 5×4) added 68 runs for the third wicket. Mohit Raut removed Sharma, who missed his ton by just eight runs. Mandar Mahalle didn’t last long (10). Thus after losing half of the side for 65, Yash Rathod and Rushabh Rathod (49, 42b, 4×4, 3×6) played sensibly and ensured their team to cross 250-run mark.
For MRCC, Shubham Kapse (4 for 56) was the most successful bowler. He was well supported by medium-pacer Aditya Thakare (2 for 40).
However, MRCC reached the target on the first ball of the penultimate over. MRCC scored 282 for the loss of seven wickets in 48.1 overs. Siddhesh Wath single-handedly guided his team to triumph with a sparkling knock of 145 not out. He treated all the MSSC bowlers with disdain and played strokes all over the ground. Wath hammered unbeaten 145 off 143 balls. His knock was studded with 20 boundaries. Other batsmen including Apoorv Wankhede (28), Mohit Raut (27) and Darshan Nalkande (15) also played well around him and gave him good company.
For MSSC, Mehul Raikwar and Sanket Subhedar scalped two wickets each.
Wath emerged as the highest scorer of the tournament with 567 runs hitting two centuries and three half-centuries in ten matches. He was followed by Anshuman Rath (521) and Kshitij Dahiya (517). Among the bowlers, Harsh Dubey of Eleven Star was the highest wicket takers. He pocketed 23 in nine matches. Sooraj Rai of MSSC (20) and Nachiket Parande of Advocate XI (18) also excelled with the ball.
Brief scores
MSSC 279 all out in 49.4 overs (Jitesh Sharma 92, Yash Rathod 65, Rushabh Rathod 49; Shubham Kapse 4 for 56, Aditya Thakare 2 for 40) lost to MRCC 282 for 7 in 48.1 overs (Siddhesh Wath 145 not out, Apoorv Wankhede 28, Mohit Raut 27; Mehul Raikwar 2 for 54, Sanket Subhedar 2 for 46) by three wickets.
Top 3 best performers of the tournament
Batting
1. Siddhesh Wath (MRCC): 10 matches. 10 innings. 567 runs. Average: 63. HS: 145 not out. 100: 2. 50: 3.
2. Anshuman Rath (MSSC): 10 matches. 10 innings. 521 runs. Average: 65.12. HS 138. 100: 1. 50: 5.
3. Kshitij Dahiya (AIR): 7 matches: 7 innings. 517 runs. Average: 129.25. HS: 193 not out. 100: 1. 50: 4.
Bowling
1. Harsh Dubey (XI Star): 9 matches. 23 wickets. Average: 17.13. Best: 5-28.
2. Sooraj Rai (MSSC): 10 matches. 20 wickets. Average: 18.4. Best: 5-44.
3. Nachiket Pande (Advocate XI): 8 matches. 18 wickets. Average: 18.78. Best: 5-67.
