Kanga League: Islam Gym, Kevin, Darekar shine on rainy Sunday

Kevin D’Almeida

Sunday's Dr HD Kanga Cricket League witnessed a couple of abandoned matches and quite a few draws in Division ‘A', as rain and sunshine tested the patience and temperament of players. Most games began after lunch.

At Cross Maidan, Islam Gymkhana beat hosts Karnatak Sporting Association (KSA) by virtue of a first-innings lead in a game that started at 1.20pm. Put into bat, KSA were bowled out for 58 in 37.1 overs, with left-arm spinners Abhay Patel (4-15) and skipper Vinayak Bhoir (3-29), along with off-spinner Ajit Yadav (2-6), doing the damage.

In reply, Islam reached 62-5 in 15.4 overs, taking the lead with just a couple of minutes remaining for stumps. Opener Amogh Bhatkal scored 25 off 37 balls, while Yadav remained unbeaten on 25 off 31.

Payyade SC's Akshay Darekar during their match vs MB Union CC on Sunday; (right) Victory CC's Jay Bista unfurls a shot during his 90 against New Hindu CC on Sunday. Pics/Ashish Raje

Bhoir credited the bowlers for the win. "Our bowlers did well to get them all out for 58. Our batters then chased the target quickly as we had very little time. I hope our performance gets noticed by Mumbai's selectors," Bhoir, who has taken 11 wickets and scored 102 runs in three Kanga League games this season, told mid-day.

At Islam Gymkhana, skipper-opener Jay Bista's attacking 90 off 64 balls (9x4, 5x6) helped Victory CC declare at 174-6 against New Hindu Cricket Club. However, Victory had to settle for a draw after New Hindu reached 98-5 at stumps, with opener Sachin Rao scoring 58.

Bista, who missed out on a century after hitting two successive sixes off pacer Harsh Darji (3-71), said: "It was a good knock, just that I missed a century by 10 runs. It was a curtailed match, so I was trying to score as fast as I could and bowl them out, but it ended in a draw."

At PJ Hindu Gymkhana, the hosts missed out on a first-innings win despite left-arm spinner Rahul Sawant's 8-55 off 12 overs. New Hind Sporting Club were bowled out for 130, after which PJ Hindu scored 93-7 at stumps.

At MIG CC, Parkophene Cricketers skipper Kevin D'Almeida hit an unbeaten 100 as his side declared at 145-8. MIG CC replied with 17-1. Meanwhile, ex-Maharashtra captain and their current Ranji Trophy selection committee chief Akshay Darekar did well in a Division ‘C' game at Cross Maidan. Leading Payyade SC vs MB Union CC, Darekar claimed 3-32, while Dhruv Sharma took 3-28 as MB Union declared at 177-8. Adarshkumar Singh remained unbeaten on 53. Payyade SC finished on 64-4.