Kreishh Gurbaxani, Rayaan Razmi and Sparsh Pherwani made early exits in the Malabar Hill Club-BSAM All India Under-25 Snooker Challenge 3 that got under way with the qualifying rounds yesterday. But, as the youngest cueists in the competition, they won many hearts.

Kreishh (10), who trains under twice Asian champion Yasin Merchant at the Khar Gymkhana, rallied to an exciting 2-1 win in the first round after dropping the opening frame in the best-of-three contest against Hasnain Ajani of Sandhurst Road. He later lost 0-2 in the final qualifying round to Sparsh’s brother Harsh Pherwani.

Meanwhile, Rayaan (11) of lost 1-2 to Khushal Galaiya. Sparsh (14) of Podar International lost to qualifier Shahbaz Khan of Elphinstone CC in straight frames.