LEG-SPINNER Shantanu Chikhale continued with his fine run in the tournament returning with yet another five-wicket haul for Navniketan Cricket Club but Ministerial Services Sports Club (MSSC) tail frustrated them in final of the VCA-organised Dr MN Dorairajan Invitation Cricket Tournament at VCA Civil Lines Ground on Thursday. Electing to bat, defending champions were bailed out by their tail on opening day of the three-day summit clash. Once 172-6, MSSC managed a decent 381 before getting all out in 87.4 overs. Among their top five, Vidarbha’s mainstay Yash Rathod was the only one who came up with a fifty. He made an attacking 89 that came from just 64 balls and contained 12 hits to the ropes and three sailed over it. MSSC openers Gaurav Nikam (1) and Aniket Pande (11), who struck two fine boundaries during his brief stay, were back in the hut soon. Pratham Maheshwari (16-2-49-3) and Virendra Patel (1-48) accounted for one opener each.

 

Vedant Jajoo (47; 84b, 5x4, 1x6) was joined by Rathod and the duo took the score to 148 adding 136 runs for the third wicket. Three wickets within four runs pegged them back again. After Maheshwari trapped Jajoo lbw, Chikhale (23-0-105-5) gave a double blow getting rid of Sahil Sheikh for a three-ball duck and then Rathod in successive overs. Skipper Mandar Mahale (6) also did not last long and was adjudged out lbw to Chikhale. Stumper Shivam Deshmukh (46; 112b, 3x4) and all-rounder Nachiket Bhute (46; 56b, 5x4, 2x6) played contrasting knocks adding 68 runs. Chikhale went on to dismiss both to complete his With scorecard showing 257-8, it looked bleak for MSSC but southpaw all-rounder Sooraj Rai (65; 85b, 3x4, 3x6) and number ten Rahul Dongarwar (58; 70b, 6x4, 1x6) displayed maturity with the willow and frustrated Navniketan bowlers. Both completed well-deserved half centuries stitching an important 120 runs partnership for the ninth wicket. Finally, Maheshwari broke the partnership having Rai caught by Saras Nerkar. Soon, Dongarwar was out to the combination of Faiz Sheikh and bowler Varun Palandurkar.