Merchant XI fight back after early loss of wickets

At stumps,Merchant XI were 184 for 6,still 97 runs behind their rivals who started at their overnight score of 232 for 8 before losing their remaining two wickets for the addition of 49 runs. Merchant XI were undone by Manjrekar XI skipper Akarshit Gomel,who followed up his ton on the first day with a two- wicket haul with his left-arm spin,and medium-pacer John Abraham (2-28) before staging the recovery.

In the other round robin match,Vaibhav Javkar’s 75 off 156 balls with six fours and his seventh wicket partnership with Manan Khakkar (22 off 96 balls) took Datu Phadkar XI beyond the 300 mark in their first innings against Khandu Rangnekar XI.

Openers Vaidik Murkar (44) and Sameer Durgude (40) had laid the foundation while number four Arman Jaffer (95) and number five Ninad Kadam (43) kept up the momentum on day one. Rangnekar XI were 241 for 5 in reply at close,still 119 runs behind in the first innings.

Opener Jaideep Pardesi slammed 77 off 85 balls with 11 boundaries,while number five Vikrant Auti (65 not out) remained unconquered at close. Rangnekar XI captain Sanket Jadhav made his presence felt with the bat (33 off 75 balls) after his stint of 4 for 71 with his off-breaks.

Brief scores

Vijay Manjrekar XI 281 in 93.5 overs (Akarshit Gomel 113,Jay Bishta 36,John Abraham 40; Shivam Mishra 3-53,Yashraj Waghela 3-61) vs Vijay Merchant XI 184-6 in 70 overs (Rohan Mhapankar 83 no,Atif Attarwala 34 no; Akarshit Gomel 2-17,John Abraham 2-28); Dattu Phadkar XI 360 in 119.2 overs (Arman Jaffer 95,Vaibhav Javkar 75,Vaidik Murkar 44,Ninad Kadam 43,Sameer Durgude 40; Mahesh ankpal 5-67,Sanket Jadhav 4-71) vs Khandu Rangnekar XI 241-5 in 59 overs (Jaideep Pardesi 77,Vikrant Auti 65 no,Sanket Jadhav 33; Aishwarya Surve 2-36).