MPL: Royals make it a clinical finish

After this,Swapnil Gugale played a sedate knock of 35,which put the innings back on track to an extent. He was supported at the other end by Satyajit Satbhai who made 20 off 23 deliveries. The duo dug their heels in,rotating the strike,and punishing the odd loose ball,which to Raigad’s credit,were few and far between. Gugale was dismissed in the 15th over going for a big hit off Sunil Patel,which was taken by Bhosale in the deep. In the very next over,Satbhai was back in the pavilion,after mistiming a N Salekar delivery.

The rest of the Pratapgad batsmen tried to up the ante in the last few overs,but could not get the boundaries that were so sorely needed at that stage.Among the Pratapgad bowlers,N Salekar took three wickets,skipper Harshad Khadiwale took two,and S Patel one. Khadiwale was the pick of the bowlers,having given just 19 off his four overs.

Raigad began on a confident note,but soon received a jolt when Rohan Bhosale was bowled by Ninad Kamat for 8. Khadiwale soon followed him to the pavilion,dismissed by S Fakih for 18. This brought Sangram Atitkar and Rohit Motwani together at the crease,and the pair laid the base for a successful chase of the Warriors’ total. Atitkar,batting fluently,got 44 off 37 deliveries. Motwani chipped in with a useful 22.

Atitkar was stumped while stepping out to a flighted delivery by Ninad Kamat. Nikhil Paradkar and Hanumant Pujare then finished off the job with over three overs to spare.