Manjrekar XI clinch title

MUMBAI, OCT 14: Vijay Manjrekar XI kept their date with glory by clinching the 13th edition of the Sportstar Trophy with a thumping innin...

MUMBAI, OCT 14: Vijay Manjrekar XI kept their date with glory by clinching the 13th edition of the Sportstar Trophy with a thumping innings and 39 runs victory over Khandu Rangnekar XI at the Elf-Vengsarkar Academy this morning.

Victory was imminent for Manjrekar XI when they began the day as Rangnekar XI were reeling at 58-7 in their second innings, needing another 97 runs to make the opposition bat again.

Saiban Faki 39 not out and Amit Kadam 16 delayed Manjrekar XI8217;s victory by stringing a 48-run stand for the eighth wicket. But once Kadam departed it was curtains for Rangnekar.

The scene was different at Brabourne Stadium where Vijay Merchant XI batsmen put up a defiant show and to overhaul Dattu Phadkar8217;s first innings score of 234.

Resuming the day at 160-7, Merchant XI batsmen were served well by tail-enders Shakti Prasad 28 not out and Surendra Yadav 10. The duo added 16 valuable runs as Merchant XI surged ahead of their rivals8217; total and swelled their points tally. Merchant XI finished second with 15 points in their kitty.

Former Indian wicket-keeper Chandrakant Pandit who was the chief guest at the concluding day8217;s function presented the trophy to Sushant Manjrekar, skipper of the triumphant Manjrekar XI.

Merchant XI8217;s left-arm spinner Shakti Prasad, who claimed 16 wickets in the event was adjudged player of the tournament while Padmanabh Kulkarni was presented the Bal Mahadalkar fielder of the tournament award worth Rs 1001.

Brief Scores

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Vijay Manjrekar XI 286-7 decl bt Khandu Rangnekar XI 131 amp; 116 Saiban Faki 39 not out; Uday Karkera 2-17, Aalap Ghag 2-37, Sameer Bandarkar 3-13 by an innings and 39 runs.

Dattu Phadkar XI 234 drew with Vijay Merchant XI 239-9 Abhijit Shetye 32, Vaibhav Dhokre 31, Shakti Prasad 28 not out; Wilkin Mota 4-43.

Final Points Tally

Vijay Manjrekar XI 19 points, Vijay Merchant XI 15, Khandu Rangnekar XI amp; Dattu Phadkar XI six points each.

Player of the tournament

Shakti Prasad

Age: 17 years

Left-arm spinner, right-hand bat

School: Std X, Tulsi Manas HS, Parel

Achievements: 16 wickets, including two five wicket hauls in the just concluded under-19 Sportstar Trophy; highest wicket-taker 21 in the under-16 Shatkar Trophy 1997-98

Trains at: Elf-Vengsarkar Academy

Coaches: Prakash Sant, Uday Bhosale

Idols: Sunil Gavaskar, Bishan Singh Bedi