Swapnoj century steals show

Earlier, electing to bat, Gavaskar XI found themselves at the receiving end. Off-spinner Mohammad Shoaib (4-35) did most of the damage. Akshay Girap (40: 52b, 4×4, 1×6) and Rakesh Kanojia (34: 6×4) were the only batsmen to offer some resistance.

At Parsee Gymkhana, an interesting duel is shaping up. Dilip Vengsarkar XI staged a fine revival to post a decent 234. In reply, Gundappa Viswanath XI were 71-2 when stumps were drawn for the day.

VengsarkarXI began disastrously losing five wickets for 50 runs. But, Sanil Rane (74: 63b, 148m, 9×4, 1×6) and wicket-keeper Neil Daftary (31) steadied the ship with a 72-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Rohan Sadarjoshi (52 not out: 79b, 82m, 8×4) and tail-ender Mohit Pise provided the second best association of 53 runs for the ninth wicket.

Viswanath XI off-spinners Hrishikesh Puranik and Arif Sansara shard the spoils claiming three wickets each.

Brief Scores

Sunil Gavaskar XI 132 in 35 overs (Rakesh Kanojia 34, Akshay Girap 40 not out; Mohd Shoaib 4-35, Rohan Amladi 2-26, Aditya Kulkarni 2-27) vs Eknath Solkar XI 198-1 in 39 overs (Swapnoj Thakur batting 101, Sahil Kukreja 45, Hiken Shah batting 37).

Dilip Vengsarkar XI 234 in 77.2 overs (Sanil Rane 74, Rohan Sadarjoshi 52 n.o., Neil Daftary 31; Hrishikesh Puranik 3-28, Arif Sansara 3-34) vs Gundappa Vishwanath XI 71-2 (Paul Valthaty 28, Harshad Rawle batting 34)