14 February,2021 05:51 AM IST | Mumbai | Subodh Mayure
Payyade SC pacer Rohan Raje bowls against Shivaji Park Gymkhana at Shivaji Park during a Poilce Shield game on Saturday. Pic/Ashish Raje
Mumbai cricketers heaved a sigh of relief on Saturday when they set foot on the maidans for their first post-COVID-19 competitive club game in the Police Shield on Saturday.
Though it was not a traditional red-ball, 70-over format game like it used to be in many of the previous 72 Police Shield editions, the players enjoyed the first day of the 45-over format tournament with the white ball, coloured clothing. Some players used the opportunity to send strong reminders to Mumbai selectors that they mean business, while others were just happy to release their frustration caused by the long break.
Former India U-19 World Cup batsman and MCA Colts captain Divyansh Saxena, who managed to score 10 in a losing cause, remarked: "It was a very frustrating period with no club cricket tournaments. Now that cricket has resumed, I hope everything returns to normal."
When asked what could provide motivation now that the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy has been completed and Mumbai team are set to play the Vijay Hazare Trophy in Jaipur soon, Saxena said: "Playing competitive club cricket itself is a big motivation. There is the Mumbai Premier League [MPL] which will happen, so players are looking forward to it and white-ball cricket is my favourite, so it will be good to score runs before the MPL."
Mumbai discard Shubham Ranjane led from the front to hand DY Patil Sports Academy a 199-run win over hosts Islam Gymkhana with a 122-ball 169 (20x4, 7x6). "I have to give them [selectors] a strong reminder. I had performed well in the practice games [Vijay Hazare Trophy selection]," remarked Ranjane, who played the lone game against Delhi in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy last month.
Sponsor XI (DY Patil Group) batsmen Aashay Sardesai (122) and Sumit Ghadigaonkar (105) contributed to their team's six-wicket win over MCA Colts in Navi Mumbai.
Mumbai player Siddhesh Lad (44), all-rounders Musheer Khan (53), Raunaq Sharma (63) and pacer Badre Alalm (5-51) helped Payyade SC beat hosts Shivaji Park Gymkhana by 41 runs. Hailing the resumption of cricket, Ranjane, 26, said, "Club cricket provides the best excitement for us."
Left-arm spinner Karsh Kothari, who claimed 4-49 in DY Patil Sports Academy's win, said: "We had no option but to train at home and watch old videos of bowling performances during the lockdown. It's a new beginning with this tournament and we are all aiming to win the Police Shield."
National CC captain and wicketkeeper-batsman Prathamesh Pawar, 23, who scored 50 in a losing cause against Karnatak SA, remarked: "We missed playing club cricket. This is a platform to showcase our talent. It will be slightly difficult for the players to adjust to the limited-overs format, but it will be a big opportunity as well before the MPL and upcoming IPL."
