Kanga League: Tonny side up for Sulu

Ex-Mumbai Ranji Trophy coach Sulakshan slams ton for Apollo CC in Kanga League

At 47, former Mumbai wicketkeeper and Ranji Trophy-winning coach Sulakshan Kulkarni scored a gritty 100 for Apollo Cricket Club in a 'B' Division Dr HD Kanga League match at Parsee Gymkhana yesterday.


Sulakshan Kulkarni (right) celebrates his ton for Apollo Cricket Club at Parsee Gym yesterday. Pic/Atul Kamble

The one-and-a-half day match, however, ended in a draw after Shivaji Park Youngsters scored 194-8, chasing Apollo's 216 in the first innings.

"I was hurt to see teams folding up for 100-150 runs. I wanted to show youngsters how to bat in different conditions, how to build a partnership. I wanted to show them what khadoos cricket is.

"Today's youngsters surrender easily. If nothing happens for around four to five overs, they give up. They don't look to survive in the middle. I wanted to demonstrate to them that if a 47-year-old can score a hundred, then even they can," Kulkarni told mid-day.

'Seniors must play'
Kulkarni, who also turned out for his club when he was Mumbai coach from 2011-12 to 2013-14, noted that senior Mumbai cricketers should play club cricket regularly: "Senior Mumbai cricketers don't play club matches nowadays. It is important that they play regularly so that they can pass on tips to youngsters.

'Hurting city cricket'
"This is not happening anymore which is hurting Mumbai cricket big time. They (senior cricketers) can advice and help them (youngsters) read the game and situation. Such learning will happen only by playing more matches," Kulkarni said.

The other takeaway for Kulkarni was a brand new bat as prize.

"My teammate Roshan Khan promised to gift me a bat which I liked a lot if I scored a century. I did a Virat Kohli (taking a leap and punching his fist in the air) to celebrate the ton," he said.

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!