Spinner Naik keen to break Rizvi's winning streak

Updated on: 02 December,2011 09:35 AM IST |
Sundari Iyer |

Shardashram Vidyamandir's (Marathi) left-arm spinner Ankit Naik helped his team book a semi-final berth in the Harris Shield Elite Division with a victory over Lilavatibai Podar (SC) by 190 runs in a third round match at Cross Maidan yesterday.

Shardashram's Ankit Naik at Cross Maidan yesterday. Pic/ Atul Kamble

Ankit took 6-30 to restrict Lilavatibai Podar to 121 in their second innings. The 15-year-old has taken 30 wickets so far in the tournament and is hungry for more. Earlier, Shardashram were bowled out for 381 in the first innings, and in the second innings they made 221. Lilavatibai Podar were bowled out for 291 in their first innings.

Ankit is aware that the road ahead isn't going to be an easy one for Shardashram as they face defending champions Rizvi Springfield (Bandra) in the semi-final. "I am aware that Shardashram will be the underdogs, but we will make sure that we put our best foot forward against the defending champions. Rizvi team is new for us so we aren't thinking too much about them," Ankit told MiD DAY.

But Ankit doesn't want to play under pressure against the Bandra team. "I know that Rizvi is a strong team. But I want to take as many wickets as I can. And if possible try and break their winning jinx in the tournament." IES V N Sule Guruji (Dadar) will take on Anjuman-I-Islam (Urdu) in another semi-final.