Ronak Shinde’s unbeaten 50 helps Souvenir Team win against Union Academy in Mumbai Junior Shield
It was the all important semi final match of the MCA Mumbai Junior Shield Cricket tournament 2016-17 between Souvenir Team & Union Cricket Academy. It was Souvenir’s 5th match of the tournament. Winning the toss first, souvenir elected to bowl first as the pitch wasn’t the best for batting & chasing a low score was on their list of strategies.
The Cross Maidan witnessed some wonderful individual performances and also some good team work by both the teams. Union Cricket academy who were made to bat first on a tricky pitch were all out for 176 in 42.3 overs. It was also some disciplined bowling by the Souvenir bowlers which restricted the opposition to a low total. Prashant Patil (3/31) & off spinner Ronak Shinde (3/32) were excellent with the ball. They also got good support from the other bowlers.
Chasing 177 was like a cakewalk but Union Cricket academy gave their best & did not allow the opposition to win easily. Souvenir team reached the total losing 7 wickets and won the match by 3 wickets and 9 overs to spare. Ronak and Rugved chipped in with 30’s at the top of the order but it was Ronak Shinde again contributing with the bat this time. Right handed Ronak scored 50* off 57 balls which included 6 fours and 2 sixes. He anchored the innings and pushed his team to win the match. Shinde remained intact at the crease while wickets were tumbling from the other side.
As he stated himself “he just wanted to play till the end and finish the game” & he did justice to the words given by his captain who advised the players to play the full 45 overs. Ronak was rightly adjudged man of the match & the whole team including himself will be in good confidence to perform well in the finals (7th January).