Shardashram Vidyamandir players pose after winning the final of the MSSA Manoramabai Apte Memorial under-16 girls cricket tournament at Islam Gymkhana yesterday. pic/Binaisha M Surti
Exceptional bowling performances by medium pacer Akshi Gurav (3-11) and off-spinners Krutika Mahindrakar (3-11) and Nirmiti Rane (3-1), who scalped six wickets amongst themselves, helped Shardashram Vidyamandir (Dadar) to a nine-wicket win over Swami Vivekanand International School (Borivli) in the final of the Mumbai School Sports Association-organised Manoramabai Apte Memorial under-16 girls’ cricket tournament at Islam Gymkhana yesterday.
In what turned out to be a one-sided affair, Shardashram girls put on a dominant show. Put into bat, SVIS scored 32 in 12.1 overs. SVIS’ batting line-up collapsed like a pack of cards against Shardashram’s disciplined bowling.
The Dadar school bowlers bowled a tight line and did not give away easy runs to the Borivli outfit.
During the chase, Shardashram’s Aachal Valanju, who had scored hundred in the semi-finals, batted in the same vein of form to score an unbeaten 18. She was ably partnered by Sakshi Bongarde, who not out on eight as Shardashram comfortably reached their target in 6.5 overs.
SVIS leg-spinner Aarti Yadav snapped up a wicket, giving away 18 runs.
Aachal Valanju stars for Shardashram
Aachal Valanju’s (111 off 64 deliveries) with 20 fours and one six starred for Shardashram Vidyamandir during their 66-run win over St Joseph’s Convent in the semi-finals on Monday. A joyous Aachal said, “I am happy and satisfied with the way I batted in semis, which helped my team win the match. Getting a hundred was special indeed.”