The ugly ghost of match-fixing has returned to haunt Indian cricket yet again. After some players participating in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) reported the news that some unknown people were approaching them to corrupt and bring the name of cricket down. Now, it has come to the notice of BCCI that players from other domestic T20 leagues are also being targeted.

BCCI’s Anti-Corruption Unit chief Ajit Singh mentioned that some players from KPL 2019 and T20 Mumbai league were approached by unknown persons and they have reported matters to BCCI. Singh also said that BCCI is looking into this rather serious and worrying matter with immediate effect.

BCCI has taken control of anti-corruption operations of local T20 leagues

“Some players have been approached during the Karnataka Premier League and they have reported the matter. We are also enquiring into the approach made to a player in the Mumbai T20 league”, BCCI official Singh was quoted by Hindustan Times as saying. Singh also informed that BCCI has taken the domestic leagues under the scanner of anti-corruptions from last season. “From the last season onwards, we have taken over the anti-corruption operations of the local T20 leagues,” Singh further said.

On Monday, 16th September 2019, TNPL players complained about being approached by strange people for match-fixing offers. Some cricketers were approached through WhatsApp messages too. The BCCI official had informed that he is keeping a close eye on the cricketers being approached to fix games and also has started investigating who has sent such messages to the players.

BCCI is pretty serious in ensuring this issue gets resolved. They are also not ruling out the involvement of match officials in this matter. A woman cricketer reported the fact that she was approached recently to throw a game and that was sent to the ICC. And now an official complaint has been lodged with Bengaluru police for this.

It is a matter of great concern that the ugly face of match-fixing has resurfaced. But it’s also a positive sign that players themselves have reported such instances to the BCCI. It goes to show that they are serious and committed to not making such mistakes that could jeopardize their career completely.

Arjun Tendulkar, son of legend Sachin Tendulkar, has slowly started to make his name in the cricketing scene in Mumbai. A left-handed medium pace bowler and lower-order batsman, Arjun had impressed the selectors enough to be given a chance in India’s U-19 team in unofficial four-day matches against Sri Lanka on an away tour.

Meanwhile, Arjun is getting all the guidance and training he can from perhaps the best coach one can get, his father Sachin Tendulkar. Arjun, who was recently picked up by the Aakash Tigers MWS for the T20 Mumbai League for Rs 5 lakh and also featured in the semi-finals on Saturday in the Wankhede Stadium, had been given some sage advice by his father.

Sachin Tendulkar’s father literature mozart, Ramesh Tendulkar had a big influence on Little Master’s life and had given him the freedom to pursue the game he was good at. Revealing how he tries to incorporate his father’s teachings in how he guides Arjun, the little master was quoted as saying by Sportstar, “He is passionate and I have not forced him for anything. I never forced him to play cricket. He earlier used to play football, then he developed an interest in chess and now he is playing cricket.”

Tendulkar passes on his father’s advice to his son

The Master Blaster was further quoted as saying the best advice that he was given which he has passed on to his son, “I told him whatever you do in life, don’t take a short-cut, which my father (Ramesh Tendulkar) told me, and I tell him exactly the same thing…you will need to work hard and then it is up to you how you fare.”

Like every parent has expectations from their children, the Indian cricketing legend also wants his son to do well in a sport that has given him so much. He mentions that Arjun needs to give his all to his team and be ready to do whatever the team wants. He said that his experience of playing in the T20 Mumbai League will be invaluable as it provides youngsters with a good platform and a learning experience in real life.

“Once a student of this game, a student for the rest of your life. That’s what I try and tell him. Results will be in Gods hand, but to make an effort is in our hands,” Sachin concluded.

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The second edition of the T20 Mumbai League came to an end with the North Mumbai Panthers clinching the title. They defeated the SoBo SuperSonics in the final and emerged victorious in the hard-fought tournament. Like always, the objective of the tournament was really well-achieved. Some of the finest talents in Mumbai cricket got an opportunity to showcase their talent at a higher level in front of bigger crowds.

While some of them relished the challenge and were outstanding, a few others ended up disappointing. On the other hand, there were also those who despite their team’s unimpressive performance, gave it their all and tried to put their best foot forward. Here is the Best XI of those players who produced the most recognizable performances in this tournament.

Here is the Best XI from the second edition of T20 Mumbai League:

1. Prithvi Shaw (C) | North Mumbai Panthers

Prithvi Shaw had a brilliant tournament and finished as the leading run-scorer. He led his team from the front and played a very important knock in the final as well. Given that he utilised the resources better than many other captains and considering his U19 experience, he will lead this side as well. Shaw hit three fifties in the season, the joint highest along with Akhil Herwadkar and Aditya Tare.

Matches: 6

Innings: 6

Runs: 249

Average: 49.80

2. Akhil Herwadkar | ARCS Andheri

The ARCS Andheri team finished second on the points table and Akhil Herwadkar had a huge role to play. He missed out in the first game and got only 26 runs. But in the next match, he scored a crucial 56 in a successful chase. Herwadkar bettered his performance against Shivaji Park Lions where he was unbeaten on 79 off 58 balls. The next two games weren’t the best for him as he could only score 1 and a duck. However, in the semi-final, Akhil scored a crucial 69 but his efforts went in vain.

Matches: 6

Innings: 6

Runs: 231

Average: 46.20

3. Aditya Tare (wk) | Eagle Thane Strikers

Even though the Eagle Thane Strikers have won just two matches, Aditya Tare performed exceptionally well for them. He started the tournament with 71 off 44 balls in the first game. He followed this up with scores of 57, 18, 48 and 50. Tare played with positive, aggressive intent in all the matches and took the attack to the bowlers. However, he wasn’t able to take his team through. Yet, he finished as the second-highest run scorer in the tournament.

Matches: 5

Innings: 5

Runs: 244

Average: 48.80

4. Suryakumar Yadav | Triumph Knights MNE

Suryakumar Yadav was another brave fighter for his team despite their poor performance as a unit. Although he didn’t have the best IPL, Yadav had a better outing in this tournament. In the first match, he scored an unbeaten 90. While he missed out in the next two matches, SKY registered another fifty against Shivaji Park Lions. He couldn’t finish the tournament well and got out for 14 which resulted in his team’s early exit.

Matches: 5

Innings: 5

Runs: 202

Average: 67.33

5. Shubham Ranjane | ARCS Andheri

Shubham Ranjane is a perfect fit for the number five spot in this Best XI. He has scored runs at a strike rate of 141 as well as maintained consistency throughout the T20 Mumbai League. Ranjane is someone who is capable of adapting his game to the situation. He got the highest score against the North Mumbai Panthers – it was a knock of 71 runs from just 42 balls. Even in the first semi-final against the same team, he played an important knock remaining unbeaten on 51 off 34 balls.

Matches: 6

Innings: 6

Runs: 197

Average: 49.25

6. Sujit Nayak | NaMo Bandra Blasters

29-year-old Sujit Nayak will bat at number six in this side. His role will be to take the attack to the opposition and score some quick runs in the middle order. Depending on the situation, he could also take up the role of a finisher. Sujit scored 167 runs in 5 games at a strike rate of 150.45. Moreover, he doubles up as a handy bowler. Nayak picked up 6 wickets at an average of 13.83.

Matches: 5

Innings: 5

Runs: 167

Average: 55.67, S/R: 150.45

Wickets: 6, Bowling average: 13.83

7. Parag Khanapurkar | SoBo SuperSonics

Parag Khanapurkar can act as the floater in this side depending upon the situation of the game. He add great balance to the team as he is equally equipped both with the bat as well as the ball. In 6 innings, he accrued 229 runs at an average of 38. Parag also picked up 7 wickets in 7 games an at an average of 10. He is a utility player and can fit into the sort of role that is demanded in a game.

Matches: 7

Innings: 6

Runs: 229

Average: 38.17, S/R: 133.92

Wickets: 7, Bowling Average: 10

8. Dhrumil Matkar | SoBo SuperSonics

Dhrumil Matkar was the best bowler of this edition of the T20 Mumbai League. The 22-year-old left-arm spinner was precise with the lines and lengths and stuck to the plans. He varied his pace according to the situations and outfoxed the batsmen on most occasions to finish as the highest wicket-taker. He was prominent in all the 7 games that he played and accounted for 15 scalps. With the bat, he is capable of striking a few lusty blows as well.

Matches: 7

Overs: 27

Wickets: 15

Average: 12

9. Atif Attarwala | North Mumbai Panthers

Atif Attarwala proved to be another brilliant find this season. He is a left-arm bowling all-rounder who also adds depth to this batting line-up. Attarwala usually bowled the difficult overs for his team and executed the plans really well. In 7 games, he picked up 12 wickets to finish as the second-highest wicket-taker and he also bowls at a good pace. Attarwala’s economy rate of 8 is quite commendable.

Matches: 7
Overs: 27
Wickets: 12
Average: 18.08

10. Prathamesh Dake | North Mumbai Panthers

Prathamesh Dake was exceptional on the night of the final for the North Mumbai Panthers. Under great pressure, he executed brilliantly at the death. For someone who bowls at the top and in death, his economy rate of 7.50 is exceptional. With some of the other bowlers ending up slightly on the expensive side, he balances it out the equation with his skill. Prathamesh finished as the third highest wicket-taker in the T20 Mumbai Leauge 2019.

Matches: 6
Overs: 24
Wickets: 10
Average: 18

11. Royston Dias | Triumph Knights MNE

Royston Dias, a young left-arm pacer, was highly impressive in the T20 Mumbai Leauge 2019. In five matches, he got to bowl 18 overs where he picked up 10 wickets at an average of 14.30. If he can perform consistently in the other domestic tournaments as well, he could well bag an IPL contract next season.

Matches: 5

Overs: 18

Wickets: 10

Average: 14.30

Get the latest Cricket News and updates from the T20 Mumbai League, Match Predictions, Fantasy Cricket Tips and lots more on CricTracker.com.

Yesterday, the second edition of the T20 Mumbai League came to an end after Prithvi Shaw’s North Mumbai Panthers sealed a 12-run victory against the SoBo SuperSonics in the Final at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. However, amidst some riveting cricket in the tournament, there was a controversy during the second semi-final between the SuperSonics and the Aakash Tigers.

In the last delivery of the 15th over, the SuperSonics were strolling along, having scored 158 for no loss. At that time, batsman Hersh Tank needed some medical attention following some cramps. After play resumed, Jay Bista took a single and retained the strike. But at the start of the next over, Tank took the strike, and neither the players nor the umpires noticed the error.

In the first ball, Tank perished. Thereafter, the umpires called it a dead-ball, realizing that the batsmen didn’t change ends. Consequently, the Tigers were denied the much-important wicket. In the meantime, Sachin Tendulkar, the brand ambassador of the T20 tournament, opened up on the goof-up and sounded absolutely furious by what panned out in Saturday’s match.

The legend agreed that the right thing happened as it was as per the laws of the game. Nevertheless, he feels that the batting side should be penalized seven runs, the maximum one could possibly score of one ball, for such errors. The veteran brought forth the rules applied when an additional fielder stays outside the circle and the umpires call it a no-ball along with signalling the free hit.

Why isn’t the batting side penalised?, Sachin questions

“Whatever I saw, I saw this for the first time and then I started thinking what could be done and it cannot be a dead ball. But the rules are such, whatever happened it was the right thing to happen at that moment,” Tendulkar was quoted as saying in Sportstar.

“But I was just thinking what could be that one change which can be implemented in time to come and I feel if three fielders are there in the circle, the umpire never tells them that you need to have the fourth fielder in the ring and it’s called a no-ball and there is a free hit. So the fielding side is penalised for that,” he mentioned.

“But when the batters don’t go to their respective ends, why isn’t the batting side penalised? I think the batting side should also be penalised. And what is the maximum that one could score off each ball is possibly 7 runs, which is a no ball of previous delivery and a free hit. So maybe here also it should be seven runs penalty for the batting side and then they change the ends,” Sachin added.

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Eight teams, 23 matches, and the action has finally culminated with the North Mumbai Panthers emerging as the winners in the second edition of T20 Mumbai League. Skipper Prithvi Shaw was great on the night of the final. He analyzed the conditions well and played a sensible knock. His efforts were backed up by the bowlers really well. Atif Attarwala and Prathamesh Dake bowled brilliant spells and tied the opposition down at the death. These excellent efforts helped the Panthers register a 12-run win over the SuperSonics.

Prithvi Shaw pushes the Panthers to a fightable total

The Prithvi Shaw-led North Mumbai Panthers felt putting runs on the board would be ideal and thus elected to bat first. However, to their dismay, they lost two wickets quite early in the innings. Opener Vikrant Auti was dismissed for a duck while Karan Nande could only get two runs. Wicket-keeper Swapnil Salvi took the attack to the bowlers and ensured his team got to a good total in the powerplay. But misery struck again in the sixth over.

Salvi got out for 18 while Sairaj Patil was dismissed for a duck. Being brought down in 49/4 overs, Prithvi Shaw and Shashikant Kadam started the rebuilding process. They couldn’t take many risks and played slowly. After scoring a 36-ball 37, Kadam got out to Dhrumil Matkar. Shaw took the onus and batted right till the end. He remained unbeaten on 61 off 55 balls as his side got to 143/7 in 20 overs.

Atif Attarwale bowls high-quality overs at the death

Just like the Panthers, the SoBo SuperSonics also suffered a big blow early on by losing opener Japjeet Randhawa for a golden duck. Hersh Tank, batting at number three, looked good for his 14-ball 18 but couldn’t maximise on the start. Skipper Jay Gokul Bista also couldn’t accelerate the innings and Atif Attarwala got him caught for 21 off 22 balls. The run rate kept soaring up after this slow start and the onus was now on the middle order.

However, Parag Khanapurkar tried to put things back on track with Yogesh Takawale. The wicket-keeper, however, could only score 18 runs from 19 balls before he perished. Parag also got out at a crucial juncture in the 16th over after scoring 43 runs. Things got really tight at the end with Atif Attarwale bowling brilliantly. 14 runs were required off the last over and Pravin Tambe was handed over the responsibility. The leg-spinner picked up two wickets in the over and handed his team a 12-run win.

Brief Scores:

North Mumbai Panthers: 143/7 in 20 overs (Prithvi Shaw 61*, Shashikant Kadam 37, Deepak Shetty 3/24)

SoBo SuperSonics: 131/10 in 19.4 overs (Parag Khanapurkar 43, Hersh Tank 18, Prathamesh Dake 3/19)

Result: North Mumbai Panthers won the match by 12 runs.

Man of the Match: Prithvi Shaw

It’s all down to one game now as high-flying SoBo SuperSonics will take on North Mumbai Panthers in the final of the T20 Mumbai League 2019. Both the teams have entered the title-decider on the back of contrasting wins. While Panthers registered win in a last-ball thriller in their semi-final, the SuperSonics decimated their opponents in the last four to enter the final. SuperSonics had also topped the points table with 4 wins from five games while Panthers were third with three wins in five.

The Panthers beat ARCS Andheri in the semi-final. Skipper Prithvi Shaw had starred with the bat to take his team over the line. Asked to bat first, Andheri had finished on 166 for 6 thanks to fifties from Akhil Herwadkar and Shubham Ranjane. For the Panthers, Prathamesh Dake impressed with the ball returning with figures of 3 for 37. In reply, the Panthers chased down the total on the very last ball of the match. Shaw top-scored for the side with 76 while Swapnil Salvi also impressed with the bat, scoring 62.

On the other hand, the SuperSonics blew away Aakash Tigers MWS in the other semi-final. Century from skipper Jay Gokul Bista and a 93-run knock from Hersh Tank had propelled the SuperSonics to a massive 217 for 4 – the highest total of this tournament. In reply, the Tigers rarely looked in contention and eventually finished on 191 for 9. Dhumil Matkar starred with the ball for the SuperSonics by picking up a five-wicket haul.

Pitch Report

A score of over 150 was considered par in the T20 Mumbai League this season. However, the two semifinals were high-scoring encounters and this match as well be full of runs. In such a case, batting second wouldn’t be a bad choice either.

Weather Conditions

As far as the weather is concerned, there is no reason to worry as there are no predictions of rain. The temperature will be around 30-degree Celsius throughout the game. The humidity, however, can make for an unpleasant experience as it will hover in the early 70s.

Team Combinations

With both the teams registering impressive wins in their respective semifinals, neither of them is likely to change the winning combination.

SoBo SuperSonics: Jay Gokul Bista (c), Hersh Tank, Parag Khanapurkar, Yogesh Takawale (wk), Khizer Dafedar, Vaibhav Mali, Rohan Raje, Japjeet Randhawa, Dhrumil Matkar, Deepak Shetty, Badrey Alam

North Mumbai Panthers: Pravin Tambe, Prithvi Shaw (c), Prathamesh Dake, Sairaj Patil, Vikrant Auti, Sumeet Dhekale, Swapnil Salvi (wk), Atif Attarwala, Rahul Sawant, Shashikant Kadam, Karan Nande

Probable Top Performers

SoBo SuperSonics – Jay Gokul Bista | North Mumbai Panthers – Prithvi Shaw

Broadcast Details

TV – Star Sports 2, Star Sports 2 HD, Star Sports 3, Star Sports 1 Hindi

Live Streaming – Hotstar

Match Timings – 07:30 PM local

Scenarios:

Scenario 1:

Supersonics win the toss and elect to bat first

1st innings score: 175-190

SuperSonics win the match

Scenario 2:

Panthers win the toss and bat first

Score: 165-180

Supersonics win the match

The prediction is for SoBo SuperSonics to clinch the title.

Get the latest Cricket News and updates from the T20 Mumbai League, Match Predictions, Fantasy Cricket Tips and lots more on CricTracker.com.

SoBo Supersonics cruised to the final on the back of a sensational effort with the bat against the Aakash Tigers MWS in the second semi-final. Skipper Jay Bista became the first player to score a century in the history of T20 Mumbai League as he struck nine fours and five sixes on his way through to a 60-ball 110. His opening partner Hersh Tank scored 93 off 51 deliveries but unfortunately got run out and fell seven short of becoming the second centurion.

The pair added 196 for the first wicket in 18 overs as Supersonics finished with 217/4. Despite a couple of quick-fire knocks from the opposition, the Bista-led team completed a 26-run win by limiting the new franchise to 191/9. They will now be up against the North Mumbai Panthers who successfully chased down 167 in their semis against the Arcs Andheri. It was a similar story as the Panthers’ skipper Prithvi Shaw hogged the limelight with a 48-ball 76.

Match Details:

The final of the T20 Mumbai League 2019 will be played between North Mumbai Panthers and Sobo Supersonics at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

The match starts at 7:30 PM local time (IST) (2:00 PM GMT).

The game will be live on Star Sports 3. Live streaming available on Hotstar.

Pitch Condition/Report:

The semi-finals were high-scoring games as those were the only matches played on the day. A target of 167 runs was chased down in the first semis and over 400 runs were scored in the second. The final is expected to pan out on similar lines.

Average first innings score: 160 (Night matches in T20 Mumbai 2019)

Record of chasing teams: Won – 6, Lost – 6

Playing XIs:

North Mumbai Panthers:

Prithvi Shaw (C), Vikrant Auti, Karan Nande, Swapnil Salvi (wk), Sairaj Patil, Atif Attarwala, Sumeet Dhekale, Shashikant Kadam, Pravin Tambe, Prathamesh Dake, Rahul Sawant.

Bench – Onkar Dattaram Gurav, Vishal Dhagaonkar, Jude Singh, Ajinkya Patil, Aashray Sajnani, Neil Narvekar, Moondeep Mangela, Aditya Rane.

Sobo Supersonics:

Jay Bista (C), Hersh Tank, Parag Khanapurkar, Yogesh Takawale (wk), Khizer Dafedar, Rohan Raje, Dhrumil Matkar, Badrey Alam, Shashank Attarde, Japjeet Randhawa, Deepak Shetty.

Bench – Mansingh Nigade, Agni Chopra, Adeeb Usmani, Vaibhav Mali, Tushar Srivastav, Sandeep Kunchikor, Aatif Shaikh, Akshay Barma, Harsh Tanna.

Injury and Availability News:

Playing XIs updated after the toss. North Mumbai Panthers elected to bat first.

Points in recent matches of selected players (Power Picks):

Parag Khanapurkar – 14, 43.5, 31, 38, 25, 68

Dhrumil Matkar – 67, 42.5

Jay Bista – 78.5, 28, 21.5

Yogesh Takawale – 16.5, 35, 21

Captain and Vice-Captain Selection:

The inform captains Prithvi Shaw and Jay Bista have to be the first preferred multipliers. The semi-final was Parag Khanapurkar’s least productive game as he didn’t get to bat.

Other options – Vikrant Auti, Rohan Raje, Hersh Tank, Dhrumil Matkar.

Suggested Playing XI for Head to Head/Small Leagues:

Keeper – Swapnil Salvi

Batsmen – Jay Bista (C), Prithvi Shaw (VC), Hersh Tank

All-Rounders – Parag Khanapurkar, Khizer Dafedar, Atif Attarwala, Dhrumil Matkar

Bowlers – Prathamesh Dake, Vaibhav Mali, Rahul Sawant

Suggested Playing XI for Grand Leagues/Mega Leagues:

Keeper – Swapnil Salvi

Batsmen – Jay Bista, Hersh Tank, Karan Nande

All-Rounders – Atif Attarwala, Rohan Raje, Sairaj Patil (VC), Parag Khanapurkar (C)

Bowlers – Badrey Alam, Rahul Sawant, Pravin Tambe

Expert Advice:

After their performances in the semi-finals, both Prithvi Shaw and Jay Bista become mandatory picks for this game as well. At the same time, there are no other safe alternatives in this category.

Probable Winners:

The inform Sobo Supersonics are expected to clinch the title by defeating the North Mumbai Panthers.

*Disclaimer: This team is based on the understanding, analysis and instinct of the author. While selecting your team, consider the points mentioned and make your own decision.

Get the latest Cricket News and updates from the T20 Mumbai League, Match Predictions, Fantasy Cricket Tips and lots more on CricTracker.com.

Riding on stunning knocks from their openers Jay Gokul Bista and Hersh Tank, SoBo SuperSonics thrashed Aakash Tigers MWS by 26 runs to enter the final. After setting a mammoth total of 218, the SuperSonics restricted the Tigers to 191 for 9. The SuperSonics will now take on North Mumbai Panthers in the title-decider on Sunday.

SoBo SuperSonics skipper Jay Gokul Bista totally justified his decision to bat, scoring a stunning century to lead his side to a mammoth total. Bista was well supported his fellow opener Hersh Tank who missed out on a well-deserved century by just seven runs. He set the tone by dispatching his Tigers counterpart Dhawal Kulkarni for a four and a six in the second over. From thereon, the SuperSonics did not look back as they went on to score the highest total of this tournament.

By the time the powerplay ended, the SuperSonics had raced away to 63 for no loss with Tank leading the charge now. Both the batsmen were matching each other shot for shot while Tigers bowlers were looking clueless on how to contain the duo. Tank was the first to reach his fifty, crossing the milestone off 29 balls in the tenth over. At the halfway stage, the SuperSonics were comfortably placed at 97 for no loss.

Bista reached his century off 34 balls in the 12th over with a cracking four off Salman Khan. The competition between the two was now who would race away to the century first. At one stage, it looked like both the players would reach the triple-digit mark. However, in the 18th over, Tank’s breathtaking innings came to a disappointing end when he was run out for 93. His knock came off 51 balls and was studded with seven fours and 5 sixes. But unlike Tank, Bista went on to score the first century of this tournament before being dismissed for 110 in the penultimate over.

It looked all over for the Tigers at that very stage and their batsmen did very little to make a contest out of the game which was fast turning out to be lopsided. Arjun Tendulkar and Bhavin Thakkar were back in the hut for seven and 0 respectively, leaving their side reeling at 12 for 2. Aakarshit Gomel and D Subramanian then added 63 runs for the third wicket before the former’s dismissal opened the floodgates.

The Tigers lost wickets at regular intervals and soon found themselves 5 down for 110 and then 6 down for 116. Kulkarni then provided the innings with some much-needed solidarity although he was fighting a lost cause. The skipper remained unbeaten on 68. For the SuperSonics, Dhrumil Matkar starred with the ball, picking up 5 for 32.

Brief scores:

SoBo SuperSonics: 217/4 in 20 overs (Jay Gokul Bista 110, Hersh Tank 93; Sylvester Dsouza 2-30)

Aakash Tigers MWS: 191/9 in 20 overs (Dhawal Kulkarni 68*; Dhrumil Matkar 5-32)

Result: SoBo SuperSonics won by 26 runs

Man of the Match: Jay Bista

Skipper Prithvi Shaw led his team from the very front as North Mumbai Panthers beat ARCS Andheri by 2 wickets in a thrilling semi-final to storm into the final. Shaw scored 76 as Panthers chased down the total right on the last ball of the match it was the veteran Pravin Tambe who hit the winning runs for his team. Swapnil Salvi also impressed with the bat by scoring a fine fifty.

Chasing 167 to enter the final, the Panthers were off to the worst possible start. Their in-form opener Vikrant Auti and No.3 Sumeet Dhekale departed for 1 and duck respectively to leave their team reeling at 26 for 2. They soon found themselves three down for 40 as Andheri got hold of the driver’s seat. However, Shaw was going great guns from the other end and made sure that Panthers do not fall too far behind in the chase.

Along with Salvi the duo took charge of the chase and struck fifties en route their massive 114-run stand before the game turned on its head again when Andheri picked up five wickets in quick time. With 9 runs needed from the final over, Panthers lost two wickets before Pravin Tambe hit a four on the final delivery to seal the game.

Herwadkar and Ranjane help Andheri to 166

Earlier in the match, fifties from Akhil Herwadkar and Shubham Ranjane had helped ARCS Andheri post a competitive total of 166 for 6 in the stipulated 20 overs. Prithvi Shaw’s decision to bowl first turned out to be spot on as Prathamesh Dake dismissed the in-form Andheri skipper Kevin Almeida for just 6. However, Herwadkar and Iqbal Abdulla did not let the Panthers make further inroads after the initial breakthrough.

The two added 60 runs for the second wicket to lay the foundation for a good total before Shashikant Kadam struck to remove Abdulla for 27. His dismissal brought Herwadkar and Ranjane together as the duo batted Andheri to a position of strength. They mixed caution with aggression to pace the scoreboard forward. But just when it looked like Andheri would accelerate, veteran spinner Pravin Tambe got the Panthers a huge wicket by dismissing Herwadkar for 69.

Also read- T20 Mumbai League 2019, Semi-Final 2: Sobo Supersonics vs Aakash Tigers MWS – Dream11 Fantasy Cricket Tips – Playing XI, Pitch Report & Injury Update

Herwadkar’s dismissal completely changed the course of the game as Andheri failed to finish in a position of strength and were at least a few runs short. From 131 for 2 in 15.1 overs, they managed just 35 runs in the last 29 balls while losing four wickets to finish on 166 for 6.

Brief scores:

ARCS Andheri: 166/6 (Akhil Herwadkar 69, Shubham Ranjane 51; Prathamesh Dake 3/37)

North Mumbai Panthers: 170/8 (Prithvi Shaw 76, Swapnil Salvi 62; Tushar Deshpande 2/31)

Result: North Mumbai Panthers won by two wickets.

Man of the Match: Prithvi Shaw

The top four teams of the T20 Mumbai league 2019 have been finalized. ARCS Andheri took on North Mumbai Panthers in the first semi-finals and it was the Panthers who made it to the finals. While SoBo SuperSonics take on Aakash Tigers MWS on May 25 at the Wankhede Stadium. North Mumbai skipper Prithvi Shaw and Salvi helped the team get over the line in a last-ball thriller. Here is all you need to read for both the teams before picking your Fantain XI.

Team News:

SoBo SuperSonics

Super-consistent SuperSonics have won 4 out of 5 matches in the tournament putting them at the top spot. They met current opponent Aakash Tigers on 18th May and won by 10 runs. That is a good place to start as players like Parag, Jay and Dhrumil have been consistent with their contribution to the team.

Probable XI: Yogesh Takawale (wk), Rohan Raje, Badrey Alam, Jay Gokul Bista (C), Dhrumil Matkar, Hersh Tank, Japjeet Randhawa, Parag Khanapurkar, Vaibhav Mali, Deepak Shetty, Khizer Dafedar

Aakash Tigers MWS

Aakash Tigers lost to SuperSonics by ten runs but the semi-finals is a whole new ball game. That is the attitude the Tigers should adopt in the 2nd semi-finals. Mulani and Tendulkar are the attack vectors of Aakash Tigers.

Probable XI: Bhavin Thakkar, Arjun Tendulkar, D Subramanian (wk), Yogesh Pawar, Siddharth Akre, Shams Mulani, Suryansh Shedge, Nehal Katakdhond, Ajay Pandey, Salman Khan, Dhawal Kulkarni (C)

Top Picks

Parag: MOM in the first match of the tournament against ARCS Andheri for his smashing 96 (unfortunately run out) he has contributed to the points in the Fantain Fantasy app with both runs and wickets.

Tendulkar: Key to the team and the fantasy player that picks him; Tendulkar took his time to settle down but has shown what he is capable of.

Jay Bista: Catches, wickets and runs, this man has done it all. Be it at the Ranji Trophy or the T20 match, Jay Bista has been a consistent blaster all through.

Gomel: In the last match against SoBo SuperSonics, Gomel hit 43 runs off 43 deliveries and took a catch. He is more than likely to deliver in the second semifinals as well.

Fantain Fantasy XI

Batsmen: Jay Bista, Hersh Tank, Parag K

Bowlers: Nehal K, Shams Mulani, Dhawal Kulkarni, Deepak Shetty

All-Rounders: Tendulkar, Matkar, Gomel

WicketKeeper: Yogesh T

This is our Fantain Fantasy XI but you’re the real expert.