IES New English, Bandra win maiden Harris Shield title

The victorious IES New English team at Wankhede. Pic/Suresh Karkera

Left-handed batsman Arush Patankar, 15, batted confidently for an unbeaten 95 to guide IES New English School (Bandra) to a four-wicket victory over IES VN Sule Guruji (Dadar) on a tense and exciting third day of the MSSA Harris Shield inter-school cricket tournament final at the Wankhede Stadium on Saturday.

"It was a pleasure batting well for this team and score runs on this ground [Wankhede]. I'm proud that we won our maiden Harris Shield title," said Arush, who had featured in an advertisement for an energy drink with India stalwart Virat Kohli.

Earlier, off-spinner Agasthya Bangera claimed 5 for 57 as IES Sule Guruji, who resumed at the overnight score of 66-2 in 20 overs, were bowled out for 171 in their 40-over second innings. Prolific left-hander Darsh Murkute (55), Ayush Mhatre (38) and Vishesh Kamble (30) contributed to Sule Guruji's total.

Chasing a target of 182 runs from a maximum of 40 overs, IES New English lost their top three batsmen with just 47 runs on the board. But No.4 Arush showed no signs of panic to rebuild the innings. His composed knock which contained four boundaries, ensured the team reached 185 for 6 with five balls to spare.

Arush was associated in three crucial partnerships, including an unbroken 59-run stand with Anant Desai, who contributed a valuable 24. Earlier, Arush and Arjun Bagaitkar added 36 useful runs for the fourth wicket before Arush and Harsh Darji put on 42 for the fifth wicket.

Ayush and Parth Ankolekar (both Sule Guruji), were adjudged best batsman and bowler of the tournament respectively while Anant of IES New English, won the best fielder award.

Eighteen cricketers from champions IES New English received Rs 15,000 each from the Cricketers' Foundation, while runners-up IES Sule Guruji players were presented Rs 10,000 each.