KSA’s Waghela smashes 201* in Madhav Mantri league

KSA’s Gautam Waghela (left) and Ramanpreet Singh yesterday

Former Mumbai U-19 opener Gautam Waghela found form in sterling fashion to score a double century for Karnatak Sporting Association's (KSA) in the Madhav Mantri Centenary One-Day League on Sunday. The left-handed batsman smashed an unbeaten 201 in his team's 177-run win over Sind Sports Club at MCA's Bandra-Kurla Complex ground.

Put in to bat, KSA amassed 375-7 in the allotted 45 overs. Waghela, 20, who managed only five and 0 in his last two Padmakar Talim Shield games, hit 22 fours and nine sixes during his 144-ball stay at the crease. He shared a 222-run second-wicket stand with Ramanpreet Singh (80, 12x4).

In reply, Sind SC were bundled out for 198 in 36.5 overs. Left-arm spinner Vinayak Bhoir took four wickets, while pacers Akbar Khan and Rakesh Prabhu claimed two wickets each. "I was struggling to get runs and was under pressure, but my dad [Bharat] told me to recall my last best innings and start batting with that score in mind. I recollected my best knock of 182 which I scored in the Giles Shield for SVIS, Borivali against Anjuman Islam a few years ago," Waghela told mid-day.

"I hit a well-timed cover drive to the boundary off left-arm pacer Vikaschandra Singh [2-55] in the second over of the day and I think I found my missing touch with that stroke," he added.

At MIG Cricket Club, Bandra (E), National CC beat Regal CC by 178 runs. Riding on Swapnil Pradhan (165 not out) and Vedant Murkar (102 not out), National CC posted a mammoth 342-2 in 45 overs. In reply, Regal CC were bowled out for 164, thanks to some disciplined bowling by medium-pacers Shashikant Kadam (4-28) and Rahul Sawant (3-19).

Maxwell Swaminathan's all round show (104 not out and 4-47) helped Dadar Parsee Colony SC beat PJ Hindu Gym by 48 runs. In response to DPCSC's 238-4, PJ Hindu Gym were all out for 190. On Saturday, Siddhant Adhatrao's 103 (9x4, 1x6) helped New Hind SC triumph over Muslim United Sports Club (MUSC) by 114 runs. MUSC were bundled out for 231 while chasing 345-6.

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