All in the game on Independence Day!

Lower division Kanga League matches get off to an exciting start in overcast August 15 conditions

The lower division (E, F, G and H) games of the Dr HD Kanga Cricket League were held on Tuesday, but there was nothing low in the level of performances in their opening round held on Independence Day.

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Regent CC opener Shreeom Sanap smashed 101 against BRD Cricket Club in the ‘E’ division. In the ‘H’ division, Bhama CC’s leg-spinner Bharat Solanki’s 6-39 went in vain against Hind Sevak while leg-spinner Seemab Khan claimed 4-39 for Star CC, who went down to Maharashtra Young Cricketers (MYC) in the ‘F’ division.

‘Playing with same passion’

Seemab, a son of legendary actor Amjad Khan, is playing in the Kanga League at the age of 42. “I have been playing the League since I was 16 or 17. The body is different, but the passion is the same. Even now I am excited to practise and play a match. If you are passionate about something, you don’t feel it’s a burden. I am doing it because I love the sport,” Seemab told mid-day. He also revealed that his family’s sporting culture helps him pursue his passion. “My late dad used to play badminton a lot when he used to be very fit. But unfortunately he met with an accident in 1976 or 1977 and couldn’t play after that. He loved cricket. He did play a bit of it, but not competitively.”

Regent CC opener Shreeom Sanap

Seemab didn’t seem rusty despite bowling after a year. “I took four for 39 in 15 overs today, but I was disappointed with the way I got out—bowled by a medium pacer,” he remarked. 

Riding on Rajesh Bhujbal’s 36, MYC posted 103 all out. 

In reply, Star CC were bowled out for 64 with Nitish Nair, Bhujbal and Rahul Jogadiya claiming three wickets each.

Also Read: Ex-javelin thrower Amol Tanpure excels for Police Gym in Kanga League

Just like on the opening day of the ‘A’ division games, there was a hundred scored—in the ‘E’ division. Sanap, 21, who was playing after 2019, grabbed the opportunity with both hands to score a ton which included 10 fours and two sixes. Sanap boosted his team’s total to 248-9 declared in a drawn fixture at Cross Maidan. Pacer Rohidas Koyande claimed four for 54 for BRD. In response, BRD ended the game at 90-3 with Rizwan Shaikh scoring 35 and Harsh Shrawage staying unbeaten on 29. Sanap was understandably elated. “Off the very first ball of the innings, I got a full toss which I glanced and got four runs. The bowler [Rohidas Koyande] bowled the second ball on leg stump which I dispatched for four through midwicket region. But later it got tough on the wet surface. I decided to be patient and play according to the merit of the ball. I am delighted to register my maiden hundred in the Kanga League,” remarked Sanap, admitting he got a life when the cover fielder dropped him on 35.

Solanki’s six wickets in vain

Solanki’s six-wicket burst for Bhama went in vain. But he shouldn’t feel too bitter about it. The opposition was a team that batting legend Sachin Tendulkar played for in his formative years and the venue—Sassanian CC—was where Tendulkar and Vinod Kambli enjoyed their rollicking world record 664-run stand in the Harris Shield for Shardashram Vidyamandir in 1988.

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