Double centurion Ayush Mhatre dedicates feat to parents, grandpa

Elsewhere, defending champs Al-Barkaat English School fought back to beat Anjuman Islam Alana School (CSTM) by 10 runs to record their second win in Group A at the MCA-BKC ground

IES VN Sule Guruji’s (Dadar) Ayush Mhatre, 14, registered his third double century in inter-school cricket with a 131-ball 213 (24x4,9x6) against VK Krishna Menon School (Borivli) in a Pool D league match of the MSSA Harris Shield tournament at the Islam Gymkhana ground on Wednesday.

Batting first, the Dadar school amassed a massive 380 for 2 from the stipulated 45 overs and later dismissed the opposition for a mere 88 in 41.1 overs to register a comprehensive 292-run win.

Dashing opener Ayush, who has the hunger for big scores, scored two unbeaten double hundreds (202 and 207) in the Giles Shield competition in 2019. He also scored a double century playing for Real Cricket Academy, Dombivli, in a private tournament at Lonavala last year.

Having elected to bat, Ayush dominated the bowling with some exquisite cover drives and well-timed pull shots as he built his marathon innings. He came close to carrying his bat through, but was dismissed while attempting a tired-looking shot off the second-last ball of the innings. He was caught at long-on by Kinshuk Bharti off Ashaz Shah. 

Abhinav assists with 127

Ayush along with No.3 batter Abhinab Saha, who was unbeaten on 127 (112 balls, 19x4), added 331 runs for the second wicket. “I owe it to my parents [mum Jagruti and dad Yogesh] and my grandfather [Laxmikant Naik] who have regularly accompanied me from our residence in Virar to grounds in Bandra and Matunga for my matches,” a smiling Ayush told mid-day. Interestingly, Ayush has changed quite a few schools to pursue his cricket dream. 

“I was earlier studying at St Joseph’s (Virar) after which I joined Don Bosco [Matunga] where I studied till Class V. But since I had to attend daily classes there, I moved to Rizvi Springfield (Bandra), who permitted home schooling. But my studies suffered, so my parents shifted me to IES VN Sule Guruji because they have a good cricket team too and their coach Gopal Koli offered me admission. I’m now happy to be in a school which is good in sports as well as academics,” added Ayush.

Elsewhere, defending champs Al-Barkaat English School fought back to beat Anjuman Islam Alana School (CSTM) by 10 runs to record their second win in Group A at the MCA-BKC ground. 

Prathamesh scores 146*

In another match of the same group, Prathamesh Kadam scored an unbeaten 146 off 96 balls to steer St Stanislaus (Bandra) to a 102-run win over Saraswati Mandir High School at National CC, Cross Maidan.

Meanwhile, in a low-scoring Group C match that finished quickly, Swami Vivekanand International (Borivli) defeated VPMS Vidyamandir (Dahisar) by eight wickets at the Police Gymkhana. Pacer Ayush Vaity stole the show with his 5-23 for SVIS. Thursday is a rest day and the final round of matches will be played on Friday.

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