Shalini Bhalekar Trophy 2019: Lalchand Rajput XI dominate opening day's play

Lalchand Rajput XI dominated play against Dilip Vengsarkar XI on the first day of their 3-day opening round match of the 24th Shalini Bhalekar Trophy (boys’ under-23) Selection Trials cricket tournament 2019, organized by Mangesh Bhalekar in association with the Dadar Parsi Zoroastrian Sports Club and played at the MCA Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy ground, BKC on Tuesday. The tournament is being conducted under the auspices of the Mumbai Cricket Association.

Rajput XI electing to bat first put up a solid batting display as the batters scored runs at a rapid pace and three half-century efforts from Bhupen Lalwani (73 runs), Pranav Kela (73 runs) and Harshit Janwadkar (71 runs) boosted their first innings,  which closed at a healthy total of 301 in 73.4 overs. Vengsarkar bowlers Devendranath Parida (4 for 61) and Prashant Solanki (4 for 93) were the main wicket-takers.

The Dilip Vengsarkar first innings started shakily as they lost three early wickets with just 31 runs on the board from the remaining seven overs before close of play on the first day.

In the second match, Chandrakant Pandit XI were dismissed for 238 runs in 67.4 overs in the first innings against Jahangir Pithawala XI at the Sachin Tendulkar Gymkhana I ground, Kandivali. Sairaj Patil top-scored with a knock of 77 runs while Monil Soni (35 runs) and Maxwell Swaminathan (34 runs) made useful contributions.

Aman Sheoran (4 for 62) picked up most of the wickets. In reply, Pithawala made 33 runs without losing a wicket in the eight overs remaining before the end of day’s play. Earlier, Chief Guests, former Test cricketer Lalchand Rajput and MCA Apex Council member Ajinkya Naik inaugurated the tournament.

Brief scores:

Chandrakant Pandit XI (1st Innings): 238 all out, in 67.4 overs (Sairaj Patil 77, Monil Soni 35, Maxwell Swaminathan 34; Aman Sheoran 4/62) vs Jahangir Pithawala XI (1st Innings) 33 for no loss, in 8 overs.

Lalchand Rajput XI (1st Innings): 301 all out, in 73.4 overs (Bhupen Lalwani 73, Pranav Kela 73, Harshit Janwadkar 71; Devendra Parida 4/61, Prashant Solanki 4/93) Vs Dilip Vengsarkar XI (1st Innings): 31 for 3 wickets, in 7 overs.