Fine half-centuries by Gaurik Nandanwar (86 runs off 89 balls) and Arnav Kamble (81 not out off 99) powered IES VN Sule Guruji English Medium School (Dadar) to a strong total of 279-6 declared in 60 overs against Dnyandeep Seva Mandal’s Primary & Secondary School (Nerul) on Day One of their two-day group stage match of the boys U-16 Dream Sports Mumbai Schools Sports Association (MSSA) inter-school cricket tournament at Islam Gymkhana
on Wednesday.
With a spot in the semi-final on the line, VN Sule Guruji (five points) must secure an outright victory, while Dnyandeep (six points) need only a draw to qualify.
After electing to bat, VN Sule Guruji built their innings around a fluent knock from Gaurik. Kamble, meanwhile, helped in holding the innings together. For Dnyandeep, Atul Chaudhary was the most successful bowler, claiming three wickets for 63 runs.
In reply, endured early setbacks as VN Sule Guruji’s bowlers struck at regular intervals. Openers Shriyash Chavan (33), Anuj Chaudhary (3), along with Viraj Thorat (1), were dismissed as the batting side posted 45-5 in 19 overs. Jay Mhatre (2-6) and Aaradhya Kadam (2-17) shared early breakthroughs for VN Guruji.