Finally, a title after 16 years!

Mumbai: Top order batters Vedant Nirmal and Yash Jambhulkar combined with left-arm spinner Arnav Lad to land Swami Vivekanand International School (SVIS), Borivali the Harris Shield at the Brabourne Stadium here on Wednesday. They defeated General Education Academy (GEA), Chembur by 76 runs in the three-day final of the prestigious Under-16 Inter-School Cricket tournament organised by the Mumbai Schools Sports Association under the aegis of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA). It was a momentous occasion for the winning team as they had regained the coveted title after 16 years. The last time SVS won the Harris Shield was in 2007 under the leadership of Siddesh Lad, who later went on to play for Mumbai. It was not an easy ride for SVIS as GEA, playing their first final of the tournament, battled hard to gain ascendancy. Opener Vedant Nirmal (103 off 182 balls, 14 fours) was central to SVIS total of 288 scored in 75.2 overs on the first day. The 15-year-old first raised 66 runs with his opening partner Hrishikesh Naik (22) and then added 114 runs for the second wicket with Yash Jambhulkar (65 runs off 89 balls, 11 fours).  But once Vedant was dismissed after nearly four hours of vigil at the crease, GEA spinners Anuj Kore (4-75) and Rohan Patil (3- 51) ensured that SVIS were restricted to a sub-300 score.
In reply, GEA continued to test SVIS as they came close to overhauling their first innings total by notching 265-9 in the stipulated 80 overs. No. 3 Yuvraj Bhingare (65 off 194 balls, 8 fours), Yash Asopa (51 off 77 balls, 7 fours), Ayush Shinde (47 off 63 balls, 7 fours), Shardul Fagare (44 off 71 balls, 8 fours) led GEA’s run charge. Medium-pacer Vardhan Patel (3-36) and left-arm spinner Arnav Lad (2-67) shared the bowling honours for SVIS. The final day had a thriller in store as just 23 runs separated the two teams and the winner was to be decided in the 40-overs a side second innings. SVIS, however, bossed the day’s play by scoring 219-5 in 40 overs and then restricted their rivals to 166-9 in 40 overs. No.3 Yash Jambhulkar (61 off 60 balls, 4 fours) once again stepped up to drive SVIS innings in the company of opener Hrishikesh Naik (49 off 66 balls, 3 fours) and Advait Kandalkar (46 not out off 40 balls, 2 fours). Left-arm spinners Arnav Lad (4-64) and Advait Dhere (4-45) ensured SVIS’ domination and sealed their success in the 127 th edition of the tournament. Top order batters Rohan Patil and Ayush Shinde (63 off 89 balls, 4 fours) and Ayush Shinde (54 off 69 balls, 3 fours) kept GEA in the hunt but once Arnav Lad dismissed the duo it was all downhill for the Chembur side. Former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar, who was the chief guest, at the prize distribution ceremony encouraged the players to make full use of the opportunities they get in such matches. “Every Mumbai cricketer who has played for the country has played in Harris Shield. It is a prestigious tournament and the final played at a world-class venue, the Cricket Club of India’s Brabourne Stadium. You must make full advantage of these opportunities if you aspire to represent the country,” he said.

The top performers of the final were presented with full cricket kits and a trophy each by Victorious Endeavours, a sports event management company based in Mumbai. “The Harris Shield has a rich history and has been a stepping stone to myriad of talented cricketers of Mumbai for more than 100 years. We at Victorious Endeavours feel proud to be associated with such an event and we hope our awards encourage these young school cricketers to go on to represent India,” remarked Mr Jaideep Marar, Director of Victorious Endeavours. Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) Secretary Mr Ajinkya Naik, Cricket Club of India (CCI) president Mrs Madhumati Lele Shrivastava, Mumbai Schools Sports Association (MSSA) Cricket Secretary Nadeem Memon and Victorious Endeavours Directors Ms Dimple Joshi and Mr Marar presented the awards. The final was streamed live on FanCode.

Victorious Endeavours Awards for best players of final
* Best Batsman: Vedant Nirmal (Swami Vivekanand)
* Best Bowler: Anuj Kore (General Education)
* Best Fielder: Rohan Patil (General Education)
* Best All-Rounder: Yash Jambhulkar (Swami Vivekanand)
Best players of the tournament
* Best all-rounder: Shubham Palai (Springfield School, Bandra)
* Best Batter: Ayush Shinde (General Education)
* Best Bowler: Arnav Lad (Swami Vivekanand)
* Best Fielder: Mohd. Arman Khan (Springfield School)

Brief Scores:

Swami Vivekanand International, Borivali 288 all out in 75.2 overs
(Vedant Nirmal 103, Yash Jambhulkar 65, Advait Kandalkar 33 not out; Anuj Kore 4-75,
Rohan Patil 3-51) & 219-5 in 40 overs (Yash Jambhulkar 60, Hrishikesh Naik 49, Advait
Kandalkar 46 not out; Omkar Bhaide 2-44, Harsh Nadkar 2-81) defeated General Education
Academy, Chembur 265-9 in 80 overs (Yuvraj Bhingare 65, Yash Asopa 51, Ayush Shinde
47, Shardul Fagare 44; Vardhan Patel 3-36, Arnav Lad 2-67) & 166-9 in 40 overs (Rohan
Patil 63, Ayush Shinde 54; Arnav Lad 4-64, Advait Dhere 4-45) by 76 runs.