Majhi Mumbai dominate Chennai Singams to reach final

Khel Today Bureau 

Mumbai: Majhi Mumbai rode on an all-round performance from Abhishek Dalhor to defeat Chennai Singams by 58 runs and reach the final of the inaugural Indian Street Premier League – T10 tennis ball tournament at the Dadoji Kondadev stadium on Thursday.

Dalhor, the most expensive player of the inaugural edition of ISPL, vindicated Majhi Mumbai’s decision to loosen their purse strings during the auction to score 62 runs in 23 balls to help his team set up a massive target of 146 runs in the first semi-finals.

He then packed off the dangerous Ketan Mhatre in the second over as Chennai Singam’s were bowled out for 87 runs.

The Indian Street Premier League – T10 is a pioneering Tennis Cricket League with a primary mission to discover, nurture, and elevate cricketers from grassroots levels. It endeavours to unite the finest local cricket talent in India, creating a comprehensive platform for players to showcase their skills.

After opting to bat in the first semi-final, Majhi Mumbai once again made a cautious start and were 31/3 at the end of five overs.

Dalhor, who went on to score the highest individual score of the tournament with seven sixes and a niner, and Ajay Qureshi (33 of 17 balls) scored 31 runs of the Dilip Binjwa over to set the ball rolling.

They amassed 39 runs in the next over as Majhi Mumbai scored 114 runs in the last five to virtually bat their opponents out of the match.

Chennai Singams needed openers Mhatre and Sanjay Kanojjiya to give them a strong start but Mumbai bowlers kept chipping wickets at regular intervals and sealed the match for the team.

Kanojjiya put up a lonely fight, scoring 60 run of 23 balls. Devid Gogoi claimed four wickets for eight runs for Majhi Mumbai.

Yogesh Penkar, the astute captain of Majhi Mumbai, expressed his delight at the team’s outstanding performance, stating, “The semi-final victory against Chennai Singams is a demonstration of hard work and dedication of every member of the team. We approached the match with a clear gameplan, and the team executed it flawlessly on the field. Our focus now shifts to the finals, where we aim to leave a lasting mark.” 

Neeti Agrawal, Co-owner of Majhi Mumbai, lauded the team’s resilience and determination, stating, “The journey to the finals has been nothing short of a rollercoaster ride, and I am immensely proud of the team’s achievements. Majhi Mumbai has showcased exceptional talent and sportsmanship throughout the tournament, and we are thrilled to be competing for the ultimate prize in the ISPL T10.”  

Karunakar Kotian, Coach of Majhi Mumbai, said, “The semi-final victory is a result of rigorous training and meticulous preparation. The players displayed remarkable composure and tactical acumen on the field, proving their mettle in high-pressure situations. As we gear up for the finals, our focus remains on maintaining our performance standards and seizing the opportunity to etch our names in the annals of cricketing history.” 

Majhi Mumbai’s remarkable journey in the ISPL T10 has captured the imagination of cricket enthusiasts across the country, and their advancement to the finals sets the stage for a spirited showdown. As the team prepares to battle it out for glory in the championship match, fans can expect another exhilarating display of cricketing brilliance from Majhi Mumbai. 

About Majhi Mumbai: 

Majhi Mumbai is the Mumbai-based professional tennis ball cricket team competing in the first season of the Indian Street Premier League (ISPL). Co-owned by legendary Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan and Neeti and Nipun Agrawal, Directors of Prakash Asphaltings and Toll Highways (PATH) India Ltd., the team embodies the vibrant essence of tennis ball cricket. With a commitment to promoting sports and nurturing talent, Majhi Mumbai sets out on a path to success in the ground breaking ISPL T10 league. 

About the Indian Street Premier League (ISPL):

The Indian Street Premier League (ISPL) is India’s pioneering tennis ball T10 cricket tournament played inside a stadium. Its inaugural edition is currently underway from March 6th to March 15th, 2024. This season, Mumbai will be the epicentre of new-age cricket entertainment, featuring six competitive teams – Hyderabad, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, and Srinagar. ISPL ignites fresh anticipation among cricket fans across the nation, coming after a spectacular line-up of celebrity superstars taking up the mantle as team owners – Amitabh Bachchan (Mumbai), Akshay Kumar (Srinagar), Hrithik Roshan (Bengaluru), Suriya (Chennai), Ram Charan (Hyderabad) and Saif & Kareena (Kolkata). The ISPL aims to redefine the sports entertainment landscape with this unprecedented fusion.