Another day, another event and it’s once again the magical chants of Pushkar Sharma’s bat that did the talking.
What outbursted on Oct 23, at the Ruaraka Sports Club Ground was Pushkar’s glittering 173 of 154 balls which saw 22 fours and 3 sixes.
Earlier in the NPCA50 Overs competion, it was Sir Ali Muslim Club that won the coin flip and decided to bowl first.
Like any other day, it was Pushkar who came out in the center with partner Chandresh Hirani. They glued a 65 runs partnership together and the wicketkeeper-batter was cleaned up by Kupreet Singh.
The build-up continued as Sachin Gill joined the left-hander at the other end. The duo was quick between the wickets and kept the scoreboard ticking with boundaries coming now and then.
It didn’t take long for Pushkar to race up to his century. But things wasn”t just stagnant there, the swashbuckling southpaw geared up to fetch an array of runs in the next few overs, and ended on 173. The elegant batter took the opposition bowlers apart alongside Gill who too, notched up a century that particular day. Ruaraka A ended the scoreboard at 358-3 after 50 Overs with Pushkar being the highest run getter.
The defense was made easy as the added pressure of more than 7 runs per over was already there for the team Sir Ali Muslim Club. The opposition was bundled out for a paltry 125, allowing the Ruaraka-based side clinch a 255 runs triumph. Sachin Gill, Naresh Hirwani and Yogesh Sawant starred the bowling figures with three wickets under their name.
After the match, Pushkar was heard saying, “I was unbelievably happy. I was quite nervous, I haven’t been in this position for a while and it means the world to me. I’ve been through quite a lot getting to this moment and I’ve worked very hard, so I feel very chuffed,”
Also added “ Thanks to Mansukh Hirani for supporting me in kenya”
The talismanic batter who will feature for Mahadev Strikers in the Swaminarayan Pro20 Tournament added, “Everyone’s mind is on the upcoming Pro20 tournament. I am glad that the score came at the right time. It will give me more confidence as I head into the tournament against the top in the world and in the country.”
By- Arijit Kundu
