Mumbai University brought home the All India Inter-University Rohinton Baria Trophy with a convincing win over defending champions Madras University.
MUMBAI: Mumbai University brought home the All India Inter-University Rohinton Baria Trophy with a convincing win over defending champions Madras University by 8-wickets in a two-day final played at the Chepauk Stadium, Madras last week.
The last time Mumbai University won the championship was two years ago, during the 150th anniversary of the institution. Last year, however, they had failed to retain the title, losing out to Madras in the quarter-final game.
Shailesh Manjrekar, coach of the Mumbai, praised his team for performing consistently. “All of them were confident of regaining the title. And they played with unity: that is one of the reasons behind our success,” he said.
Captain Praful Waghela from Rizvi College said that everyone played up to their potential. “To win was the only thing on our minds before leaving for Chennai. Everyone was given a specific role to play and they played to their potential.
The weather in Chennai was very hot and humid, but our hunger for success meant we did not let the conditions affect us,” he said.
Manjrekar, who also coaches Ruia College, said the standard of facilities offered by the Mumbai Cricket Association was one of the main reasons behind the success. “The facilities given to us by the MCA was good.
We travelled in a three-tier air conditioned train. There other universities stayed in Dharmamshalas while we were put up in a good hotel,” he added.
Manager Rajesh Sonawane, who was also manager when Mumbai University won the title two years ago, said, “The most important aspect of the win was that our boys played with great unity and were very confident on field.
The opposition in the semis and finals were very good, but our boys gave them some tough competition. The semifinal against SRM University was the toughest challenge, but our boys did well to outplay them.”
Brief scores
Madras University 196 all out (VM Raghav 64, S Murali 27; Ravi Singh 3-47, V Dhabolkar 3-39, R Sadarjoshi 2-47, A Chavan 2-31) lost to Mumbai University 199 for 2 (Dinar Gaonkar 66 not out, Praful Waghela 63, Parag Madkaikar 56) by 8 wickets.
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