MUMBAI: Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd clinched the 'A' Division title of the Times Shield when they beat Central Railway Sports Association on the basis of the first innings lead at the Sachin Tendulkar Gymkhana on Wednesday.
On Day Two, a superb eighth wicket partnership of 97 runs between Onkar Khanvilkar (54, 133b, 9x4, 1x6) and Dhawal Kulkarni (43, 109b, 7x4) helped BPCL to 347, before Central Railway conceded the match in the last session.
On its way to the title, BPCL beat Air India, Mumbai Customs, IOC and then Central Railway in the final. "It was a complete team effort. I would especially like to mention the names of Tushar Deshpande and Sylvester D' Souza, who did well for us throughout the tournament. In the final, Dhawal Kulkarni, who also chipped in with two wickets, and Onkar Khanvilkar shared a good partnership for us," BPCL captain Bhavin Thakkar told TOI.
"Bhavin deserves full credit for superbly leading a team of inexperienced youngsters. Eight players out of 11 were playing in the Times Shield for the first time and the way he batted in crucial situations shows his commitment for the game and BPCL," BPCL seamer Tushar Deshpande, currently at the Chennai Super Kings camp in Surat, told this paper.
Brief Scores: Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd 347 (Onkar Khanvilkar 54, Dhawal Kulkarni 43; Vidyadhar Kamath 4-93, Salil Agharkar 3-77) vs Central Railway Sports Association 124 (Sachin Kataria 57, Vidyadhar Kamath 20*; Minad Manjrekar 3-6, Dhawal Kulkarni 2-20, Bhavin Thakkar 2-24, Rajesh Sardar 2-38). Match Result: Match Drawn BPCL took first innings lead. (Match conceded by Central Railway SA in the last session)
