The Jolly Gymkhana Tournament was a well-organized event spanning two weekends, featuring some of Mumbai’s most prestigious clubs. Despite the small ground, the dressing room facilities and overall experience were excellent. The tournament brought together a mix of young professionals and amateurs, making for intense and closely contested matches.
Our Journey to the Title: As defending champions, we began our campaign against a strong Matunga team. After winning the toss, we elected to eld. Matunga got off to a good start at 60-2 in 6 overs, but our disciplined bowling restricted them to 92 all out in 19 overs. Our chase was shaky early on, but we eventually secured victory with three overs to spare.
The semi-nals saw an improved performance. We bowled Jolly Gymkhana B out for 125 in 19 overs, and our batters chased it down comfortably, reaching 126-2 in just 12 overs.
The final, however, was a different ball game altogether. Jolly Gymkhana A came out all guns blazing, setting a stiff target of 160 after being bowled out in 18.3 overs. Our chase began on a tense note, with an early wicket putting us on the back foot. The pressure was mounting, and for a moment, the game seemed to be slipping away when we lost 4 wickets in 2 overs. But just when things looked dire, a flurry of boundaries in the death overs swung the momentum in our favor, and in a dramatic finish, we crossed the line with a few balls to spare—securing yet another title in thrilling fashion!
Match Highlights: Match 1: Matunga Gymkhana 92 all out (19 overs) | Bombay Gym 96-6 (15 overs). Semi-Final: Jolly Gymkhana B 125 all out (19 overs) | Bombay Gym 126-2 (12 overs). Final: Jolly Gymkhana A 159 all out (18.3 overs) | BG 160-6 (18.1 overs).
Standout Performances: Anshu Yadav (16 years old): Bowled brilliantly throughout, earning the ‘Best Bowler of the Tournament’ award. Mayur Barade: Delivered crucial knocks in the semi-final and final, winning ‘Best Batsman of the Tournament.’
Special Mentions: Rohan Punjani (59 off 22 in the semi-final). Madhav Kotak (outstanding fielding and clutch powerplay & death bowling). Zaosh Irani (consistent all-round performances).
Coaches Farhad Daruvala & Harshal Merchant provided invaluable inputs, motivating the team at every stage. Mr. Ratnakar & the traveling Bombay Gymkhana groundsman ensured that the boys felt comfortable even away from home. A fantastic team effort helped us retain our title in style!
RFS Talyarkhan Invitation T20 Cricket Tournament 2025:
One of the best T20 tournaments in A-Division Mumbai Club Cricket circuit to be played under lights at the hallowed grounds of the historic Bombay Gymkhana.
Top 8 teams of Bombay like CCI, MCA Colts, DY Patil Sports Academy, Mumbai Police Gymkhana Islam Gymkhana Hindu Gymkhana Bombay gymkhana & Parsee Gymkhana participated in this year’s edition where in some of the best Mumbai rst class, IPL age group players played.
Shams Mulani, Aakash Parkar, Jay Bista, Pragnesh Kanpillever, Ishaan Mulchandani, Dhaniya Raut and Atharva Ankolekar received the Man of the Match awards in their respective games and Best Batter went to Jay Bista, Best Bowler to Zaid Patankar and player of the tournament to Pragnesh Kanpillever.
Heartiest congratulations to MCA colts who won a nail biting final on the last ball. Hard luck to Parsee Gymkhana who also played some top cricket over the week. This was Cricket at its best…
By Vikrant Rambhia
