Riding on a fine all-round performance by Kush Sharma (33 off 36 and 3 for 15), Podar International School, Besa edged Aspire International School, Wardha Road by just 5 runs to advance to the final in the Boys’ Under-14 category of the MI Junior competition in Nagpur on Monday.

Put in to bat first, Podar could only manage 128/6 in 30 overs, with Kush top-scoring with a gutsy 33. Defending the low total, Kush shone with the ball too, taking 3 wickets for just 15 runs, bowling out Aspire International for 123.

In the rain-curtailed second semi-final in Nagpur, Riyansh Gupta (108* off 67 and 4 for 25) starred with bat and ball for Centre Point School, Katol Road to sink Centre Point School, Wardhman Nagar by 23 runs.

Batting first, Riyansh’s unbeaten ton drove Centre Point School, Katol Road to 153/3 in 20 overs. Riyansh then shone with the ball to limit Centre Point School, Wardhman Nagar to 130/9 in 20 overs.

Meanwhile, in a Girls’ Under-15 league game in Nagpur, Ridhima Dhok (44* off 43 and 3 for 7) showcased her outstanding all-round skills to lead Siddheshwar Vidyalaya, Manewada Road to an emphatic 10-wicket win against Jindal Public School, Dattawadi.

Ridhima’s crucial wickets dismantled Jindal Public School for only 104 runs. Siddheshwar Vidyalaya chased down the minuscule target in just 10.2 overs thanks to an unbeaten 44 by Ridhima.

The Boys’ Under-16 quarter-finals in Nagpur were called off due to rain. They will now take place tomorrow (13th February).

Brief Scores:

BOYS U14 (Semi-Finals)

1. Podar International School, Besa 128/6 in 30 overs (Kush Sharma 33; Kashyap Pataskar 3-18) beat Aspire International School, Wardha Road 123/8 in 30 overs (Kashyap Pataskar 42; Kush Sharma 3-15).

Player of the match: Kush Sharma

2. Centre Point School, Katol Road 153/3 in 20 overs (Riyansh Gupta 108*, Dreyash Rajput 35) beat Centre Point School, Wardhman Nagar 130/9 in 20 overs (Shlom Batra 34; Riyansh Gupta 4-25).

Player of the match: Riyansh Gupta

GIRLS U15 (League)

1. Bhavan’s BP Vidhya Mandir, Ashti 121/7 in 20 overs (Aarushi Ambad 3-22) beat Vidhya Sadhna Jaitala 105/9 in 20 overs (Auroshree Dash 2-9, Mishka Bhaskar Tayade 2-13).

Player of the match: Mishka Bhaskar Tayade

2. Jindal Public School, Dattawadi 104 all out in 17.1 overs (Ridhima Dhok 3-7, Gauri Madavi 3-12) lost to Siddheshwar Vidyalaya, Manewada Road 105/0 in 10.2 overs (Ridhima Dhok 44*).

Player of the match: Ridhima Dhok