Wriddhi, Laxmi powers Mohun Bagan to P.Sen final. XtraTime[/caption]Kolkata: A blitzkrieg from Wrdhiman Saha 100 (37) and Laxmi Ratan Shukla 50 (19) powered Mohun Bagan to the P.Sen trophy final at the Eden Gardens on Saturday. Chasing a modest total of 197 runs, Mohun Bagan romped home in just 13.2 overs with 8 wickets to spare. Saha scored the second fastest ton in local club cricket reaching the three figure mark off only 37 balls while Laxmi reached his half century off just 19 balls. Mohun Bagan will now meet Kalighat in the final on June 27 at Eden Gardens.
Bagan won the toss and put Netaji Subhash Institute to bat first. But a brilliant spell of bowling by Vivek Singh (37/4) and Anustup Majumder (35/3) did not allow the NSI batsman enough opportunities to score as they got bundled out for only 197 runs in 46.5 overs. Anirban Gupta was the top scorer for NSI with 40*.
In reply the Bagan openers were on fire from the word go as Wriddhiman and Vivek scored at will. Saha was the more attacking of the two as he made full use of the long handle. Vivek got out after scoring 31 off 16 balls. Cricketer turned politician Shukla, playing his first competitive match after some time looked in ominous form as he raced to 50* in just 19 balls which included 3 sixes and 6 boundaries. Wriddhi on the other end kept on scoring at will as he reached his ton in just 37 balls. The Indian stumper who will be leaving for West Indies next month to play in the test series scored his hundred with 7 sixes and 11 hits to the fence. Saha failed to better the fastest hundred he scored off 28 balls against Ananda Bazar last season in JC Mukherjee Trophy.
Laxmi, who played his first competitive match after a gap of almost five and half months, looked at ease to be sharing the dressing room with his teammates not so long ago. The former Bengal captain played his last club match in January against George Telegraph at the Bhowanipore ground. On being asked about his experience of being back at the cricket field, he said, “I have not changed at all. I experienced the same feeling as I did during my playing days. I still feel it is my second home.”
Laxmi, though is doubtful to play in Monday’s final against Kalighat. According to the Minister of Sports, “I thought the final was on Sunday. But with the final being scheduled for Monday, I doubt whether I can play or not as I have prior political commitments.”
The former Bengal all rounder looked happy to be back playing a cricket match. “Both Chief Minister Mamata Didi and Arup Roy urged me not to leave the game and carry on playing the sport I loved. So here I am playing the match. I will continue to do so whenever I find time from my busy schedule,” said Laxmi.
Centurion Wriddhiman Saha credited his partnership with Laxmi for the win. According to Saha, “The fact that they missed a few opportunities made my job a little easier.”
On being asked that Mohun Bagan is on the verge of winning four trophies this season, Saha said, “We had to be content with winning just a trophy or two in last few seasons. But we always had the team to win more trophies, and this season we are proving it.”
Mohun Bagan, who has already won three trophies (JC Mukherjee, Senior Knock Out, Super League) will be eyeing their fourth trophy of the season.
Scores in brief:
Netaji Subhash Institute – 197/10 in 46.5 overs. Anirban Gupta 40* Vivek Singh 37/4
Mohun Bagan – 199/2 in 13.2 overs. Wriddhiman 100 (37) , Laxmi 50 (19)
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