After a successful launch of the Mumbai leg, MI Junior’s Pune leg also started smoothly today in the presence of Maharashtra Cricket Association officials. Over 400 players from 28 teams from 18 different schools are participating in this edition. 

This annual event serves as a great platform for budding cricketers in Maharashtra, offering them valuable game time and exposure. Organised in collaboration with cricket associations, including the Mumbai Cricket Association, Vidarbha Cricket Association, and Maharashtra Cricket Association, MI Junior aims to contribute to grassroots development and provide opportunities for learning in both education and sports under the Education and Sports for All (ESA) initiative.

The inaugural day of Mumbai Indians Junior Season 4 in Pune saw Vibgyor High, Balewadi, get off to a flyer in the Boys’ Under-14 category, while Blue Ridge Public School dominated in the Boys’ Under-16 category.

A brisk ton by Shaurya Gaikwad (120 off 83) led Vibgyor High to a massive 449-run victory over Podar International School, Sara City Chakan.

Vivan Shirke (81* off 46) and Viren Shirke (78* off 40) provided ample support to Shaurya, guiding Vibgyor High to a mammoth total of 504 in the first innings. Podar International were then skittled out for just 55 runs thanks to a five-wicket haul by Vihaan Parab (5-10).

In another Boys’ Under-14 game, Aryan Daga starred with bat and ball to steer The Orchid School to a comfortable 134-run victory against Jai Hind High School.

Batting first, Orchid School put up a commendable total of 231/7 on the board, thanks to a well-made 99 by Aryan. In response, Jai Hind were bowled out for 97 runs, with Aryan (5 for 23) doing most of the damage.

In the Boys’ Under-16 category, Aarav Agrawal’s all-round heroics drove Blue Ridge Public School to a dominant 8-wicket win over Anglo Urdu Boys High School.

Put in to bat first, Anglo Urdu were bowled out for 99 runs, with Aarav taking 6 wickets for just 18 runs.

Riding high on his six-for, Aarav (54* off 61) shone with the bat to take Blue Ridge Public School across the finish line.

Elsewhere, in the Girls’ Under 15 category, The Orchid School were bowled out for a meagre total of 49, which Sinhgad City School easily chased down in 2.1 overs.

Srushti Suryavanshi stole the show for Sinhgad City, taking two wickets before scoring a quick-fire 31* off 13 balls with the bat.

Brief Scores:

BOYS U14

1. Dr. G.G Shah English Medium School 29 all out in 12.1 overs (Aryan D 4-3) lost to Aaryans World School 33/1 in 2.3 overs.

Player of the match: Aryan D

2. Vibgyor High, Balewadi 504/4 in 40 overs (Shaurya Gaikwad 120, Vivan Shirke 81*, Viren Shirke 78*) beat Podar International School, Sara City Chakan 55 all out in 12.5 overs (Vihaan Parab 5-10, Tanay Prabhat 4-9).

Player of the match: Shaurya Gaikwad

3. The Orchid School 231/7 in 40 overs (Aryan Daga 99, Ishaan Ghatnekar 76) beat Jai Hind High School 97 all out in 21.5 overs (Aryan Daga 5-23, Ishaan Ghatnekar 3-33).

Player of the match: Aryan Daga

4. Angel Mickey Minie School 144 all out in 29 overs (Gajanan Tekale 24; Mayur Jadhao 3-26) beat Indira National School 118 all out in 22.1 overs (Tanush Pandkar 32*; Kaustubh Sawant 4-13).

Player of the match: Kaustubh Sawant

BOYS U16

1. Anglo Urdu Boys High School 99 all out in 25.5 overs (Aarav Agrawal 6-18, Neerav Agrawal 3-21) lost to Blue Ridge Public School 103/2 in 21.1 overs (Aarav Agrawal 54*).

Player of the match: Aarav Agrawal

2. The Kalyani School 111 all out in 21.5 overs (Ansh Tilloo 36; Prem N 5-9) lost to J.N. Petit Technical High School 112/7 in 23.4 overs (Raj Deokar 31; Anirudha Kheradkar 3-27).

Player of the match: Prem N

GIRLS U15

1. Dr.G.G Shah English Medium School 38/7 in 18 overs (Vaishnavi Rajesh Singh 2-1, Sharvari Khilari 2-7) lost to Jai Hind High School, Pimpri 39/0 in 1.3 overs (Muskaan Shaik 11*).

Player of the match: Sharvari Khilari

2. The Orchid School 49 all out in 13.1 overs (Anannya Salaskar 4-8, Siddhi Shelar 3-7, Srushti Suryavanshi 2-7) lost to Sinhgad City School 51/0 in 2.1 overs (Srushti Suryavanshi 31*).

Player of the match: Srushti Suryavanshi