When your team-mates are playfully accusing you of “scoring runs for fun”, odds are you’re in exquisite form with the bat.
That’s very much been the case for Yash Ramchandani, who’s begun the National School League (NSL) season with consecutive half-centuries to be tied as the leading run-scorer in Under-17 and the entire tournament.
As an encore to his knock of 58 in 62 balls last weekend, the Jumeirah College opener was even more efficient on Friday at The Sevens, swatting 54 runs off 44 balls to lead his side past JSS International School.
Despite being one of the brightest stars in the competition, the modest Ramchandani was quick to deflect praise to the rest of his team and particularly opening partner Yahya Saeed, who has been at his side with 33 and 37 runs, respectively, through the first two matches.
“It’s mainly because I’ve got great support from my team. I’ve had Yahya whose stuck with me through two games and we’ve got two 50 partnerships together so it’s been pretty good,” Ramchandani said.
What Ramchandani eluded to regarding his own performance, Jumeirah College coach Kyle Dawson was happy to vocalise, saying: “If you start well, it gives everyone the advantage to go on. Yash is batting absolutely beautifully at the minute. He’s not giving any chances at all, he’s timing the ball so nicely and his confidence is sky high.”
“I think our low middle order is probably stronger than any other side’s in the tournament.”
Few players were at the level of Ramchandani this weekend, but one of them was Harsh Bobade of Delhi Private School.
The U-14 opening batsman set the highest individual score yet for his age group, dispatching 11 fours to record 63 runs in just 38 balls for an eye-popping strike rate of 165.79. No other batsman on his team reached double figures, but the total of 119 was more than enough to defeat Ambassador School Dubai, who managed 76 in their 15 overs.
Considering DPS were batting first, combined with the rhythm Bobade was in, it’s not inconceivable to think the tournament’s first century could have been had.
Bobade, who was bowled out, said: “I was trying to be that aggressive and try to take on the bowlers in the starting overs. I got out in a very bad way, so I could have done better, could have scored a century today. I expected much more.”
In terms of bowling performances, Harsh Satidasani was spectacular with the ball.
Speaking my language: IHS’ Harsh Satidasani appeals to the umpire.
The left-arm orthodox spinner took four wickets to help restrict English Language School Dubai to 71 runs all-out, a figure Indian High School chased down in half the overs.
Satidasani said: “The pitch was playing really good and it got slow in-between the game and it was good overall.”
In Saturday’s slate of games, GEMS Modern Academy continued to look like juggernauts as both their U-14 and U-17 sides were victorious.
The U-17 clash with Kent College saw Modernite’s Ronak Panoly (52) outduel Vriitya Aravind Rudhravel Sasirekha (38), who is tied with Ramchandani for most runs in the tournament.
LOBO NOT LOCO WHEN HE CLAIMS OUR OWN ARE EVEN BETTER
The notion of a defending champion returning stronger is a scary thought for the rest of the NSL, but Neil Lobo believes Our Own English High School are even better this time around.
Opening their new campaign at Skyline University on Saturday, last year’s Under-15 winners looked impressive in a comfortable victory over Delhi Private School Sharjah in an U-17 clash, scoring 175 before skittling the opposition for 129.
Ajmal Mohammed and Lobo’s opening partnership set the tone, with the former knocking 55 in 39 balls and the latter adding 30. Last season’s squad set the bar high, but Lobo feels even more silverware could be on the way.
“It’s a great experience winning and winning is something we always love to do,” he said. “Being the winners of last year’s NSL, it’s a great start for us as we’re continuing our unbeaten streak so far.
“I feel our team is much better compared to last year’s team, we’re definitely coming back stronger and going to lift the trophy again.”
Ominous signs: Neil Lobo.
DPS Sharjah, however, split with their rivals on the day as the U-14 side earned a win on the strength of their bowling attack. Batting first, DPS set a challenging total of 101, but where they really shone was with the ball.
Our Own Zenith were held to just 47 runs, their innings ending prematurely in the 14th over as DPS took all 10 wickets, including four by Hardik Pai and three by Rishabh Mathur.
But it was the wicket of Our Own opener Shoun Roger by Varun Jaganath that Pai felt was the turning point and opened the floodgates for DPS. Pai was also glad to have received the confidence of captain Nikhil Ratesar to bowl his three overs, of which he needed just 16 balls to finish the job.
“I felt really happy that my captain gave me the opportunity to bowl,” he said.
