All-rounder Yogesh Patil struck a match-winning 57 runs which helped hosts Mumbai Police Gymkhana register a tight one-wicket victory against P.J. Hindu Gymkhana on the second day of their 2-day semi-final match of the 78th Police Invitation Shield Cricket Tournament 2025-26, organized jointly by the Commissionerate of Police Greater Mumbai and the Police Shield Committee and played at the Police Gymkhana ground on Sunday.
Yogesh Patil ( 57 runs)
In the second semi-final, New Hindu Cricket Club powered by the century knock from Prasad Pawar 109 runs (118-balls, 14×4,3×6) reached a total of 312 for 6 wickets in 67.4 overs in response to Victory Cricket Club’s innings of 311 all out in 70 overs.
Mumbai Police captain Rohit Pol (left), all-rounder Yogesh Patil (right) and Amol Tanpure contributed towards the victory.
Vishant More 75 runs, Gaurav Jathar unbeaten 51 runs and Varun Lavande 30 runs carried New Hindu to victory and a place in the finals. Victory CC’s Royston Dias 2 for 48 and Sumit Prajapati 2 for 51 were the successful bowlers.
Mumbai Police were tottering at 105 for 6 wickets in 28 overs. But number eight batsman Patil produced a late charge to rescue their innings. His rapid 50-ball half century effort was laced with six hits to the boundary ropes and three well-timed sixes.
Patil along with skipper Rohit Pal 24 runs put together a face-saving 80-run partnership for the seventh wicket. Their association lifted the total to 185 runs for the loss of seven wickets and put the team on the road to victory.
Hindu Gymkhana fought on bravely and picked up two quick wickets, but Mumbai Police captain Pol stayed calm to help his team cross the finish line with one wicket in hand. Earlier, opening bat Rudra Dhanday had made a 69-ball 41 runs.
Hindu Gymkhana captain and off-spinner Maxwell Swaminathan, who had scored an unbeaten 65 runs, claimed 3 for 34 runs, left-arm spinner Rohit Savant 3 for 35 and medium pacer Mohit Avasthi 3 for 55 got the wickets.
Earlier, Mumbai Police had restricted Hindu Gymkhana to 192 all out in 49 overs on the opening day.
Brief scores: P. J. Hindu Gymkhana 192 all out, 49 overs (Maxwell Swaminathan 65* (95-balls, 9×4,1×6); Yogesh Patil 4 for 59, Amol Tanpure 3 for 57) lost Mumbai Police Gymkhana 205 for 9, including 9 penalty runs, 46.5 overs (Yogesh Patil 57 (50-balls, 6×4,3×6), Rudra Dhandy 41 (69-balls, 6×4), Sachin Yadav 25, Rohit Pol 24*; Maxwell Swaminathan 3 for 34, Rahul Sawant 3 for 35, Mohit Avasthi 3 for 55). Result: Mumbai Police Gymkhana won by 1 wicket.
Victory Cricket Club 311 for all out, 70 overs (Aayush Zimare 74, Pragnesh Kanpillewar 68, Suved Parkar 64, Aayush Zimare 61*, Jay Bista 39; Shreyas Gurav 5 for 29) lost New Hindu Cricket Club 312 for 6, 67.4 overs (Prasad Pawar 109 (118-balls, 14×4,3×6), Vishant More 75, Gaurav Jathar 51*, Varun Lavande 30; Royston Dias 2 for 48, Sumit Prajapati 2 for 51). Result: New Hindu Cricket Club won by 4 wickets.