Dnyandeep Seva Mandal School from Nerul has secured the prestigious 124th Giles Shield title, triumphing over Swami Vivekanand International School (Borivli) by four wickets on the final day of the Dream Sports Mumbai School Sports Association (MSSA) Giles Shield at Brabourne Stadium, Churchgate, on Thursday.
Starting Day Three with a challenging 58-5 after 17 overs, SVIS managed to post a total of 178 for 8 in their allotted 40 overs, setting the target for Dnyandeep at 125 runs. Shauryakant Upadhyaya played a pivotal role, scoring a brilliant 94 off 92 balls (including 8 fours), while captain Kartik Chhajer contributed an unbeaten 58 off 96 balls (2 fours). Their partnership of 132 runs for the sixth wicket off 164 balls was crucial in SVIS’s fightback.
In response, Dnyandeep Seva Mandal approached their chase with composure and strategy, reaching 128 for 6 in just 34.5 overs to clinch the title. Atharv Kalel was the standout performer, scoring 56 off 97 balls (7 fours).
This victory marks a significant achievement for Dnyandeep Seva Mandal, who were runners-up last year. Coach Abdul Khan expressed his joy, stating, “Winning this title feels amazing after last year’s defeat. Our boys gave their all, and I have faith that some will progress to the Harris Shield next year, aiming for another win.”
SVIS coach Lalu Yadav reflected on the loss, attributing it to fielding errors. “This defeat is tough for us. If we hadn’t missed some catches in the first innings, we might have turned the match around. However, it’s a valuable lesson for our young players. We will train harder and return stronger,” he noted.
Former Indian cricketer Sandeep Patil, the chief guest at the final, shared his insights with the young players. “I once sat in the North Stand, hoping to play here, and I did, for the Cricket Club of India (CCI). It’s inspiring to see around 200 schools participating today, a testament to our past efforts,” said Patil, who has played 29 Tests, scoring 1588 runs at an average of 36.93.
Patil also advised the young cricketers, stating, “Avoid getting too caught up in T20 cricket. While it’s entertaining to watch, the real challenge lies in Test matches. They test your patience and skills, and that’s where you can rise to represent our nation in any format.”