Inaugural Wheelchair Cricket Match In Pune: Mumbai Triumphs Over Maharashtra

The Rotary Club of Pune Central orchestrated a historic event as the first-ever Wheelchair Cricket Match took place at the Poona Club Cricket Ground on March 10, 2024. Leading the charge were the Mumbai Wheelchair Cricket Team under the captaincy of Vishwanath Gurav, facing off against the Maharashtra Wheelchair Cricket Team, led by Omkar Roundale. Rtn Ajay Chitnis, President of Rotary Club of Pune Central, introduced the teams to the esteemed Chief Guest, Sunil Handa, President of the Poona Club Ltd.

Winning the toss, Vishwanath Gurav opted to field first. Despite a promising start by the Maharashtra Team, spearheaded by Ravindra Baravkar’s impressive 74 runs off 54 balls, Mumbai’s bowlers, led by Gurav and Dinesh Metupalli, restricted them to 127 for 7 in 20 overs.

In response, Mumbai faced an early setback, losing three wickets quickly. However, Santosh Ranjgane (45 off 19 balls) and Dinesh Mettupalli (32 off 26 balls) steered their team to victory, reaching 128 for 4 in just 12 overs.

Mumbai’s victory showcased their experience and cohesion, with two players currently representing India in the Wheelchair Cricket Team and their captain being a former national player. While the Maharashtra Team may have faced defeat, the match provided invaluable exposure for the budding team, setting a strong foundation for their future endeavors on the national stage.

Commodore Ajay Chitnis, President of Rotary Club of Pune Central, commended both teams for their remarkable performance and sportsmanship. Ravindra Baravkar was named the Best Batsman, Vishwanath Gurav received the Best Bowler award, and Dinesh Metupalli was declared the Man of the Match. Mumbai Team clinched the Winners Trophy, while the home team settled for the Runners-up Trophy. Each player was honored with Gold and Silver medals, respectively, celebrating their participation and dedication to the sport.