T20 MUMBAI | Saxena stars as ARCS Andheri tops the table

Divyaansh Saxena equalled Hardik Tamore’s fastest fifty record in T20 Mumbai history with a breathtaking 17-ball half-century before remaining unbeaten on 88 (39b, 12×4, 4×6) as ARCS Andheri surged to the top of the standings with a crushing nine-wicket win over Eagle Thane Strikers at the Wankhede Stadium on Friday.

Chasing a meagre target of 130, Andheri was never in trouble. Southpaw Saxena tore into the bowling from the outset, peppering boundaries off Strikers captain Shardul Thakur and speedster Onkar Tarmale at will.

With Saxena dictating terms, Ayush Jethwa played the supporting role effectively, rotating strike and allowing his opening partner complete freedom. By the time Jethwa departed, the contest had effectively ended, with Saxena sealing victory with 50 deliveries remaining.

Earlier, it was captain Shivam Dube and his bowlers who laid the platform for Andheri. After opting to bat, the Strikers never recovered from an underwhelming PowerPlay despite brief resistance from Sairaj Patil (34) and wicketkeeper Eknath Kerkar (27), whose 41-run partnership temporarily steadied the innings.

Off-spinner Prasoon Singh starred with three wickets, while Dube and Ajay Mishra claimed two wickets each as Strikers were bowled out for 129. The collapse was emphatic: Andheri conceded just 26 runs and took five wickets across the final four overs.

Meanwhile, Thursday night saw Bandra Blasters register its first win of the season with a four-wicket victory over Triumph Knights Mumbai North East. India captain Suryakumar Yadav’s struggles continued as he managed only four runs off six deliveries, while rival skipper Suved Parkar’s second consecutive fifty helped Blasters chase down 179 comfortably.

The scores: Eagle Thane Strikers 129 in 20 overs (Sairaj Patil 34, Eknath Kerkar 27, Prasoon Singh 3/22, Ajay Mishra 2/13, Shivam Dube 2/19) lost to ARCS Andheri 130/1 in 11.4 overs (Divyaansh Saxena 88 n.o.).

Triumph Knight Mumbai North East 178/8 in 20 overs (Nutan Goel 40, Parikshit Valsangkar 36 n.o., Jayesh Pokhare 31 n.o., Sagar Chhabria 3/25, Dhrumil Matkar 2/31) lost to Bandra Blasters 179/6 in 19.3 overs (Suved Parkar 53, Jay Jain 49 n.o., Sagar Mishra 2/21).