Hyderabad: Plenty to cheer as Phoenix assert superiority

HYDERABAD: For Daniel Manohar, it's one step at a time. The former Hyderabad opener, who made a smashing debut by putting the likes of Javagal Srinath and Venkatesh Prasad to sword, has reason to be happy with the title triumph of the Phoenix Cricket Academy in the RVM under-14 tournament. It's a step in the right direction for the boys, who defeated Crick Masters Cricket Academy by 18 runs in the final of the league-cum-knockoout tournament where four teams participated. Phoenix made a good start to the tournament as they won their first two games convincingly. They lost the final league game to Gladiator Sports Academy by 10 wickets, but to their credit, regrouped quickly to thrash Playfit CA by seven wickets in the semis. Phoenix CA is the brainchild of Manohar and he credited the boys for their winning effort. "Most of the team members started playing for the first time two years back and they have been working hard, winning some games and losing some," he told TOI on Wednesday. "But it is most heartwarming to see them slowly but surely develop their game and improve their performance. Lack of consistency is a concern, but they're still young and I'm sure with more exposure, they will get better in this aspect." Manohar also lauded the team for its work ethic despite tough times. "There is no substitute for hard work and this team deserves the credit for relentlessly doing their fitness drills during the lockdown. Phoenix conducted online drills during lockdown and the hard work of the boys paid off," he said. Indian Test player GH Vihari was the chief guest at the valedictory. He lauded the boys for their effort and urged them to cultivate a winning habit. "It's heartning to see the U-14 boys win the tournament. Winning at this age will inculcate the winning habit," Vihari said. He also recounted his experiences to the boys. "I myself came up playing all the age levels. It's a process and we have to keep growing as a player. More than as an individual, learn to play as a team and that will take you places," he exhorted. Brief scores (final): Phoenix CA 141 in 30 overs (Vinayak 43, Ravi Kumar 31; Kritin 3/21) bt Crick Masters CA 123/4 in 30 overs (Medansh 30 no, Kritin 42; Tejas 2/16). SF: Playfit CA 108 in 26.2 overs (Divit 38, Prajwal 4/9, Harshit 3/30) lost to Phoenix CA 109/3 in 20.3 overs (Dharmik 47 no, Vinayak 39 no). League matches: Phoenix CA 162/9 in 30 overs (Sai Ghani 22, Ravi Kumar 58, Puneeth 28) bt Crick Masters CA 85 in 24.3 overs (Pritam 52, Sudeev 2/7, Prajwal 2/17, Harshit 2/22, Sai Ghani 2/9). Phoenix CA 204/6 in 30 overs (Vinayak 29, Ravi Kumar 70 no, Suvik 3/29) bt Playsfit CA 100/9 in 30 overs (N Akhil 35, Prajwal 4/17, Shourya 2/24, Tejas 2/11). Phoenix CA 90 in 25.3 overs (Vinayak 32, Ibrahim Baig 3/35, Hari 5/33) lost to Gladiator Sports Academy 91/6 in 27.5 overs (Muddhasir 24 no, Vishwak 2/14). Best batsman: Ravi Kumar (Phoenix CA). Man of the Series: Vinayak (Phoenix CA).