DY Patil 'B' set to rule

MUMBAI: Unless a miracle happens, DY Patil Group 'B' are all set to uncork the bubbly and celebrate their maiden Times Shield 'A' Division title on Friday at the suburban MIG Club.
On Day Two, DY Patil Group 'B' did most of the groundwork to ensure this possibility. They first dismissed the Western Railway Sports Association 'B' to 221 to gain a substantial 189-run lead, and then stretched that number to 430 by totaling 241-7 in second innings.
Western Railway 'B' have quite a few big-hitters in their array, most notably the explosive Asad Pathan, but it would be too much to expect them to chase down something close to 500 on a final day wicket. Anyways, to generate that possibility, they would have to get past two DY Patil Group 'B' batsmen at the crease who look good to bat till lunch.
Talented left-hander, Pankaj Jaiswal, who played at the U-22 level for Mumbai, was batting on a free-flowing 70 (107b, 12x4), while giving him company by Friday close was skipper Pravin Tambe, who had stroked an unbeaten 71 in the first innings, and then taken five wickets on Thursday.
The Railmen did put up a better show with the ball in the second innings, with seamer Anureet Singh trying his heart out while toiling manfully for 20 overs for his three scalps, but it was clear that time was running out for them. With first innings hero D Subramaniam unable to bat due to a groin injury, DY Patil 'B' didn't enjoy a great start.
They suffered from a bad decision too, as No3 bat Kausabh Pawar was given lbw off Anureet despite an inside edge. Yogesh Pawar (49), Sarvesh Damle (43), Nikhil Mandle 39 all looked good for as long as they were there, but the only man left standing in the top-order was the one who took the maximum risks.
His approach suggests Jaiswal doesn't believe in hanging around if he can't play his strokes. On Friday, he pulled off most of them, with a couple of sixes towards wide long on off left-arm spinner Nilesh Chauhan being the special ones.
Early in his innings, he was almost out while trying to sweep, but that didn't prevent him from persisting with the practice till he got it right! Clearly, this 22-year-old looks to be a fairly good limited overs player in the making. A youngster from Chembur with a most background, Jaiswal reluctantly admits that he did face “financial difficulties” while pursuing the game.
His explanation about his stay in the game, however, left one bewildered. “It was difficult to score, with the wicket having slowed down,” he said. So how the hell did he manage to go for the leather for most part of the day? “I just stuck to my natural game,” he said. Jaiswal's 'natural game' did enough to keep a one-sided contest entertaining.