Swamibapa A Team are the champions of the NCCA Super Division 50-Overs League after amassing an unassailable 52 points from 15 matches, sealing the title in emphatic fashion with a 7-wicket win over SCLPS YL A Team at Samaj ground Sunday with a game to spare.
The champions were simply impressive all season, winning 13 and losing only 2 games to finish 12 points clear at the top with a Net Run Rate of 1.299.
“It is a title built on consistency, depth in batting and a disciplined bowling unit that never allowed opponents to settle,” said Swamibapa batter Sachin Gill.
After an indifferent start to the league, losing 2 of the first 4 games, Swamibapa went on a run of 11 consecutive wins to seal the title that has eluded them for more than a decade. The victory that sealed the crown summed up their dominance. SCLPS YL A Team posted a competitive 282/7 in 50 overs, thanks to Hiren Kerai’s fighting 87 off 93 balls.
But Swamibapa chased it down with ease, reaching 284/3 in just 42.1 overs. The star of the chase was captain Rushabh Patel, who smashed 111 off just 94 balls with 17 fours and a six at a strike rate of 118.09.
Swamibapa were off to a flier as the openers put on a 156 runs partnership with Jignesh Hirani scoring a half century (51 runs) supporting his captain on the other end.
He was ably supported by Player of the Match Onkar Haresh Jadhav, who hammered 61 off 43 balls at 141.86, continuing his outstanding season with both bat and ball.
Jadhav has been Swamibapa’ s talisman. In the runs leaderboard, he sits 4th overall with 837 runs from 14 innings at a superb average of 83.70 and strike rate of 108.28, making him the highest run-scorer for the champions. He is joined in the Top 10 by Dhwanil Patel, who has 626 runs from 13 innings at an average of 56.91.
With the ball against SCLPS YL, Jadhav also led the way with 3 for 45 from 9 overs, while Sachin Gill was economical with 2 for 46 from 10 overs. Throughout the season, the Swamibapa attack led by Sachin Gill, Peter Koech, Jadhav and the rest of the bowling unit have defended totals and restricted oppositions, which is reflected in their healthy NRR.
The club must acknowledge the collective effort of the entire squad, but special mention goes to Onkar Haresh Jadhav for his all-round brilliance, Rushabh Patel for his match-winning century in the title-deciding game, Dhwanil Patel for his consistency in the top order, and bowlers Sachin Gill and the experienced core who delivered under pressure.
The overall runs leaderboard in the Super Division is led by Sir Ali Muslim Club A Team’s Faraz Ahmad with 935 runs from 14 innings at an average of 66.79 and an astonishing strike rate of 147.24. He is followed by Ruaraka A Team duo Satyalaksha Jain with 887 runs and Omkar Ghule with 849 runs. Shubham Patel of Sikh Union A Team is fifth with 784 runs.
Kanbis A defeated Sir Ali A in a closely contested match at Eastleigh Ground. Sir Ali A won the toss and elected to bat first and struggled with the bat with leading run scorer Faraz Ahmed failing for a 8duck for a second successive match. Ahmad Bhatti scored a crucial hundred (101 runs) to propel his side to 209 runs after being at 114/9 at one stage of the match.
Smit Patel 3/47, Nelson 2/21, Kushagar Sharma 2/37 were the main wicket takers. In response, Kanbis A’s formidable batting failed miserably and were lucky to pull of the chase with vital contributions from veteran Rakep Patel 32 runs and Nelson Odhiambo 32 runs to secure a 1 wicket victory and move their side to second on the table.
The former champion, Ruaraka A recovered from last week’s defeat against Kanbis A to beat Stray Lions A by 38 runs in a low scoring encounter at Nairobi Club. Stray Lions A remained bottom of the table after yet another defeat.
At Nairobi Gymkhana, the home side pilled on more misery on struggling Sikh Union side by posting a mammoth total of 321 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in their allotted 50 overs.
Mohit Jhawa continued with his impressive form with the bat with another fine century (125 runs) to help his side post a formidable total. In response, Sikh Union A were bowled out for 175 in only 38.5 overs handing Gymkhana a huge win by 146 runs – the biggest margin of the weekend.
–NCCA Division One Result: 11-Oct-26–
At Jamhuri High School: Swamibapa B Team 221/7 (35.0) beat Ruaraka B Team 101/8 (35.0) by 120 runs.
At Viraj International Academy, Katani: Kenya Kongonis Cricket Club A Team 248/7 (50.0) beat Wolves Cricket Club A Team 132/10 (31.2) by 116 runs.
At Sikh Union Club: Sikh Union B Team 206/10 (39.0) lost to SCLPS YL B Team 207/5 (26.4) by 5 wickets. At Sir Ali, Sir Ali B 158/2 defeated Legends CC A 157/10 by 8 wickets. Division One Points Table