23 February,2020 07:10 AM IST | Mumbai | Subodh Mayure
Minad Manjrekar bowls against Puducherry at Wankhede on Saturday. Pic/ Suresh Karkera
Though the Mumbai Cricket Association-IDBI Federal Life Insurance Bowling Foundation scheme ended four years ago, it is still reaping rewards. Mumbai U-23 pacer Minad Manjrekar, who has benefited from a one-month training stint in Queensland under the watchful eyes of the Australian pace legend Jeff Thomson four years ago, on Saturday credited his fifer (5-41) against Puducherry during the CK Nayudu Trophy quarter-final at Wankhede, to the lessons learnt from Thomson.
Manjrekar's fiery bowling helped the hosts bundle out Puducherry for 209. In reply, the Hardik Tamore-led home reached 112-1 at stumps on Day One.
"Speed is my forte and I am just taking the advantage of it. When I have to bowl on such wicket [at Wankhede] where speed matters more, I try to consistently bowl with speed. That helps a lot," Manjrekar, who took 39 wickets in nine games this season, told mid-day on Saturday.
Recalling his training days with Thomson, Manjrekar said: "He [Thomson] told me never to strive for accuracy by reducing speed. He used to tell me, 'try and bowl with speed and then accuracy will increase.' He always stressed on 'bowling quick', so I am just following his advice. Off-spinner Tanush Kotian (3-37) gave Manjrekar good support, while pacers Arjun Tendulkar and Sairaj Patil claimed one wicket each.
In reply, Mumbai U-23 openers Aman Khan (64) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (42 not out) started off well, putting on 98 for the first wicket. Aman played his usual attacking game, hitting 13 fours during his 52-ball stay.
Brief scores
Pondicherry 209 (A Kargave 50, P Ratnaparkhe 32, George 31; M Manjrekar 5-41, T Kotian 3-37) v Mumbai 112-1 (A Khan 64, Y Jaiswal 42'; S Jangir 1-47)
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