COVID-19 knocks out future Kanga Knockouts, Comrade games

Players celebrates a wicket during a Dr HD Kanga Cricket League knockout match at Cross Maidan yesterday. Pic/Bipin Kokate

The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) held 50 Dr HD Kanga knockout games at various maidans on Sunday. However, with increasing COVID-19 cases, as per the state government's fresh guidelines, all remaining matches are suspended till the latest restrictions end.

In a Group A game, Pathare Prabhu Cricketers beat Dadar CC by 53 runs at Shivaji Park, thanks to Vaibhav Kamble's unbeaten 113. At Azad Maidan, riding on opener Abhishek Yadav's unbeaten 101, Jaico CC thrashed SF Sassanian CC by 74 runs.

Union Cricket Academy's pacer Karim Mohammed starred in his team's 138-run triumph over Diamond Star Cricket Club by claiming 6-18 at Azad Maidan. "Whenever the government allows games on the maidans, we will restart both tournaments," MCA's tournament coordinator Abhay Hadap told mid-day on Sunday.

MCA's joint secretary Shah Alam, who inaugurated the Kanga knockout tournament at Cross Maidan on Sunday, said: "We will speak to the government officials and ask them about the precautions needed to be taken and further guidelines. If they tell us to stop cricketing activities throughout the week, we will adhere to their instructions. They mentioned closing all maidans, so we will ask them about MCA's Bandra-Kurla Complex and Kandivali clubs."

Former India opener Kenia Jayantilal, 73, was expected to be at Cross Maidan as chief guest for the Kanga knockouts' inauguration but he stayed away due to the current situation.

"There is no need to play matches in such a situation. There is no Ranji Trophy or other big tournament ahead so why take a risk? Players are using local transport and if some of them get infected, will MCA take responsibility?" asked Jayantilal.