Mount pile up 472 runs, highest ever in history of Lala Raghubir Cricket

Mount Cricket Club, riding high on their victory in the Laxman Dass Memorial Cricket Tournament, continued their fine run as they notched the highest ever team total in the history of Lala Raghubir Memorial Cricket Tournament, the 48th edition of which is being played at the Modern School Grounds in Barakhamba Road.

Mount scored 472/6 in the allotted 40 overs against LB Shastri Coaching Centre, bettering the 435/4 in 40 overs made by Rann Star Cricket Club in the semis of the 46th edition two years ago. Carpediem India had scored 403/8 in the final of the 47th edition last year.

Ankit Kumar, among the most graceful batsmen in Delhi circuit currently, scored 125 off 57 balls (13x4s, 10x6s) while skipper Yugal Saini hit 120 off 71 balls (11x4s, 6x6s).

"We had got a good start so I just carried on from where openers (Yash Bhatia and Ankit Kumar) had left," said the 22-year-old talented batsman Saini who has been leading the side well.

"The ground is small and the pitch is good, so getting big scores here is possible. But yes, we never thought that we will get these many. It was only after we had crossed 200 in 20 overs that we thought we should target 400 runs."

Yash Dabas hammered 88 off 35 balls (11x4s, 5x6s).

The LB Shastri Coaching Centre's bowling was weak compared to other big sides playing Hot Weather Tournaments, a fact acknowledged by Saini.

But it did include Delhi pace bowler Pranshu Vijayran, who went for 8.5 an over, conceding 68 in eight overs and getting the wicket of Ankit Kumar.

A target of 473 was always going to be tough for the young batsmen of LB Shastri Coaching Centre.

Left-arm spinner Puneet Mehra picked 4/18 in 5.5 overs as LB Shastri CC folded for 203 in 26.5 overs.

There were a couple of fifties from Abhishek (57 off 34) and Vaibhav Baisla (63 off 52). But that was it.

Tags : Mount Cricket Club, LB Shastri Coaching Centre, highest team total, Yugal Saini, Yash Dabas, Ankit Kumar