Gems Modern Academy emerge champions
Player of Series Roger’s effort in vain as Panoly hits match winning unbeaten knock
Gems Modern Academy School, riding on UAE’s Under-16 team opener Ronak Panoly’s unbeaten 89 runs, emerged as the champions of the Elite School League (ESL) conducted by former Indian all-rounder Robin Singh’s Sports Academy at the Ajman MCC ground.
Chasing Our Own English High School, Sharjah’s impressive total of 150 for three in 20 overs, Gems reached the target losing just two wickets with six balls to spare. Gem’s triumph resulted in Our Own’s Shoun Roger’s stupendous effort of virtually carrying his team into the final through his consistent knocks, going in vain.
In the final too, he cracked 84 runs off 57 balls to give his team a strong total. His effort won him the players of the series award.
For Gems, to score at a run rate of 7.5 wasn’t easy but Panoly maintained the scoring rate through his 89 runs that came off 58 balls and skipper Varun Nayanar’s 39 runs. Shivam Ghosh too hit a quick 33 runs.
Speaking to Gulf News after receiving the player of the final award, Panoly said: “We were only 53 runs in the first 10 overs but my skipper Varun induced confidence in me to go for the runs backing me with a useful knock. I kept my cool and was delighted to help my team reach the target. I am happy that I won the player of the match in semi-final and final.”
This league, contested by 30 schools, was backed by Aster and Transworld Group as title sponsors, helped Robin Singh, who watched all the matches identify 22 top talented players that includes top performers like Roger, Panoly, Ahaan Fernandes of Cambridge International School Dubai, R Aakash of Delhi Private School and N Pancholi of Indian High School.
Free training
They will receive a high-performance free training at the Robin Singh Sports Academy. Singh also announced that a few students, based on their performance, will be given an opportunity to experience the prestigious Indian Premier League through interactive sessions
Gems Modern Academy bt Our Own English High School, Sharjah by eight wickets.
Our Own English High School 150 for 3 in 20 overs (Shoun Roger 84. J. Anirudh 23) Gems Modern Academy 154 for 2 in 18.5 overs (Ronak Panoly 89n.o, Shivam Ghosh 33, Varun Nayanar 39). with some of the international cricketers.
“Competitions as these not only provide a platform for students to display their skills, but also serve as a strategic tool to monitor the expertise of cricket among students in the UAE and tailor the coaching curriculum. At RS Sports Academy, we are committed to provide the right training and facilities to the budding talent in the country to ensure we get a continue flow of cricketers coming to the national teams. We are overwhelmed with the participation we’ve received in the inaugural edition and I am confident that the league will certainly become an annual event in years to come,” said Singh, who trains its students with the help of data and video analytics.
This tournament matches were live streamed to YouTube and Facebook. Vipul. the Consul General of India presented the trophy to the winners.