CONSISTENT FIELDING HIGH ON RAJIV'S AGENDA AS PREPARATIONS INTENSIFY.

"The only (area of improvement) I can think of is having a consistent effort on the field with energy and intensity, especially in high-scoring game. If we can be consistent as a fielding side, it can give us more consistency overall in our skills department as well. In the field, we can still improve a lot. "

With the likes of Rajiv Gokani, Manan Shah, Gautam Parolia, Vishal Kalantri, Anish Bhansali, Dhanesh Chheda and Mahavir Shah, HSI Lions have set themselves standards higher since 2013. 

"We have spoken to the people in the practice sessions who need to do the extra effort to sharpen their fielding, and they are putting in that extra effort", Rajiv adds. "That is the only area we feel we can get better at. Obviously, batting and bowling are big variables. Fielding is something that is controllable and you need to get that from all the 11 players in the field. I certainly feel we can improve quite a bit in that department."

JBCN United pull off a 25 run win after HSI Lions Anant Roongta's 48 ball 84

A spectacular Anant Roongta power-hitting showcase was not enough to lift HSI Lions out of a pit of the middle-order's making, though it did fill the chase of 200 with much more explosive fun than it promised when HSI Lions were 40 for 4. Anant wallopped 7 sixes and 5 fours on his way to 84 off 48 balls. But with 40 still needed for victory, Roongta mis-hit a length ball from Kamlesh Shah, from where Parag Shah sprinted to complete an excellent catch.

In the end though, their dramatic middle-overs collapse, in which HSI Lions had lost four wickets for 10 runs, proved to be the definitive period of the game. Anant's heroics, at least, were further evidence that he is a vastly improved batsman compared to the last season. A 5^th wicket partnership of 120 runs between Rajiv Gokani and Anant Roongta kept the chase alive.

Akshay Chadha struck a 49-ball 72, putting on a 132-run stand for the first wicket with Avanish Shah 68 from 44 balls, that formed the base for JBCN United's commanding total.

 The opening partnership provided fireworks, before proving effective in the middle overs once more. And Anshuman Agarwalla was terrific on what was now a surface offering moderate turn, taking 2 for 20 from his 4 overs, having precipitated that  middle-order meltdown.

HSI Lions effected one run outs in the innings, but even that didn't quite make up for their lack of menace in the middle overs again dropping catches, misfielding and giving extras. JBCN first team to qualify for Bronze Semifinals.

Summary: JBCN United 199 for 5 (Akshay Chadha 72, Avanish Shah 68, Neesham 64) beat HSI Lions 174 for 8 (Anant Roongta 84, Rajiv Gokani 36, Kamlesh Shah 3-38) by 25 runs

TOP 5 BATSMAN

School Dads 2018 is entered the knock out phase and all top teams have begun preparing themselves for the upcoming Buddies Bash 2019 as well.

We have enjoyed many special innings from special batsmen this year and numerous records were broken.

Teams has showed how cricket has evolved into a batsman's game. There has been a lot of competition among batsmen and to stand out among the crowd requires something special.

Here are the five best batsmen in School Dads 2018:

1. 1.       ASGAR KHAN (United Gladiators) | Runs: 365 | H/S: 164*
2. 2.       CHARLES SAM (Scottish Stars) | Runs: 207 | H/S: 108
3. 3.       VIDYUT SODHA (Truly Marians) | Runs: 205 | H/S: 114
4. 4.       JAIRAJ THAKKER (Supernovas) | Runs: 199 | H/S: 74
5. 5.       SANJAY BOHRA (JB Superdads) | Runs: 183 | H/S: 68*

**Note Above Stats are dated upto 19 Jan 2019