Shree Cutchi Leva Patel Samaj Development team secured a thrilling 8-wicket victory over Kanbis Development to claim the Nairobi Provincial Cricket Association (NPCA) Division 3 League title at Jamhuri High School grounds.
Led by the indomitable Krushil Varsani, the Samaj team produced a well-balanced performance, capping off an impressive season with a decisive win in the final.
Varsani, Samaj’s opener and the league’s highest run-scorer, played a crucial role in the victory, as his team comfortably chased down Kanbis’ modest target of 119 runs, posting 123 for 2 in just 24 overs.
Reflecting on the team’s triumph, Varsani praised his side’s balance and depth, saying, “I believe we have the most balanced team. Our bowling has been strong throughout the season, and we just needed to execute as we have in every match. I’m chuffed for the win.”
Samaj’s Top Order Dominates
The final match saw Kanbis winning the toss and opting to bat first, but they struggled against Samaj’s disciplined bowling attack, getting bowled out for 119 runs in just 23 overs.
Samaj’s chase was equally efficient, with only two dismissals — Harshil Kerai (lbw) and Krushil Varsani (caught by Vinay Patel). Despite these losses, the top order comfortably guided the team to victory.
Varsani highlighted the importance of keeping the game under control during the chase. “The essence for us was to stay on the crease and avoid risks. With a low target, we knew we didn’t have to push too hard, and our top order did just that,” he added.
Kanbis’ Disappointment
Kanbis Development captain Kaushal Mepani expressed disappointment with the loss, as their hopes of completing a Kanbis club clean-sweep across all divisions were dashed.
Both the Kanbis A and B teams currently lead the Super and Division One leagues, but Samaj’s victory stopped their intended hattrick.
Mepani admitted that their batting fell short of expectations: “It was a good idea to bat first, but our openers and middle order didn’t score enough. When we dropped Vinay Kerai’s catch, that’s when I knew we had lost the game. We tried our best, but Samaj’s top order was resilient.”
Despite the loss, Mepani was named the Division’s Most Valuable Player (MVP), edging out Vinay Kerai and Varsani for the award, and vowed to make amends next season. “We are ashamed we didn’t make our team proud, but we will come back stronger next year,” he said.
Krushil Varsani Shines
Varsani, who amassed 432 runs in 8 innings at a stunning average of 86.40, finished the season as the Division 3’s highest run-scorer. His stellar performance with both bat and in the field — where he led with 9 dismissals — was a key factor in Samaj’s dominant campaign.
Kanbis’ Kaushal Mepani followed closely behind with 382 runs, while Vinay Kerai topped the bowling charts with 15 wickets, ahead of Samaj’s Khush Kerai.
A Dominant Campaign
Samaj Development’s journey to the title was marked by consistent performances throughout the season. They topped the 8-team round robin segment of the competition, earning their place in the semi-finals, where they defeated Sikh Union Development by 6 wickets to advance to the final.
Kanbis, on the other hand, overcame Ruaraka Development by 5 wickets to set up the much-anticipated showdown.
In the end, it was Samaj’s all-around strength that shone through in the final, as they clinched the NPCA Division 3 title and confirmed their status as one of the most formidable sides in the competition.
