It was a memorable day for Shivam Deepak Kothari, who not only showcased remarkable temperament but also registered his maiden century under the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) setup, guiding Yajuvindra Singh XI to a fighting total of 274 all out in their first innings against Chandrakant Pandit XI in the ongoing Under-19 K.C. Mahindra Shield 2025-26 tournament.
Coming in at No. 6, with his team reeling at 67 for 4, Shivam anchored the innings brilliantly. Showing maturity well beyond his age, he absorbed early pressure from a disciplined bowling attack and gradually built his innings with great patience and technique. His knock of 112 off 218 balls, studded with 16 fours and 2 sixes, became the backbone of Yajuvindra Singh XI’s recovery.
Shivam’s partnerships with the lower-middle order proved crucial in steering the team to a respectable total. He added 43 runs with Aadit Bahutule (26 off 49) and later forged a resilient 87-run stand with Sarthak Bhide (23 off 107) for the eighth wicket — a partnership that frustrated the bowlers and changed the momentum of the innings.
Earlier in the day, Aakash Suraj Mangde (44 off 41) and Tanveer Chauhan (50 off 110) provided short-lived resistance before Shivam’s gritty effort took charge.
For Chandrakant Pandit XI, Pranav Pravin Nijai was the standout bowler with 4 for 76, while Raje Amartya impressed with 3 for 34, maintaining tight control throughout his spell.
In response, Chandrakant Pandit XI finished Day 2 at 104 for 3 in 25 overs, with Raza Mirza unbeaten on 35 (53 balls) and A. Patil on 19 (43 balls). The side trails by 170 runs, with the match finely balanced heading into Day 3.
