Published: Jan 22, 2016, 08:06 PM (IST)
Edited: Jan 22, 2016, 08:07 PM (IST)
Mumbai Heroes led by Riteish Deshmukh is one of the eight franchises featuring in the Celebrity Cricket League (CCL) 2016. Deshmukh, who began his CCL career with Mumbai Heroes in the inaugural edition of 2011 went on to switch his team to Veer Marathi. He played for that side for three years from 2012 to 2015. Mumbai Heroes was in Group B in the previous edition with Chennai Rhinos, Kerala Strikers, and Veer Marathi the other sides in the Group. Playing three matches, Mumbai won two and lost one thereby finishing second in the group stage behind Chennai Rhinos. READ: Kerala Strikers CCL Team 2016: Schedule, Squad, and Player details
Mumbai Heroes had begun their campaign in 2015 facing Deshmukh’s then team Veer Marathi. Bollywood actor Bobby Deol was Mumbai’s skipper who managed to begun the season with awin in the opening match. Marathi batting first posted a total of 230 runs. However, the rain gods did not go their side and Mumbai needed to chase down 178 in 15 overs according to Duckworth Lewis Method. A collective effort from Mumbai batsmen with Indian Premier League (IPL) presenter and Mumbai opener Sameer Kocher top-scoring gave the home side a win by six wickets.
Mumbai Heroes schedule for CCL 2016:
| 23-Jan-16 | Group A | Mumbai Heroes v Punjab De Sher | Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai |
| 30-Jan-16 | Group A | Bengal Tigers v Mumbai Heroes | Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Stadium, Ahmedabad |
| 06-Feb-16 | Group A | Bhojpuri Dabanggs v Mumbai Heroes | Sector 16 Stadium, Chandigarh |
The other encounter was against Kerala cinema’s super star Mohan Lal’s side—Kerala Strikers. However, Mohan Lal hadn’t played that match and in his absence, Arjun Nandakumar had led the side. Batting first, Kerala scored 189 in their 20 overs. And in reply, Mumbai chased it down with three wickets and a ball to spare. Mumbai faced Chennai in their final group fixture of the 2015 season. Mumbai batted first posting 157 runs in 20 overs. Meanwhile, Chennai just needed 15.3 overs to chase the target. Chennai opener Vikranth led from front, with his quick fire of 49-ball 63.
Mumbai begin their 2016 season with their first group fixture against Punjab De Sher on the opening day of the tournament. The latter is the new entrant in the league with Veer Marathi not being featured in this year’s league.
Squad:
Mumbai Heroes: Ritesh Deshmukh (c), Bobby Deol, Aftab Shivdasani, Amit Purohit, Apoorva Lakhia, Armaan Kohli, Indraneil Sengupta, Jeetu Varma, Kabir Sadanand, Raja Bherwani, Rohit Roy, Samir Kochhar, Sangram Singh, Shabir Ahluwalia, Suniel Shetty, Varun Badola, Vatsal Sheth, Saqib Saleem, Rajneesh Duggal, Jay Bhanushali, Dino Morea, Manoje Biddvai, Sharad Kelkar
