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Anonymous Lalit Yadav of Vashi registered an upset win over Sparsh Pherwani to make a surprise entry into the junior snooker elite round robin, in the Malabar Hill Club Maharashtra State Selection Billiards & Snooker Tournament on Friday.
Playing his maiden competitive tournament, Yadav overcame Khar Gymkhana’s Pherwani 68-29, 57-22 in the final qualifying round where he joined defending champion Ishpreet Singh Chadha of Bombay Gymkhana, Jaiveer Dhingra of PJ Hindu Gymkhana and Nikhil Saigal of Khar Gymkhana.
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Yadav won his first two rounds without much ado that reflected his talent and form before prevailing over promising Pherwani to announce his arrival on the circuit.
“This is my first major competition and I am enjoying it,” said a delighted Yadav. “I played quite well in the early rounds and was inspired to maintain the same form. I did not get carried away and played my natural game. I am happy to join such established players like Ishpreet and Jaiveer in the elite round robin. I can’t believe I’m there.”
Later, Yadav faced Saigal in his opening round robin tie and lost 2-3 in a thriller following a dramatic black ball finish in the decider. Trailing 1-2, Yadav fired a brilliant break of 45 in the crucial fourth frame to keep his hopes alive. He came close to what would have been a sensational win until he missed the blue in the decider, with the pink and black waiting on a platter.
Yadav’s brilliant effort overshadowed Jaiveer Dhingra’s shock 3-0 win over Chadha after snatching a tight win in the opening frame of the other elite tie.
Results: Jr. Snooker: Elite Round Robin: Jaiveer Dhingra (PJ Hindu Gym) bt Ishpreet Singh Chadha (Bombay Gym) 54-44, 65-31, 69-21; Nikhil Saigal (Khar Gym) bt Lalit Yadav (Vashi) 48-39, 32-63, 65-46, 23-64(45), 60-53.
Final qualifying Rd: Ishpreet Singh Chadha (Bombay Gym) bt Nimish Kulkarni (PYC, Pune) 66(64)-10, 55-43; Nikhil Saigal (Khar Gym) bt Akshay Waghchoure (Nashik) 52-25, 61(48)-24; Lalit Yadav (Vashi) bt Sparsh Pherwani (Khar Gym) 68-29, 57-22.
2nd Rd: Nikhil Saigal (Khar Gym) bt Sonu Mathan (ISA) 33-61, 61-54, 74-54; Ishpreet Singh Chadha (Bombay Gym) bt Kreishh Gurbaxani (Khar Gym) 58-12, 60-29; Sparsh Pherwani (Khar Gym) bt Amol Abdagiri (Poona Club) 68-62, 75-40.
Saturday: 10 a.m. Maharashtra State Selection Billiards & Snooker Tournament, at the Malabar Hill Club
