Articles

Sourav Kothari

Former Asian Billiards champion Sourav Kothari of ONGC quickly got into a groove and struck a perfect rhythm as he powered his way to a commanding 691-106 victory against Maharashtra’s Chandu Kansodaria in a Group-H league match on the opening day of the Cricket Club of India organized CCI Billiards Classic 2018, and played at the Club’s Sir Wilson Jones Billiards Room, Churchgate on Monday.

The Kolkata-based Kothari constructed the first century break when he rolled in a run of 131 to cap of a convincing victory. He earlier had four substantial efforts of 71, 80, 74 and 98 as he settled down nicely.

Earlier, Nalin Patel and Vishal Madan, both of Maharashtra also won their opening group matches in convincing fashion. The seasoned pro Patel recovered to defeat Brijesh Damani of Indian Oil 402-328 in a Group-G encounter and Madan was in complete control as he coasted to a 447-214 win against Railway cueist Nikhil Ghadge in a Group-B tie.

Patel took time to get off the blocks and trailed by over 120 points. But, he gradually fought back and produced breaks of 64, 90 and 77  to turn things around and complete the win. Damani had one initial run of 50 to gain the advantage.

On the other hand Madan was in full flow and rattled up breaks of 60, 98, 50, 60 and with not much fight from Ghadge he smoothly sailed to victory.

Meanwhile, Indian Oil cueist, Aditya Mehta, who had been playing in the pro snooker circuit in the United Kingdom till last year, showed great touch and played some exquisite shots as he neatly compiled two sizeable breaks of 83 and 94 as he went to record an easy 392-154 win against Maharashtra’s Rishabh Thakkar in a Group-B match.

Tamil Nadu based S. Shrikrishna of BPCL also started on a positive note and got the better of Maharashtra’s Rishabh Kumar 44-8-318. Shrikrishna, the reigning Junior and Sub-junior  billiards and snooker champion created two useful break of 79 and 96 while Kumar could only muster a run of 77 in the 90-minute session.

Results -Group-D: Neeraj Kumar (Rlys) beat Raayan Razmi (Mah) 313(48,73)-278(94);

Group-B: Aditya Mehta (IOC) beat Rishabh Thakkar (Mah) 392(83,94)-154;

Group-B: Vishal Madan (Mah) beat Nikhil Ghadge (Rlys) 447(60,98,50,60)-214;

Group-G: Nalin Patel (Mah) beat Brijesh Damani (IOC) 402(64,90,77)-328(50);

Group-G: S. Srikrishana (BPCL) beat Rishabh Kumar (Mah) 448(79,96)-318(77);

Group-H: Sourav Kothari (ONGC) beat Chandu Kansodaria (Mah) 691(71,80,74,98,131)-106.