The Hitavada clinch title

Winners The Hitavada team

Defending champs lift inter-press cup for ninth time, beat Lokmat by 25 runs; Lokhande adjudged man of the series

The scenes at Dr Ambedkar College ground on Thursday were enthralling to say the least. Amidst the cheers and huge crowd support, a team—deficient of colts but bejeweled with old guards—was rejoicing like pre-schoolers.

All the body aches, all the sweat, all the twinges seemed to have vanished once the glorious moment came.

The Hitavada—for the ninth time, for the second year in succession—lifted the 12th Orange City Hospital Cup Inter-Press Invitational Twenty20 title shrugging off Lokmat’s stiff challenge by 25 runs.The pressure of the final was telling. It did see-saw for some time, both teams had their moments from where they could embrace victory.

But The Hitavada’s experience of 11 finals, as expected, came handy. It was a case of ‘been there, done that’ for the seasoned campaigners, who preferred to keep things simple, despite having a few bad moments in the field.Having won most of the matches defending, The Hitavada, once again, opted to bat after winning the toss. It was Lokmat who had the first laugh seeing the back of The Hitavada’s Kamlesh Waghire (4; 3b, 1x4) as the in-form opener slashed one straight to Nitin Patariya at gully.

The Hitavada’s highest run-getter of the tourney Praveen Lokhande (92; 55b, 11x4, 3x6) and wicket-keeper opener Paritosh Pramanik (24; 31b, 2x4) then steadied the ship.Lokhande was in his usual brutal mood while Pramanik chose to play second fiddle to his ferocious partner.

The strategy worked as both compiled a century partnership (109 runs off 78 balls) before Pramanik got out. Lokhande carried on his breath-taking show toiling with the bowlers and making the Lokmat fielders fetch the leather. Vivek Vyawahare finally got Lokhande, but the damage was already done with the swashbuckler’s majestic 92-run innings. Nikhil Dixit chipped in with 13 (16b, 1x4) towards the end as The Hitavada amassed 161 for 7 in 20 overs. Vyawahare (4-32) was the pick of the Lokmat bowlers while Amit Khodke, Pawan Dhande and Patariya picked up a wicket each.

Lokmat’s in-form opening pair of Khodke (55; 41b, 6x4) and Patariya (33; 22b, 5x4) fired again as Lokmat raced to 61 in just 6 overs. The Hitavada’s fielding too did not help them with many fielders fumbling under pressure and dropping some skiers. Waghire, finally held on to one at long off as medium-pacer Avinash Kahu drew the first blood sending Patariya back.Lokmat’s hope rested heavily on Khodke who in the meantime raced to his half-ton.

The Hitavada’s last match hero Rammurti Nerlay along with offie Anupam Timothy kept things tight as the defending champs crawled their way back into the game. The increasing run-rate forced Aatish Wankhede to play aggressively which cost him his wicket.

Lokmat slumped further with Rahul Dixit’s swift work getting Dhande run-out and once Nerlay found Khodke’s timber, it was just the matter of time before The Hitavada lifted their title.For his outstanding performance with the willow, Lokhande was adjudged man of the final and man of the series. The best batsman’s award went to Lokmat’s Nitin Patariya while Nerlay claimed the best bowler’s title. Times of India’s Rupesh Bhaik got best fielder’s award.

Director of Orange City Hospital and Research Institute, Dr Anup Marar presided over the prize distribution function while Chairman, KSL & Industries Saurabh Tayal; Vice-President KSL & Industries, Mohammad Junaid, Deepak Agencies’ Deepak Lalwani and Tilak Patrakar Bhavan Trust Secretary, Shirish Borkar were prominently present on the occasion.Sports Journalists’ Association of Nagpur’s (SJAN) joint secretary Kishor Bagde conducted the proceedings along with vice-president Naresh Shelke. President Dr Ram Thakur made the introductory remarks while Aditi Deodhar proposed a vote of thanks.

Runners-up Lokmat team

Report: The Hitavada

Pics: The Hitavada