Nitin Pataria slams 142 in Lokmat's huge win

NITIN PATARIA SLAMMED HIGHEST SCORE (142) IN THE HISTORY OF SJAN CRICKET

Dashing in form right handed batsman Nitin Pataria’s record century (142) knock and Amit Khodke’s quickfire (70) enabled last year’s runners-up Lokmat to thrash Tarun Bharat by a massive margin of 171 runs in ongoing Orange City Hospital Inter-Press Invitation Cricket Tournament at Ambedkar College ground, here on Sunday. In another encounter at Ajni ground, Times of India topped the pool ‘B’ defeating Dainik Bhaskar by six wickets. The tournament is being organised by Sports Journalists’ Association of Nagpur and sponsored by Orange City Hospital and Research Institute (OCHRI). The day turned out to be a super Sunday for Pataria who knocked off highest individual score (142) with the help of eight sixes and ten boundaries in inter-press cricket tournament. Earlier Lokmat won the toss and elected to bat first. They piled up record 260 losing just two wickets in the stipulated 20 overs. Pataria and Amit Khodke gave a flying start to lokmat. Sending the bowlers on leather hunt, they made 170 runs partnership in just 13.5 overs for first wicket before Khodke was dismissed by Ravi Duff. But prior to that he had done his job scoring quickfire 70 in 34 balls consisting seven boundaries and thre sixes. After the departure of Khodke, Pataria mercilessly butchered the Tarun Bharat bowlers hitting the ball at every part of ground. In the company of skipper Pawan Dhande (23), he added 74 runs for second wicket before he was clean bowled by Pankaj Pandey. But that was too late as Lokmat had already scored a record total. In reply, Tarun Bharat succumbed to the huge total and could able to score just 89 losing two wickets in 20 overs. Ravi Duf (28) and Vikas Barokar (25) were the main scorers. For Lokmat, Amit Khodke and Gitesh Wanjari got one wicket each. Pataria was declared man-of-the-match.
At Ajni ground, batting first Dainik Bhaskar scored 114 losing eight wickets in 20 overs. Ronel Michael (27) and Vijender Yadav (14) were the mai scorers. For TOI, medium pacer Sandeep Dhabekar captured four wickets while man-of-the-match Suhas Nayse got two. In reply, TOI achieved the target losing just four wickets in 14.3 overs. Thanks to Nayse (31) and Ratnaparkhi (28). On Monday, Loksatta will take on Sakal in last league match at Ajni ground.

Scores in brief

At Ambedkar College groundLokmat: 260 for 2 in 20 overs (Nitin Pataria 142 (67 b, 8x6, 10x4) Amit Khodke 70 (34 b, 7x4, 3x6) , Pawan Dhande 23 not out, Pankaj Pandey 1 for 33, Ravi Duf 1 for 64). Tarun Bharat: 89 for 2 in 20 overs (Ravi Duf 28, Vikas Barokar 25, Amit Khodke 1 for 18, Gitesh Wanjari 1 for 17). Result: Lokmat won by 171 runs. MoM: Nitin Pataria. At Ajni groundDainik Bhaskar: 114 for 8 in 20 overs (Ronel Michael 27, Vijendra Yadav 14, Sujan Masid 13, Sandeep Dhabekar 4 wkts, Suhas Nayse two wkts). Times of India: 116 for 4 in 14.3 overs (Suhas Nayse 31, S Ratnaparkhi 28, S Nair 25 not out, Raju Madke 3 for 23). Result: TOI won by six wickets. MoM: Suhas Nayse

Report from Lokmat Times

Pics by Rajesh Tickley