Sports Journalists' Association of Nagpur

 

Lokmat beat The Times of India in a thriller

In a battle of nerves, Lokmat pipped The Times of India by nine runs to win the SJAN-OCHRI Cup Inter-Press Invitational Twenty-20 Cricket Tournament organized by Sports Journalists' Association of Nagpur (SJAN) which concluded at the Ambedkar College ground on Wednesday.

Lokmat players showed lot of character and ultimately notched up victory. Thanks to skipper Amit Khodke who held the fort and knocked off 69 in 62 balls with the help of ten hits to the fence. Earlier Lokmat won the toss and elected to bat first and scored a good total of 150 losing six wickets in 20 overs. Lokmat had a shaky start as dashing batsman Nitin Patariya who was struggling with the form was trapped in front of stumps by Rupesh Bhaik with just eight runs on board. Opening batsman Sharad Mishra (12, 13b, 1x4) also failed to give good start. However,  after the departure of openers, skipper Amit Khodke controlled the innings. Initially playing cautiously he gradually accelerated the scoring by punishing the dead deliveries. Khodke was ably supported by Nitin Shriwas who scored 30 in 24 deliveries hitting one six. For The Times of India, Rupesh Bhaik claimed two wickets conceding 24 runs.

In reply, The Times of India tried their best to achieve the target but missed it by nine runs. Rupesh Bhaik (34, 20b, 1x6, 4x4) and Subodh Ratnaparkhi (28, 17b, 4x4) gave them flying start by adding 48 runs for first wicket partnership. When Bhaik was looking dangerous Devendra Sadavarti gave much needed breakthrough. Then they lost second wicket on 78 in the form of Ratnaparkhi. Suhas Nayse (24, 24b, 2x4) and Piyush Patil (15) made efforts but in vain. For Lokmat, Sadavarti and Mishra got two wickets each.

CEO of Satvik Financial Services Amol Dhake was the chief guest of prize distribution function. Former Vidarbha Hockey Association president Radheshyam Sarda, DGM of Bank of Maharashtra Nandkumar Pujari, Duleep Trophy player Sameer Khare and NUWJ secretary Bramha Shankar Tripathi also graced the occasion. SJAN secretary Kishor Bagde made introductory remarks and proposed a vote of thanks. Dr Ram Thakur conducted the proceedings.

Individual prizes

Man-of-the- final: Amit Khodke (Lokmat); 

Man-of-the-series: Sharad Mishra (Lokmat), 

Best batsman: Suhas Nayse (The Times of India), 

Best bowler: Faizul Qumar (The Times of India), 

Best wicket-keeper: Amit Roshankhede (Lokmat), 

Best fielder: Rupesh Bhaik (The Times of India), 

Best catch: Vivek Vyavhare (Lokmat), 

Century: Pravin Lokhande (Hitavada), 

Hat-trick: Yudhishthir Raich (Punyanagari)

Five wickets: Vikas Barokar, Sharad Mishra and Abhay Dubey

Three Musketeers: The Times of India trio of best bowler Faizal Qamar (from left) flanked by the best batsman Suhas Nayse and the best fielder Rupesh Bhaik after the 15th SJAN-OCHRI Cup Inter-Press T20 Cricket Tournament

Supporters of Lokmat celebrate their teams third triumph