New Champions In Town

TOI surprise holders Lokmat to lift maiden trophy

The TOI had lost their opening match against defending champions Lokmat in the league phase. They met again in the title clash on Thursday, where The Times of India trounced the Lokmat — arguably the best team in the fray — in the 17th edition of the Allahabad Bank-SJAN Inter-Press Cricket Tournament at Dr Ambedkar College ground.

Spinners Piyush Patil (4-0-11-4) and Faizul Qamar (4-0-19-3) bowled well in tandem to share seven wickets between them as Lokmat were bowled out for 109 in 18.5 overs. Rupesh Bhaik then showed everyone why he is regarded a dangerous batsman with a strokeful 65, which came off only 35 balls and contained 13 delightful boundaries. This knock helped TOI chase down the target in 14.5 over losing just three wickets. Deservingly, skipper Sandeep Dabhekar — who led the TOI to its maiden title — hit the winning runs.
 
Earlier in the morning, Lokmat skipper Amit Khodke called it correctly and chose to make use of good batting conditions. Dabhekar removed dangerous Nitin Patariya but the pair of Khodke and Sharad Mishra kept Lokmat going. Things were different once TOI spinners took charge. Qamar trapped Khodke in front and the Lokmat innings collapsed like a pack of cards. Umesh Tekade took two wickets.
 
TOI lost openers Subodh Ratnaparkhi and Suhas Nayse early but the pair of Bhaik and Patil (21*, 24b, 3x4) added 70 in just 44 balls to seal the match. Patel and Dabhekar (14*, 22b, 2x4) then took TOI home without any further damage. Patil, who was man of the match, was also adjudged the best bowler of the tournament. Bhaik was declared the best batsman. Dabhekar won the best fielder prize.
 
Zonal head of Allahabad Bank K Murali Krishna, secretary of Dr Ambedkar Smarak Samiti Sadanand Fulzele, Motion Tutorials director Sachin Hadke, Tilak Patrakar Bhavan Trust secretary Shirish Borkar,  NUWJ president Bramha Shankar Tripathi, secretary Anupam Soni and vice-principal of Dr Ambedkar College Dr Arvind Joshi distributed the prizes. Sanjay Chinchole of Drushti Communications and Amol Khante of CAC All-rounder, who sponsored some prizes, were also present.
 
BRIEF SCORES
Lokmat: 109 in 18.5 overs (Amit Khodke 31, Sharad Mishra 24, Piyush Patil 4-11, Faizul Qumar 3-19, Umesh Tekade 2-5, Sandeep Dabhekar 1-31) lost to TOI: 111-3 in 14.5 overs (Rupesh Bhaik 65, Piyush Patil 21*, Sandeep Dabhekar 14*; Sachin Rahangdale and Nitin Patariya one wicket each) by 7 wickets.

 

 

Final match pictures

All pics SJAN/S Sudarshan

Champions

TOI beat Lokmat for maiden T20 title

By Nilesh Deshpande

Nagpur, Jan. 15

The Times of India stunned defending champion Lokmat by seven wickets to win 17th Allahabad Bank-SJAN Inter-Press Cricket Tournament that was organised by Sports Journalists' Association of Nagpur (SJAN) at Dr Ambedkar College ground on Thursday. 

Batting first after winning the toss Lokmat were bowled out for 109 in 18.5 overs. Only skipper Amit Khodke (31) and Sharad Mishra (24) showed some resistance before the disciplined bowling of TOI. Piyush Patil (4 for 11) was the wrecker in chief and he was ably assisted by Faizul Qumar (3 for 19) and Umesh Tekade (2 for 5). 

In reply, Rupesh Bhaik slammed 35-ball 65 as TOI achieved the target in 14.5 overs losing just three wickets. Bhaik's knock was studded with 13 boundaries. Patil remained unbeaten on 21 in the company of skipper Sandeep Dabhekar (14). 

Zonal head of Allahabad Bank K Murali Krishna, secretary of Dr Ambedkar Smarak Samiti Sadanand Fulzele, Motion Tutorials director Sachin Hadke, Tilak Patrakar Bhavan Trust secretary Shrish Borkar,  NUWJ president Bramha Shankar Tripathi, secretary Anupam Soni and, vice-principal of Dr Ambedkar College Dr Arvind Joshi distributed the prizes. 

Sanjay Chinchole of Drushti Communications and Amol Khante of CAC All-rounder were also present on the occasion. SJAN secretary Kishor Bagde conducted the proceedings. SJAN president Dr Ram Thakur made introductory remarks while joint secretary Sarang Kunte proposed a vote of thanks. 

Brief scores:

Lokmat: 109 all out in 18.5 overs [ Amit Khodke (31, 18b, 5x4), Sharad Mishra (24, 27b, 3x4), Piyush Patil 4 for 11, Faizul Qumar 3 for 19, Umesh Tekade 2 for 5, Sandeep Dabhekar 1 for 31]

TOI: 111 for 3 in 14.5 overs ; Rupesh Bhaik (65, 35b, 13x4),Piyush Patil (21*, 24b, 3x4) Sandeep Dabhekar (14*, 22 b, 2x4), Sachin Rahangdale and Nitin Patariya one wicket each]

Result: TOI won by seven wickets. 

Individual prizes

Man-of-the series: Ravi Daf (Punyanagari); 

Best basman: Rupesh Bhaik (TOI); 

Best bowler: Piyush Patil (TOI);  

Best wicket-keeper: Amit Roshankhede (Lokmat); 

Best fielder: Sandeep Dabhekar (TOI); 

Best catch: Ram Bhakre (IE-Loksatta); 

Five wicket haul: Nitin Pataria, Sandeep Wardhane and Sachin Rahangdale 

Only Century: Praveen Lokhande.

The Award winners

Man of the match Awards (League Matches)

1. Devendra Sadavarti (Lokmat) Scored 35 runs and claimed two wickets against TOI

2. Nikhil Dixit (The Hitavada) Scored unbeaten 55 against Sakal. 

3. Ravi Daf (Punyanagari) Scored 49 runs against Lokshahi Varta, also claimed two wickets. 

4. Nitin Pataria (Lokmat) Scored 40 runs and got six wicket against Deshonnati. 

5. Sandeep Wardhane (TOI) Claimed six wicket haul against Dinik Bhaskar. 

6. Ravi Daf (Punyanagri) scored 63 runs and got two wickets against Tarun Bhaarat 

7. Vinay Pandey (Hitavada) claimed four wickets against Lokshahi Varta

8.Rahul Thakur (Dainik Bhaskar) Scored unbeaten 43 runs against Loksatta

9. Faizul Qumar (TOI) Took four wickets against Deshonnati. 

10. Nitin Shriwas (Lokmat) Scored unbeaten 65 against Dainik Bhaskar

11. Faizul Qumar (TOI) Claimed three wicket and scored unbeaten ten runs against Loksatta

12. Ravi Daf (Punyanagari) Scored 56 against The Hitavada and also claimed two wickets. 

13. Devendra Deshpande (Sakal) Scored 45 runs against Tarun Bharat

14.Sarang Chavan (Lokshahi Varta) Scored 48 runs and got one wicket against Tarun Bharat

15. Rahul Thakur (Dainik Bhaskar) Scored 68 runs and took one wicket against Deshonnati. 

16.Maoj Jhariya (Punyanagari) Scored 23 runs against Sakal

17. Sharad Mishra (Lokmat) Scored 29 runs and took three wickets against Loksatta

18. Mandar Moroney (Loksatta) Scored 69 runs against Deshonnati

19 Praveen Lokhande (The Hitavada) Scored unbeaten 117 against Tarun Bharat

20. Abhishek Kulkarni (Lokshashi) Scored 64 runs and claimed four wickets against Sakal.

Man-of-the-match (Semi-finals)

21. Nitin Patariya (Lokmat) Scored 25 runs and claimed three wickets against Hitavada. 

22. Suraj Nair (TOI) Claimed four wickets against Punya Nagari. 

Man-of-the-final

23. Piyush Patil (TOI) Claimed four wickets and scored unbeaten 21 runs against Lokmat)

Inter-Press Cricket Final Today

Lokmat, TOI face off again

After two years, once again defending champions Lokmat will lock horns with The Times of India in the final of 17th Allahabad Bank- SJAN  Inter-Press Cricket Tournament organised by Sports Journalists' Association of Nagpur (SJAN) at Ambedkar College ground on Thursday at 9.30 a.m.
Two years back both these teams had clashed in the final in which Lokmat emerged winner. This time TOI have an opportunity to avenge the defeat but for that they will have to control expolsive Lokmat trio  Nitin Patariya, Sharad Mishra and Amit Khodke. Strong batting line up is the main strength of defending champions. Devenra Sadavarti , Nitin Shriwas and Amit Roshankhede have also delivered their best when required.
As far as TOI are concenred,  bowling is their main strength.Faizul Qumar, Piyush Patil, Sandeep Wardhane and Suraj Nair bowled economical spells in league matches as well as in  semifinal. Dashing batsman Rupesh Bhaik's quickfire 43 in crucial semi-final against Punyanagari on previous day is a positive sign for the team.
Toss will also play an important role. The winner will like to bat first and pile up a challenging total. The prize distribution function will be held immediately after the final. Zonal head of Allahabad Bank K Murali Krishna will be the chief guest on the occasion. Secretry of Dr Ambedkar Smarak Samiti Sadanand Fulzele and director of Motion Pramod Walmandhre will also grace the occasion.
Motion are the co-sponsor of the tournament. Sanjay Chinchole has sponsored man-of-the match trophies in the memory of father Gangadharrao Chinchole. Amol Khante of CAC All-rounder has declared cash prize for man-of-the-series. NUWJ will also give cash prizes to the winner and runners-up.

TOI enter final in style

Continuing their brilliant run in the tournament The Times of India (TOI) rendered yet another clinical performance—this time in the knock-out stage—to enter the final of 7th Allahabad Bank-SJAN Inter-Press Cricket Tournament on Tuesday.
 

TOI bowlers, led by the 4-wicket haul of medium pacer
Suraj Nair (in pic) put up a brilliant performance to
restrict Punyanagari to 122 and chase down the
target with 26 balls and 6 wickets remaining

After winning three successive league matches, TOI needed to show same consistency. They did it with aplomb against Punyanagri in the semifinal to record a comprehensive six-wicket victory at Ambedkar College ground on Tuesday. The bowlers, led by medium pacer Suraj Nair (4-30), put up a brilliant performance and restricted Punyanagri to 122 in their 20 overs. Piyush Patil claimed three, while Sandeep Wardhane bagged two wickets. Manoj Jharia (37 (43b, 2x4) and Vaibhav Sonawane 25 (18b, 3x4) were the only notable contributors.

In reply, TOI knocked down the target with 26 balls and six wickets to spare. Rupesh Bhaik led the charge with a brilliant 24-ball 43 which had seven boundaries after openers Subodh Ratnaparkhi (31, 19b, 5x4, 1x6) Suhas Nayse (13) had provided TOI a brisk start. Though TOI lost three quick wickets, Bhaik, in company of skipper Sandeep Dabhekar took TOI home quite comfortably. By the time Bhaik was dismissed, he had done enough damage. Nair was declared the Man of the Match.

BRIEF SCORES: Punyanagari 122 in 20 overs (Manoj Jhariya 37, Vaibhav Sonawane 25, Ravi Daf 12; Suraj Nair 4-30, Piyush Patil 3-19, Sandeep Wardhane 2-17) lost to The Times of India 123-4 in 15.4 overs (Rupesh Bhaik 43, Subodh Ratnapartki 31, Sandeep Dabhekar 13 not out, Suhas Nayse 13; Vaibhav Sonawane and Ravi Daf one wicket each) by six wickets.

It's Lokmat vs TOI in final

The Times of India defeated Punyanagari by six wickets to set up a summit clash with Lokmat in 17th Allahabad Bank-SJAN Inter-Press Cricket Tournament organised by Sports Journalists' Association of Nagpur (SJAN) at Ambedkar College ground on Tuesday. 
Batting first after winning the toss, Punyanagari were all out for 122 in 20 overs. Manoj Jhariya top scored with 37. Vaibhav Sonawane (25) and Ravi Daf (12) were other scorers. For TOI, Suraj Nair (4 for 30) was the main wicket taker. Piyush Patil (3 for 19) and Sandeep Wardhane (2 for 17) also bowled well. 
In reply, TOI achieved the target losing just four wickets in 15.4 overs. Thanks to dashing batsman Rupesh Bhaik who knocked off 43 in just 23 balls hitting seven boundaries.  Suhas Nayse and Sandeep Dabhekar scored 13 each. Nair was declared man-of-the-match. 
The final between Lokmat and TOI will be played on Thursday at 9.30 a.m. at the same venue. Meanwhile Amol Khante of CAC-All-rounder has declared the cash prize for man-of-the-series. 
Brief score
Punyanagari:  122 all out in 20 overs [ Manoj Jhariya 37 (43b, 2x4), Vaibhav Sonawane 25 (18b, 3x4), Ravi Daf 12, Suraj Nair 4 for 30, Piyush Patil 3 for 19, Sandeep Wardhane 2 for 17).
TOI: 123 for 4 in 15.4 overs [Rupesh Bhaik (43, 24b, 7x4), Suhas Nayse and Sandeep Dabhekar 13 each, Vaibhav Sonawane and Ravi Daf one wicket each).
Result: TOI won by six wickets. 
MOM: Suraj Nair.

2nd Semis: Punyanagari vs TOI