Lokmat, ToI storm into semis

Shriwas shines, TOI too enter SF

By Nilesh Deshpande

Defending champions Lokmat thrashed Dainik Bhaskar by a massive margin of 169 runs to enter the semis in ongoing 17th Allahabad Bank SJAN Inter-Press Cricket Tournament organised by Sports Journalists' Association of  Nagpur (SJAN) on Sunday. 

The Times of India also entered the last four stage from group A. At Vasant Nagar ground, Dainik Bhaskar won the toss and elected to field first. Their decision backfired as Lokmat piled up 210 for three in 20 overs. Man-of-the-match Nitin Shriwas slammed unbeaten 65 hitting two towering sixes and six boundaries. Amit Roshankhede also remained not out on 53. His half century knock in just 21 balls was studded with one six and seven boundaries. Another half century for Lokmat came from opener  Sharad Mishra (50, 40b, 1x6, 7x4). In reply, Dainik Bhaskar were bundled out for a paltry 41 in 6.3 overs. Sachin Rahangdale was the wrecker-in-chief claiming five wicket haul conceding 27 runs. He was ably supported by Sachin Khadke (4 for 12). 

At Ambedkar College, batting first Loksatta made 94 for six in 20 overs. In reply, TOI achieved the target in 13.2 overs losing five wickets.

Brief scores

At Vasant Nagar ground

Lokmat: 210 for 3 in 20 overs [Nitin Shriwas (65*, 42b, 2x6, 6x4), Amit Roshankhede (53*, 21b, 1x6, 7x4), Sharad Mishra (50, 40b, 1x6, 7x4) Bandu Dhore and Sujan one wicket each]

Dainik Bhaskar: 41 all out in 6.3 overs [ Rahul Thakur 19, Sachin Rahangdale 5 for 21, Sachin Khadke 4 for 12). 

Result: Lokmat won by 169 runs (enter semis)

MoM: Nitin Shriwas. 

At Ambedkar College ground

IE-Loksatta: 94 for six in 20 overs [Mandar Moroney 17, Sudarshan Sakharkar 15, Harshwardhan Datir 13, Faizul Qumar 3 for 11, Sandeep Dabhekar, Piyush Patil one wicket each]

TOI: 97 for 5 in 13.2 overs [Suhas Nayse (32, 26b, 4x4), Subodh Ratnapartkhi (19, 17b, 4x4), Faizul Qumar and Suraj nair 10 not out each, Sharad Parteki 4 for 31]

Result: TOI won by five wickets (enter semis)

MoM: Faizul Qumar.

Monday's matches: Punyanagari vs The Hitavada at Ambedkar College ground. Sakal vs Tarun Bharat at Vasant Nagar ground. Both matches will start at 9.30 a.m.