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.
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