Sports Journalists' Association of Nagpur

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.