Junaid Sheikh guides Navbharat 
to emphatic start

Navbharat opened their campaign in the 26th SJAN Inter-Press Cricket Tournament with a commanding nine-wicket win over Dainik Bhaskar at the Vasant Nagar ground on Thursday. The tournament for media persons is being organised by the Sports Journalists Association of Nagpur (SJAN).  

The match belonged to Junaid Sheikh, who produced an all-round performance to set up Navbharat’s emphatic start. After Dainik Bhaskar opted to bat first, their innings never gained momentum and they were bundled out for 80 in 16.2 overs. Sujan Masid fought a lone battle with 28 off 32 balls, striking four boundaries, but lacked support at the other end.  

Navbharat’s bowlers kept things tight, with Sheikh and Ujjwal Kumar Sinha doing the bulk of the damage. Both claimed three wickets apiece, Sheikh returning 3 for 11 and Sinha 3 for 17, as Dainik Bhaskar collapsed under sustained pressure. Rakesh Fender also chipped in with 1 for 1.  

In reply, Navbharat chased down the target comfortably, reaching 84 for 1 in 10.3 overs. Sheikh top-scored with a brisk 50 off 34 balls, hitting four fours and three sixes, while Manish Shrivas added 20 off 21 deliveries with two boundaries.

Brief Scores
Dainik Bhaskar 80 all out in 16.2 overs (Sujan Masid 28, Sudhir Mehare 18, Junaid Sheikh 3-11, Ujjwal Kumar Sinha 3-17, Rakesh fender 1-1) lost to Navbharat 84-1 in 10.3 overs (Junaid Sheikh 50, Manish Shrivas 20, Shrikant Bhalerao 1-36) by nine wickets.

 Winning start for TOI-MT in 26th SJAN 
Inter-Press T20 cricket

The Times of India registered a commanding 63-run win over Tarun Bharat in the SJAN Inter-Press T20 cricket tournament at the Vasant Nagar ground on Wednesday, riding on a decisive fourth-wicket stand between Sandeep Dabhekar and Piyush Patil.

The annual cricket tournament for print media employees is being supported by Sports Karma, Rokde Jewellers, Sarangi Foundation Trust, and Sports Link. While Rokde Jewellers are the official clothing  partners, Sports Link has sponsored the Wisden white cricket balls for the smooth conduct of the tournament. Man of the match prizes for all the 19 matches are being sponsored in the memory of Gangadharrao Chinchole. 

 After early wickets, Dabhekar and Patil rebuilt with authority, adding 53 runs in just 33 balls to seize control of the innings. Dabhekar anchored the charge with a fluent 77 off 51 deliveries, striking nine boundaries and two sixes, while Patil provided the late-innings momentum with 46 off 33 balls, including eight fours. Manish Thakare (15) and Amit Paunikar (11) added useful support as TOI posted a competitive 171 for 6 in 20 overs. For Tarun Bharat, Atul Shivankar (1-22) and Anil Kamble (1-29) were among the wicket-takers.

In reply, Tarun Bharat never found sustained partnerships. Roshan Tamboli top-scored with 31 and Dinesh Borkar made 21, but the chase was derailed by TOI’s disciplined bowling. Player of the match Amit Paunikar led the attack with 4 for 15 in four overs, while Atul Pande was equally incisive and economical, returning 3 for 13. Subodh Ratnaparkhi (1-12) and Prashant Nimbarte (1-25) chipped in as Tarun Bharat finished on 108 for 9.

Later, former national volleyball player and senior administrator Sunil Hande gave the man of the match award to Paunikar.

On Thursday, Dainik Bhaskar will square up against Navbharat at 8.30am. 

BRIEF SCORES: The Times of India 171-6 in 20 overs (Sandeep Dabhekar 77, Piyush Patil 46, Manish Thakare 15, Amit Paunikar 11; Atul Shivankar 1-22, Anil Kamble 1-29) bt Tarun Bharat 108-9 in 20 overs (Roshan Tamboli 31, Dinesh Borkar 21, Anil Kamble 11; Amit Paunikar 4-15, Atul Pande 3-13, Subodh Ratnaparkhi 1-12, Prashant Nimbarte 1-25) by 63 runs.