Jain continues his winning run

Soni-Limbachia enter semis
THE Hitavada’s pair of Anupam Soni and Hitesh Limbachia entered the men’s doubles semi-finals of the 5th Badminton Tournament for Mediapersons in progress at the Subhedar Hall.
Soni-Limbachia got the better of Lokmat duo of Pawan Dande and Anand Junankar 21-13, 21-13 in straight games.
They will take top seeds Ashish Jain-Manish Charpe, another Lokmat combination in the semis.
In the other semi-final, Times of India pair of Suhas Nayse and Sarabjit Ahluwalia will play Loksatta’s Vivek Puradbhat-Vijay Sant.
Jain defeated Limbachia in the men’s singles quarter-finals 21-9, 21-7; Sant had the better of Jaideep Hardikar 21-7, 21-6; Tijare edged past Manish Sakharwade 22-20, 21-5 while Suhas Nayse beat Naresh Shelke 21-7, 21-8 to book semi-final berths.
The Hitavada’s Tanveer Shaikh went down fighting to Meenakshi Menon in the women’s singles semi-final while colleague Manjusha Ladke plays Rakhi Chavan in the other semis on Sunday.
The three-day meet ends of Sunday and will be followed by prize distribution. Pro-Vice-Chancellor Dr Gaurishankar Parashar will be the chief guest while Krishnarao Pandav, President, Sanmarg Shikshan Sanstha will preside over. Director, Gurunanak College of Engineering, Dahegaon will be the guest of honour.
The tournament, organised by Sports Journalists’ Association of Nagpur in co-operation with the Post Graduate Teaching Department of Physical Education, RTM Nagpur University, is being sponsored by Sanmarg Shikshan Sanstha which runs Smt Radhikatai Pandav College of Engineering.

Badminton meet gets under way

Girish Pandav (L), treasurer, Sanmarg Shikshan Sanstha plays
a shot to inaugurate the badminton meet. SJAN president
Dr Ram Thakur looks on. (Pic The Hitavada)


The 5th annual badminton tournament for media employees of the city which got under way at the Nagpur University’s Subhedar Hall, off Amravati Road on Friday.
The tournament is being organised by Sports Journalists’ Association of Nagpur (SJAN) in association with the Post Graduate Teaching Department of Physical Education (PGTDPE), Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj Nagpur University.
In the early encounters all the seeded players moved up without any tough fight.

Earlier, the tournament was inaugurated at the hands of Girish Pandav, treasurer, Sanmarg Shikshan Sanstha. Co-ordinator of Post Graduate Teaching Department for Physical Education, Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj Nagpur University Dr Yeshwant Patil was also present on the dais.
SJAN treasurer Anupam conducted the proceedings. President Dr Ram Thakur made the introductory remarks while member Aditi Deodhar proposed a vote of thanks.
Results: Men’s singles (2nd round): Vilas Tijare (Lokmat) bt Vivek Puradbhat (Loksatta) 21-8, Ranjeet Deshmukh (ToI) bt Manoj Joshi 21-9, Vijay Sant (Loksatta) bt Amit Sampat (ToI) 21-12, Harshad Pandharipande (ToI) bt Madhav Soman (ToI) 21-13, Suhas Nayse (ToI) bt Vikram Harkare (Loksatta) 21-1, Piyush Patil (Loksatta) bt Bagish Jha (Lokmat Times) 21-4, Manish Sakharwade (ToI) bt Manoj Mule (Sakal) 21-11, Balaji Ayyar bt Charudutta Kahu (Loksatta) 21-11, Hitesh Limbachia (The Hitavada) bt Daniel Warrior (Saam TV) 21-7, Ashish Jain (Lokmat) bt Nilanjan Bhowmik (ToI) 21-8, Fakruddin (ToI) bt Nitin Totewar (Loksatta) 21-7, Anupam Soni (The Hitavada) bt Devendra Sadavarti (Loksatta) 21-14, Nikhil Dixit (The Hitavada) bt Uday Dindolkar (Loksatta) 21-13.
Men’s doubles (1st round): Naresh Shelke-Manoj Mule (Sakal) bt Amol Deokar-Ankit Ghutke (The Hitavada) 21-9, Nikhil Gotmare-Rajesh Vyavhare (Sakal) bt Rajesh Patil- Ram Bhakre (Loksatta) 21-10, Amit Khodke-Vilas Tijare (Lokmat) bt Samaresh Acharya-Rakesh Roshan (ToI) 21-16, Charudutta Kahu-Vikram Harkare (Loksatta) bt Pankaj Ganorkar-Pawan (Tarun Bharat) 21-18, Ravikant Sane-Manoj Joshi (Loksatta) bt Vikas Barokar-Raj Sharma (Tarun Bharat) 21-5.
Women’s singles (1st round): Rakhi Chavan (Loksatta) bt Farina Salim 21-13, Tanvir Sheikh (The Hitavada) bt Ananya Roy (Lokmat Times) 21-10, Nisha Kar (Lokmat Times) bt Aditi Deodhar (The Hitavada) 21-16.

THE DRAW

Jain gets top billing

Badminton meet for mediapersons from Feb 27

Defending champion Ashish Jain of Lokmat has been seeded top in men’s category in the 6th annual badminton tournament for media employees of the city which will be held from February 27 to March 1. Last year’s runner-up Times of India’s Suhas Nayse has been seeded second in the single’s category.
The tournament will be held at Subhedar Hall, off Amravati road. The annual tournament is being jointly organised by Sports Journalists’ Association of Nagpur (SJAN) and Post Graduate Teaching Department for Physical Education, Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj Nagpur University. Radhikatai Pandav College of Engineering, Umrer road, run by Sanmarg Shikshan Sanstha, has sponsored the event.
Gurunanak College of Engineering, Dahegaon has also joined hands with SJAN in conducting the event.
The categories include men’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s singles and veterans’ (45-plus) singles.
Defending champions Ashish Jain and Manish Charpe of Lokmat are seeded top in the doubles category while the pair of Nayse and Sarabjit Aluwalia (Times of India) has been seeded second.In singles, 60 participants have confirmed their participation. Around 16 women employees from different media (print and electronic) too confirmed their participation. Winners and runners-up in all categories will be awarded attractive prizes.
All the participants are requested to report at the venue at 8 am sharp.
SEEDINGS: (Men’s Singles): 1. Ashish Jain (Lokmat), 2. Suhas Nayse (ToI), 3. Harshad Pandharipande (ToI), 4. Manoj Mule (Sakaal), 5. Vivek Puradbhat (Loksatta), 6. Piyush Patil (Loksatta), 7. Ranjit Deshmukh (ToI), 8. Nikhil Dixit (The Hitavada).
Men's Doubles: 1. Ashish Jain-Manish Charpe (Lokmat), 2. Suhas Nayse-Sarabjit Aluwalia (ToI), 3. Anupam Soni-Hitesh Limbachia (The Hitavada), 4. Harshad Pandharipande-Madhav Soman (ToI).

Badminton tournament for media employees from 27th

The Hitavada, Feb 7
The annual badminton tournament for media employees of the city will be held from February 27 to March 1, 2009, at Subhedar Hall, off Amravati road. Sports Journalists’ Association of Nagpur (SJAN) in association with Post Graduate Teaching Department for Physical Education, Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj Nagpur University, are organising the event. Radhikatai Pandav College of Engineering, Umrer road, run by Sanmarg Shikshan Sanstha, has sponsored the event.The categories include men’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s singles and veterans’ (45-plus) singles.Winners and runners-up in all categories will be awarded attractive prizes, stated a press release issued by Rahul Dixit, Secretary, SJAN.Last date for entries is February 23, 2009. Entries should be confirmed with sports desks of respective newspapers or Anupam Soni, convenor (9822714965). Entry fee is Rs 20 for singles, Rs 30 for doubles.

The Hitavada are champions again

All Pics The Hitavada

An old score was to settle. A loss was to be avenged. A perception was to be changed. As fortunes started fluctuating with each passing over the tension mounted but the belief never diminished. Using their experience, keeping their cool and showing their never-say-die attitude The Hitavada emerged the deserving champions of the 11th Orange City Hospital Cup Inter-Press Cricket T20 Tournament.
By defeating defending champions Lokmat by 20 runs The Hitavada lifted its eighth title in ten finals.
The Men in Blue went through a roller-coaster ride before putting up a competitive 148 for seven in 20 overs. Defending the target against a strong Lokmat batting line-up the bowlers needed to put their hands up. They did. As Lokmat started building partnerships the pendulum swung their way. But Man of the Final Avinash Kahu had a rabbit left in his hat! He used brains to counter Lokmat’s brawn and soon the eighth title came The Hitavada’s way. Lokmat were restricted to 128 for eight in 20 overs. Kahu had figures of 4-0-21-4.
Batting first The Hitavada had a disastrous start losing Kamlesh Waghire and skipper Susheem Kolay with just six on the board. A partnership was needed and Praveen Lokhande (26; 21b, 3x4) forged it with ‘crisis man’ Nikhil Dixit (50; 53b 6x4, 2x6).
Runs were just trickling when left-arm spinner Ashish Budholia came into attack. Dixit and Lokhande launched into him to garner 20 in one over and The Hitavada were on recovery path.
The duo stitched together a stand of 60 in 51 balls for the third wicket. Dixit was his usual cool self never letting go a loose ball. His straight six of Pawan Dhande was sheer delight. Lokhande too kept his calm and picked gaps.
At 66 in 11 overs Lokhande was out but Dixit found Vijay Choure (14; 14b, 2x4) for help. They added 38 for the fourth wicket in 25 balls.
At 104 for 4 in 15 overs an impetus was needed to the innings for a big total. Vice-captain Rahul Dixit joined his elder brother, wielded his willow, and got a quick 18 (10b, 1x4, 1x6). The Dixit brothers’ 31-run stand in just 18 balls provided the momentum to The Hitavada innings.
Lokmat started badly losing in-form Nitin Patoriya for a duck. Amit Khodke (45; 41b, 4x4, 1x6) kept fighting at other end keeping the asking rate under control with Manish Charpe (19). Dhande then joined Khodke for a quick 47-run stand that almost shut the door on The Hitavada.
Stepped in Kahu and the challenge was snuffed out with some excellent fielding and absolutely fantastic catching by Sanjay Chinchole and Hitesh Limbachia.
With an average age of 34 the talk of The Hitavada’s cricket team as a ‘Dad’s Army’ was gaining ground. But the experience that comes with age and playing 10 finals was enough to help them reaffirm their authority on inter-press cricket.
The match was enjoyed live all over Vidarbha on UCN.
Udaybhaskar Nair of Nairsons group was the chief guest at the prize distribution function. The special guests were Dr Anup Marar, Director, Orange City Hospital and Research Institute, Sadanand Fulzele, Secretary, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Smarak Samiti, Jaswinder Singh Mukar, Deputy General Manager, Tata Indicom, Nagpur, Sanjay Jog, Deputy General Manager (Marketing), Tata Indicom, Deepak Lalwani of Deepak Agencies, and Pradeep Kumar Maitra, President, Tilak Patrakar Bhavan Trust.
Individual prizes were sponsored by Tata Teleservices (Maharashtra) Limited. Deepak Agencies and Panchavati Builders too supported SJAN in organising the tournament.
Kishor Bagde conducted the function, Dr Ram Thakur made the introductory remarks, Naresh Shelke compered the ceremony while Sandeep Dabhekar proposed a vote of thanks.

SCOREBOARD
THE HITAVADA INNINGS
Kamlesh Waghire run out A Budholia 2
Susheem Kolay lbw S Rahangdale 0
Pravin Lokhande c A Seth b S Mishra 26
Nikhil Dixit c&b S Rahangdale 50
Vijay Choure c A Seth b S Mishra 14
Rahul Dixit c S Mishra b A Khodke 18
Hitesh Limbachia Not Out 12
Sanjay Chinchole c P Dhande b A Khodke 0
Paritosh Pramanik Not Out 1
Extras: (w 22, lb 2, b 1) 25
TOTAL: (Seven wickets, 20 overs) 148.
Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-6, 3-66, 4-104, 5-135, 6-135, 7-140.
Bowling:

Sachin Rahangdale 4-1-6-2
Pawan Dhande 4-0-24-0
Amit Khodke 4-0-24-0
Ashish Bodholia 2-0-31-0
Sharad Mishra 4-0-25-2
Gitesh Wanjari 2-0-28-0
LOKMAT INNINGS
Amit Khodke c S Chinchole v A Kahu 45
Nitin Patoria c P Lokhande b V Choure 0
Manish Charpe v P Lokhande 19
Pawan Dhande c V Choure b A Kahu 23
Sharad Mishra run out A Kahu 7
Aasman Seth c&b A Kahu 18
Ashish Budholia c H Limbachia b A Kahu 2
Ravin Singh run out (K Waghire-P Pramanik) 1
Sachin Rahangdale Not Out 2
Gitesh Wanjari Not Out 3
Extras: b 3, w 4) 7
TOTAL: (8 wickets, 20 overs) 128
Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-44, 3-92, 4-96, 5-112, 6-121, 7-121, 8-124.
Bowling: Vijay Choure 3-0-24-1
Susheem Kolay 4-0-27-0
Nikhil Dixit 1-0-11-0
Pravin Lokhande 4-0-18-1
Rammurti Nerle 4-0-23-2
Avinash Kahu 4-0-21-4
Result: The Hitavada won by 20 runs.
Man of the final: Avinash Kahu.

Best batsman: Pawan Dhande

Best Bowler: Ravi Daff

Best Fielder: Hitesh Limbachia

Best Wicket-keeper: N Satyan

Best catch: Ajay Kangali

Man of the series: Praveen Lokhande

The Hitavada's victory celebrations!!!!

Pics courtesy S Sudarshan and Anirudhasingh Dinore

Bowlers put The Hitavada in final

Pravin Lokhande (L) took hat-trick for The Hitavada.




A wonderful start, a disastrous middle-order collapse, an excellent fightback by the bowlers and a hat-trick. This was The Hitavada’s story in the second semi-final of the 11th edition of the Orange City Hospital Cup inter-press cricket tournament organised by Sports Journalists’ Association of Nagpur (SJAN) at Dr Ambedkar College ground, Deekshabhoomi on Thursday.
Opting to bat, The Hitavada started brightly via skipper Susheem Kolay (19; 14b, 4x3) and Kamlesh Waghire (21; 15b, 4x3, 6x1). But a double strike by Ajay Kangali to get rid of both openers got Navbharat back in the game. Pravin Lokhande (29; 22b, 4x2, 6x1) and Rahul Dixit (19; 23b, 4x1) did the rebuilding work with a 41-ball 42 runs stand.
A big score was on cards with both the batsmen scoring fluently but Mahesh Sarangi had other ideas. The Navbharat skipper bowled a magical spell and picked up a five-wicket haul to put his team in the driver’s seat. The Hitavada’s middle-order too did not help their cause by committing a mass suicide. From 100 for three The Hitavada were reduced to 106 for nine. Though a couple of boundaries towards the end by Ramamurti Nerle (12) helped them reach 120. Kangali (3-15) and Shrikant Tikle (2-20) were the other wicket-takers.
The Hitavada bowlers started perfectly striking two early blows. Navbharat were not allowed to score freely against a tight line. Sarangi did his bit with 25 but that was not enough as The Hitavada wrapped up their opponents for 93 runs. Lokhande gave The Hitavada a perfect finish by picking up a hat-trick. He registered match figures of 3.3-0-14-4. Nerle (2-17) also bowled well. Vijay Choure, Nikhil Dixit and Kolay scalped a wicket each.
Bhausaheb Gujar, Senior DGM, LIC of India and Sameer Meghe, Chairman, Tirupati Urban Co-operative Bank, were the chief guest of the match.
The Hitavada will take on Lokmat in the final on January 24 at Ambedkar ground from 9 am.


SCOREBOARD
THE HITAVADA INNINGS:
Kamlesh Waghire b Ajay Kangali 21
Susheem Kolay v Ajay Kangali 19
Pravin Lokhande b Mahesh Sarangi 29
Rahul Dixit b Mahesh Sarangi 19
Nikhil Dixit c N Satyan b Shrikant Tikle 06
Sanjay Chinchole b Mahesh Sarangi 04
Hitesh Limbachia st N Satyan b Mahesh Sarangi 00
Vijay Choure c N Satyan b Mahesh Sarangi 00
Paritosh Pramanik st N Satyan b Shrikant Tikle 00
Ramamurti Nerle Not Out 12
Avinash Kahu lbw Ajay Kangali 01
Extras: b 2, lb 1, nb 1, w 5) 9
TOTAL: (All out, 18.1) 120
Fall of wickets: 1-44, 2-45, 3-87, 4-100, 5-102, 6-102, 7-103, 8-104, 9-106.
Bowling:
Manish Shriwas 1-0-19-0
Ramesh Rao 2-0-20-0
Mahesh Sarangi 4-0-24-5
Ajay Kangali 3.1-0-15-3
Ronnele Michael 3-0-19-0
Shrikant Tikle 4-0-20-0
NAVBHARAT INNINGS
N Satyan run out (Pramanik-Lokhande) 09
Arun Narsapurkar c Sanjay Chinchole b Susheem Kolay 04
Ajay Kangali lbw Vijay Choure 04
Mahesh Sarangi c Hitesh Limbachia b Pravin Lokhande 25
Ronnele Michael lbw Ramanurti Nerle 15
Manish Shriwas c Vijay Choure v Avinash Kahu 16
Shrikant Tikle c Hitesh Limbachia b Pravin Lokhande 11
Hemang Rawal b Ramamurti Nerle 01
Madan Ganvir b Pravin Lokhande 00
Shyam Nagarkar Not Out 00
Ramesh Rao b Pravin Lokhande 00
Extras: (b 1, w 6) 7
TOTAL: (All out, 18.3 overs) 93
Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-9, 3-37, 4-47, 5-72, 6-84, 7-86, 8-93, 9-93.
Bowling
Susheem Kolay 3-0-14-1
Vijay Choure 3-0-17-1
Ramamurti Nerle 4-0-17-2
Pravin Lokhande 3.3-0-14-4
Avinash Kahu 3-0-16-1
Nikhil Dixit 2-0-14-0

2nd semis--The Hitavada vs Navbharat- Day in pics

All Pics S Sudarshan

Semi-finals in pictures

(Pics courtesy S Sudarshan, The Hitavada and Sakaal)