For third consecutive year two best teams in inter-press cricket square up against each other. Eight-time champions The Hitavada will meet last year’s runners-up Lokmat on Thursday for the 12th Orange City Hospital Cup Inter-Press Invitational Twenty20 Cricket Tournament. The final begins at 9 am at Dr Ambedkar College ground, Deekshabhoomi.
The tournament is being organised by Sports Journalists’ Association of Nagpur.
Both the teams share many similarities. Both have hard-hitters, who can change the game, both have batsmen who could stay put, both have bowlers for the occasion. The march to final too have been almost similar for the teams, roller-coaster ride. Given the last two finals this one too promises to be a humdinger. Lokmat had won in 2008 while The Hitavada reclaimed their glory in 2009.
The Hitavada will again depend on their experience of playing 11 finals in 12 years. Their personnel have hardly changed, age is not on their side but experience surely boosts their skills. The batting revolves around young Praveen Lokhande, who has a ton under his belt. Kamlesh Waghire has surprised all by his hitting abilities, captain Susheem Kolay keeps chipping in. The onus is now on the Dixit brothers, Nikhil and Rahul, who haven’t delivered their best yet, after serving to the team for 12 long years.
Left-arm spinner Ramamurti Nerlay has lifted the bowling by his amazing feat of four wickets in four balls against Times of India in the semis. Off-spinner Anupam Timothy has turned out to be a man with the golden arm while veteran Avinash Kahu still has old tricks up his sleeve. All they need is another team effort, a hallmark of The Hitavada.
Lokmat too have proven customers in their ranks. Nitin Pateriya is on a roll with his blazing strokeplay and so is Amit Khodke. Captain Pawan Dhande is a cool customer with bat and ball too. The only glitch is the middle-order that hasn’t been really tested so far.
The prize distribution will be held after the final at 12.30 pm. Chairman of Nairsons, Udaybhaskar Nair will preside over the function while Chairman, KSL & Industries Saurabh Tayal; Director of Orange City Hospital and Research Institute, Dr Anup Marar, Vice-President KSL & Industries, Mohammad Junaid, Deepak Agencies’ Deepak Lalwani and Tilak Patrakar Bhavan Trust Secretary, Shirish Borkar will also grace the function.
The tournament is being organised by Sports Journalists’ Association of Nagpur.
Both the teams share many similarities. Both have hard-hitters, who can change the game, both have batsmen who could stay put, both have bowlers for the occasion. The march to final too have been almost similar for the teams, roller-coaster ride. Given the last two finals this one too promises to be a humdinger. Lokmat had won in 2008 while The Hitavada reclaimed their glory in 2009.
The Hitavada will again depend on their experience of playing 11 finals in 12 years. Their personnel have hardly changed, age is not on their side but experience surely boosts their skills. The batting revolves around young Praveen Lokhande, who has a ton under his belt. Kamlesh Waghire has surprised all by his hitting abilities, captain Susheem Kolay keeps chipping in. The onus is now on the Dixit brothers, Nikhil and Rahul, who haven’t delivered their best yet, after serving to the team for 12 long years.
Left-arm spinner Ramamurti Nerlay has lifted the bowling by his amazing feat of four wickets in four balls against Times of India in the semis. Off-spinner Anupam Timothy has turned out to be a man with the golden arm while veteran Avinash Kahu still has old tricks up his sleeve. All they need is another team effort, a hallmark of The Hitavada.
Lokmat too have proven customers in their ranks. Nitin Pateriya is on a roll with his blazing strokeplay and so is Amit Khodke. Captain Pawan Dhande is a cool customer with bat and ball too. The only glitch is the middle-order that hasn’t been really tested so far.
The prize distribution will be held after the final at 12.30 pm. Chairman of Nairsons, Udaybhaskar Nair will preside over the function while Chairman, KSL & Industries Saurabh Tayal; Director of Orange City Hospital and Research Institute, Dr Anup Marar, Vice-President KSL & Industries, Mohammad Junaid, Deepak Agencies’ Deepak Lalwani and Tilak Patrakar Bhavan Trust Secretary, Shirish Borkar will also grace the function.
REPORT: THE HITAVADA
