CHENNAI, AUG 17 :Sitting pretty at 130 for 5, Gujarat collapsed like nine pins as they were dismissed for 139 in 23.4 overs which gave Punjab a sensational 16-run victory in the final of the National Inter-State Under-15 Cricket Championship organized by Cricket Federation of Tamil Nadu at the Mayajaal Cricket Stadium here today.
Gujarat lost their last six wickets for just nine runs. Last four batsmen of Gujarat – Kurnal, Kaplesh, Darshan and Dineshji — failed to open their accounts.
Dismissal of Nasir and Jignesh by Sharanjeet Singh (2 for 29) in the 21st over was the turning point of the final. However, Punjab’s Ravinder Singh was the most successful bowler as he bowled an economical spell of 3.4-0-18.4.
Openers Shahid Sheikh (18) and Vikram Chaudhary (57, 6x4s) gave Gujarat a solid start by putting on 69 runs in 10.4 overs before Shahid was bowled by Siddharth. Ilesh Patel (13) and Harsh (10) were their other scorers.
Earlier, Punjab batted first and scored 155 for 6 in stipulated overs. Their openers Ravinder (18) and Vishu (28, 5x4s) gave their team a solid start as they were associated in a 58-run partnership. Nasir broke this partnership as he bowled Ravinder who contributed 18 runs.
Punjab lost some quick wickets and they were 101 for 4 after 14.5 overs. Here Sharanjeet and Joydeep held the fort for Punjab as they were associated in a 48-run partnership for the fifth wicket. They carried the total to 149 for 5. Sharanjeet was Punjab’s top scorer with a polished 45 which contained sweetly timed six boundaries. Joydeep hit 26 with the help of three boundaries.
Sumit Hooda of CFI was adjudged the Player of the Tournament. Dineshji Solanki (Gujarat), Vikram Chaudhary (Gujarat), Ilesh Pagel (Gujarat) and Ravi Pandey (Punjab) were declared the best bowler, the batsman, the best wicketkeeper and the best fielder. Purujith of Cricket Federation of Tamil Nadu was given consolation prize as he was the only player in the tournament who performed three-in-a-row feat.
Cricket Federation of Pune was awarded the best disciplined team of the tournament. N P Kailash, president of Cricket Federation of Tamil Nadu was the chief guest and distributed the prizes.
CFI senior vice-president Ravinder Talwar presided over the function and also distributed the prizes. Also present on the occasion were CFI president Sanjeev Sharma, secretary Amarjit Kumar and organising secretary Syed Sadiq Pasha.
Brief scores: Punjab: 155 for 6 in 25 overs (Ravinder 18, Vishnu 28, Sharanjeet 45, 6x4s, Joydeep 26, 3x4s, Dineshji Solanki 2 for 28, Nasir 1 for 23, Mehul 1 for 21).
Gujarat: 139 all out in 24.4 overs (Shahid Shaiek 18, Vikram Chaudhary 57, 6x4s, Ilesh Patel 13, Harsh Panchal 10, RaVinder Singh 4 for 18, Sharanjeet 2 for 29, Siddharath 2 for 12, Ravi 1 for 31, Khushdeep 2 for 29).