Lokmat retain title in style

This is Lokmat's ninth title in this tournament. The tournament was organised by Sports Journalists' Association of Nagpur (SJAN) in association with Shalinitai Meghe Hospital and Research Centre.

Batting first after winning the toss Lokmat piled up 173 for 8 in 20 overs. Thanks to opening batter Sharad Mishra who slammed 65 in just 30 balls hitting 11 boundaries and one six. Sarang Walwatkar (21, 17b, 3x4), Devendra Sadavarti (20, 16b, 2x4) and Nitin Pataria (16, 10b, 1x6) also batted well. For Navbharat, Abhishek Singh and Rahul Abhyankar were chipped in with two wickets each.

In reply, Navbharat lost their wickets at regular intervals and were bowled out for a paltry 43 in 10 overs. Only captain Manish Shriwas (12) managed to cross the double digits. For Lokmat, young pacer Deep Sudhakar (4 for 7) was the most successful bowler. Sadavarti (3 for 9) also bowled well.

Later principal advisor of NYSS Vrindha Meghe, director, DMIHER (DU) off campus Dr Anup Marar, executive director of Raisoni Group Shreyas Raisoni, NUWJ secretary Bramha Shankar Tripathi, NMC sports officer Dr Piyush Ambulkar, director (marketing) of SMHRC Amit Das and Naina Mansukhani distributed the prizes. SJAN vice president Amit Sampat, secretary Paritosh Pramanik and convener Sujan Masid shared the dais. Dr Ram Thakur and Naresh Shelke conducted the proceedings.

Individual prizes

Man-of-the-series: Sharad Mishra (Lokmat), man-of-the final: Devendra Sadavarti (Lokmat), best batsman: Sharad Mishra (Lokmat), best bowler: Deepak Mane (Punyanagari), best wicket keeper: Manish Thakre (The Times of India), five wicket haul: Nitin Pataria (Lokmat) and Depak Mane, hattrick: Junaid Sheikh (Navbharat) and Deepak Mane