News
26 November 2005
DISHA Cricket Challenge - the final
26 November saw the final of the DISHA Inaugural Cricket Challenge, held at Tadiwala Road's Railway Ground.Unlike earlier rounds - which had followed the 'Cricket Sixes' format, the final was a full 11-a-side match with each team facing 20 overs. Squaring up in final were teams New Azad and Ulhas Nagar, both drawn from local community youth groups. Even before the start it was clear to see that it was going to be a highly contested match, and there was a good turnout of support for both sides.The teams lined-up, all sporting the distinctive red AIDS ribbon, and New Azad won the toss, choosing to bat first. They managed to score 99 all out from 19 overs, benefiting from some dropped catches and plenty of byes, although the bowling was fairly strong. After a short break, Ulhas Nagar came in for their innings, but thanks to some inspired fielding New Azad bowled them out for 76 runs in 16.1 overs. A pitch invasion from the jubilant Azad fans confirmed that they were the 2005 champions.Deep Griha associate director Kiran Patole presided over the presentation ceremony, with impressive trophies going to the winners and runners-up, plus New Azad's Kalyan Tugave scooping the 'Player of the Tournament' prize.
To the accompaniment of drums and loud cheers, the winning team managed to conjure up a tempo rickshaw from somewhere and piled on board for an open-top victory parade around Tadiwala Road - let's hope for more of the same next year...
Category: DISHA