Hari Singh Cricket Academy 334/10 in 39.5 overs (Suraj 139, Ankit 54, Mukul 4/54) defeated MD Cricket Academy A 186/10 in 29 overs (Ayushbhatt 46, Tarun 32, Mohit 5/45) by 148 runs
The first season of Pandit Jagdish Prasad memorial Under-16 Cricket tournament entered its final on the 24th of June 2019 after some high voltage games and magnificent individual performances. Eight teams consisting of youngsters aged between twelve and sixteen from Delhi and NCR participated in the tournament.
A final where two teams from the same group are head to head usually sparks some great atmosphere leading into the game. The HSCA and MDCA A were placed in the group A of the tournament and they were ranked first and second respectively. While HSCA entered the finals unconquered, the MDCA A lost only game of the tournament in the league stage against their opponent in the finals.
HSCA won the toss and keeping their first game against the same opposition in the mind, they decided to put on a score once again. Abhishek and Suraj got them off to a flying start. The pair added 68 in just 5.5 overs before Ayushbhatta trapped Abhishek in front of the sticks. Although Puru got out early, the wicketkeeper batsman Neel ensured that there’s no immediate collapse. As Abhishek kept carting bowlers all around the park, Neel remained defensive and despite him going at less than 60 per 100 balls the pair managed to steal 103 off just 69 balls.
With over 110 balls to go and his score already on 139, Abhishek looked well set for a double hundred but his inning was cut short via an excellent catch by Mukul Lamba. But despite his departure after a magnificent 139 off just 75 balls, he ensured that his team was well set to breach the 400 barrier. Ankit Mishra joined the party of Sixathon and with the help of some lower order contribution; he ensured a massive total of 334 in the first inning for their arch rivals to chase. The damage was evident with the fact that none of the MDCA A bowler’s could manage an economy rate of 7 or lower.
Facing an uphill task, the, MDCA A crumbled under pressure from start. Although they came in with some intent, the belief lacked from start. After adding 28 in the first four overs, they lost Sagar and Tarun followed him soon. Although the MDCA A managed to add 105 runs in the powerplays, they lost four of their top batsmen and the target was already a distant dream for them. If that was not enough, a collapse pursued them. They lost Tushar and Samarth in quick succession after losing Ayusbhatt on the edge of the powerplay. With a cameo of 29 off 19 balls, Mukul Lamba fought from an end; the wickets kept tumbling on the other. It was only a matter of time as HSCA bundled them out and secured the title without much sweating.
