Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 30: Outclassing Sidhant Academy in a close contest by 2 wickets in the summit clash, Stadium XI won the title trophy of the Col RN Chopra U-16 Boys Challenge Cup T20 Cricket Tournament, organized by Chopra Cricket Academy at its Grounds, here.
Earlier, batting first, Sidhant Academy scored a fighting total of 188 runs in the stipulated 30 overs, losing 9 wickets in the process. Ramandeep scored power-packed 51 runs off 17 balls, studded with 3 boundaries and 5 sixes, while Pavit Singh Ishar and Akshay contributed valuable 32 and 22 runs to the total respectively. Yogesh Sikka was the pick of the bowlers for Stadium XI, who scalped 4 important wickets, while Ashish captured 3 wickets. Skipper Sanchit Dass and Tayyab Farooq claimed one wicket each.
In reply, Stadium XI chased the required runs in 27.5 overs by losing 8 wickets, thus won the match by 2 wickets. Jagandeep scored handsome 45 runs off 35 balls with 5 boundaries and 2 sixes, while Kanhaya contributed brilliant 35 runs off 53 balls with the help of 3 fours. Sanchit Dass scored magnificent 24 runs off 18 balls, studded with 6 boundaries, while Samad and Yogesh Sikka chipped in with brisk 16 runs each to ensure their team’s win. Samad changed the complexion of the game in the crunch situation by hitting 2 fours and a six, while Sikka hit 3 boundaries in his knock. For Sidhant Academy, Pavit Singh and Ishar and Anshuman bagged 3 wickets each, while Avneet claimed 2 wickets. Yogesh Sikka was adjudged man of the match, while Jagandeep Singh got man of the series and best batsman award. The best bowler award was bagged by Avneet of Sidhant Academy, while the best all-rounder and the best fielder award went to Pavit Singh and Ramandeep Singh of Sidhant Academy.
Meanwhile, Dr Ram A Vishwakarma, Director IIIM has lauded the efforts of the organizers and intivited the participating teams and players of Under-12, Under-16 and Under-14 age groups for Prize Distribution Function to be held after the final match of Under-14 category at 4 pm tomorrow at the same venue.