The 31st edition of the prestigious IES-Digiana Inter Press Cricket Tournament kicked off with an exciting clash in Bhopal on Friday. The opening match at the historic Old Campion ground saw Dainik Navduniya secure a commanding 47-run victory over their rivals, Dainik Jagran.
Navduniya Sets a Challenging Target
Winning the toss and opting to bat first, the Navduniya team posted a competitive total of 171 runs for the loss of six wickets in their allotted 18 overs. The innings was built on a solid foundation laid by their top order. Pradeep played a stellar knock, top-scoring with 57 runs, ably supported by Suresh who contributed a brisk 45. Vinay chipped in with 16 valuable runs towards the end. For the Jagran bowling attack, Anshuman was the most successful, claiming two crucial wickets, while Rahul and Chetan managed to take one wicket each.
Jagran's Chase Falls Short
In response, the Dainik Jagran batting lineup struggled to build momentum against a disciplined Navduniya bowling attack. They were restricted to 124 runs for nine wickets at the end of their 18 overs, falling well short of the target. Captain Ajit tried to lead from the front with 22 runs, and Ajay supported with 21. Prajwal added 17 to the total, but regular wickets prevented any substantial partnerships from forming.
Bowling Heroes and Award Ceremony
The victory was spearheaded by Navduniya's bowlers, who delivered a clinical performance. Mukesh and Kamlesh were the chief destroyers, picking up three wickets apiece. Vinay complemented them brilliantly, adding two more wickets to his all-round contribution. For his match-winning bowling spell, Mukesh Mansarovar was deservedly adjudged the Player of the Match. In a special recognition, Pradeep Bhatt was chosen as the RNTU Most Valuable Player for his excellent half-century. The awards were presented by Shanti Kumar Jain, the secretary of the Bhopal division cricket association.
In other matches played on the same day, Elite Warriors registered a close win over Blazing Yorkers by two wickets, while Mahabali Warriors defeated Super Heaters by 5 runs, setting the stage for an engaging tournament ahead.
