The 31st edition of the IES-Digiana Inter Press Cricket Tournament kicked off with high-octane action at Bhopal's Old Campion Ground on Tuesday. Organised by the Bhopal Sports Journalists Association, the tournament's opening day saw Raj Express secure a commanding 31-run victory over Swadesh Jyoti, while the second match delivered a nail-biting finish.
Raj Express Dominates with Ball and Bat
In the day's first fixture, Raj Express set a competitive target after being put to bat. They posted a total of 117 runs for the loss of seven wickets in their allotted 18 overs. Opener Jalil Khan provided a solid start with a crucial 32 runs, well-supported by Zaid Hussain (20) and Naresh (19). For Swadesh Jyoti, the bowling attack was led by captain Akshat Sharma and KK Gangwar, who picked up three wickets apiece.
The chase, however, was dismantled by a spectacular bowling performance from Raj Express. Swadesh Jyoti's innings folded at 86 runs in just 16.3 overs. Their skipper, Akshat Sharma, top-scored with 24 runs but found little support from the other end. The star with the ball was undoubtedly Prashant Gurjar, who delivered a match-winning spell. He claimed four wickets, which included a brilliant hat-trick, effectively sealing the game for his team. Jalil Khan complemented him perfectly with three wickets, showcasing his all-round value.
Awards and a Thrilling Second Encounter
For his pivotal all-round contribution, Jalil Khan was named the Mansarovar Player of the Match. Prashant Gurjar's devastating bowling earned him the RNTU Most Valuable Player award. The honours were presented by Suresh Chenani, Chief Coach of Arera Cricket Academy.
The excitement continued in the second match, where News Atal Pradesh clinched a heart-stopping one-run win against Electronic Media. Batting first, Atal News put up a strong 159 for 9, powered by Vikramaditya Pandey's explosive 44 off 24 balls. In response, Electronic Media fought valiantly, with Sumit Sharma scoring an unbeaten 67. They, however, fell agonisingly short, finishing at 158 for 5, handing Atal Pradesh a thrilling victory.
Tournament Fixtures Ahead
The action at the Old Campion Ground continues with two matches scheduled for the next day. Peoples will take on Pradesh at 9 am, followed by the clash between Public Relations and Vertex Royal starting from 12 noon. The tournament promises more cricketing drama as teams vie for supremacy in this prestigious press cricket event.
