Uttar Pradesh Secures Seventh Central Zone Under-14 Raj Singh Dungarpur Trophy Title
In a thrilling display of junior cricket prowess, Uttar Pradesh emerged victorious in the Central Zone Under-14 Raj Singh Dungarpur Trophy for a remarkable seventh time on Friday. The triumph came in a drawn final match against Rajasthan in Indore, where UP clinched the title by securing the crucial first innings lead. This victory marks a significant comeback for the team, which had finished as runners-up in the previous three editions of the tournament.
Dominant First Innings Performance by Uttar Pradesh
The foundation of UP's success was laid in the first innings, where their bowlers delivered a disciplined performance to bundle out Rajasthan for 218 runs in just 53.3 overs. Rajasthan's Puneet Yadav stood out with a resilient knock of 71 runs, helping his team post a competitive total. However, UP's bowling attack proved too strong, with Arnav Balotiya claiming 3 wickets for 40 runs, Saurabh Verma taking 2 for 26, and Mohd Sheran contributing 2 for 34.
In response, Uttar Pradesh's batsmen put on a mammoth total of 590 runs in 134.1 overs, showcasing their depth and talent. The innings was powered by centuries from Harsh Singh (188 runs off 264 balls) and Ayushman Yadav (157 runs off 193 balls), complemented by fifties from Aarnav Balotiya (85 runs off 109 balls) and Manit Chaudhary (68 not out off 78 balls). This commanding performance gave UP a substantial lead, setting the stage for their eventual victory.
Rajasthan's Stubborn Resistance in Second Innings
Facing a daunting deficit, Rajasthan fought back in their second innings, ending at 234 for 5 in 59 overs when the match concluded in a draw. On the third and final day, Rajasthan's upper order collapsed early, but a stubborn partnership from number 6 batsman Mukul Kaushik (110 runs off 163 balls) and Punit Yadav (58 runs off 84 balls) helped them avoid an outright defeat. For UP, Manav was the pick of the bowlers with 2 wickets for 22 runs, supported by Mohd Sheeran (2 for 43) and Manit Chaudhry (1 for 46).
Tournament Highlights and Key Performers
Throughout the tournament, several UP players delivered standout performances. Arnav Balotiya amassed 546 runs in 5 matches across 6 innings, while Ayushman Yadav scored 447 runs and Harsh Singh added 409 runs in their respective five matches. On the bowling front, Manav led the attack with 19 wickets in five matches, followed by Sourav Verma with 11 wickets, Ishu Sachan with 10 wickets, and contributions from Arnav Balotiya and Syed Arman Raza, who claimed 6 wickets each in five and four matches, respectively.
Recognition from Cricket Authorities
Congratulating the team, BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla praised Uttar Pradesh's grassroots cricket system. He stated, "Winning the U-14 Raj Singh Dungarpur Trophy for the 7th time in 13 editions reflects the strength of Uttar Pradesh's grassroots cricket system. Consistent focus on development and talent identification at junior level across districts is paying rich dividends." This endorsement highlights the systematic approach and investment in youth cricket that has propelled UP to consistent success in junior tournaments.
