BHUBANESWAR 17-Dec-2017
Media XI maintained their supremacy in the Tata Steel Friendship Cup Cricket Tournament, winning the title for the sixth time in a row here at Kalinga Stadium Athletics Practice Ground today. In a repeat final, Media XI thrashed defeating Bureaucrats’ XI by six wickets.
The one-day tournament featured four teams and three matches as usual. But unlike the past editions, this time matches were played in red tennis balls, instead of cricket balls. Earlier in the semifinals, Media XI crushed Legislators’ XI by nine wickets, while Bureaucrats’ XI got the better of host Tata Steel XI by six wickets.
The turnament was inaugurated by State Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi, in the presence of Sports Minister Chandra Sarathi Behera, Tata Steel vice-presidents Rajiv Kumar, Arun Misra and Chief Resident Executive Manikanta Naik.
Bhubaneswar MP, Prasanna Kumar Patsani; Bhubaneswar (North) MLA, Priyadarshi Mishra; Principal Secretary to CM, Rajesh Verma and IT Secretary, Ashok Meena handed over the trophy and prizes in the closing ceremony.
RESULTS:
Match No 1 (SF): Legislators’ XI 58/5 in 10 overs (Priyanshu Mohanty 29, Sukesh Behera 2/15) lost to Media XI 59/1 in 7 overs (Sukesh Behera 22) by 9 wkts. MoM: Sukesh Behera.
Match No 2 (SF): Tata Steel XI 68/10 in 9.5 overs (Sudhir Mehta 22; Debi Priya Biswal 3/15, JD Pati 3/17) lost to Bureaucrats’ XI 69/4 in 7 overs (Debi Priya Biswal 44*) by 6 wkts. MoM: Debi Priya Biswal.
Match No 3 (Final): Bureaucrats’ XI 88/7 in 12 overs (J D Pati 19 runs; Faizal Ali 2/17) lost to Media XI 89/4 in 11.4 overs (Faizal Ali 25*) by 6 wkts. MoM: Faizal Ali.
INDIVIDUAL PRIZES: Player of the tournament: Debi Priya Biswal. Best batsman: Sukesh Behera. Best bowler: J D Pati. Best wicket-keeper: Manoj Mohapatra (Media XI). Best fielder: Sachidananda Rout (Tata Steel).
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PHOTO: Players of Media XI lift the trophy at Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar on December 17, 2017.
