CITI Gymkhana Cricket Club lifted the Masters Cup by defeating SB City Strikers by seven wickets at Citi Gymkhana Ground on Sunday. After winning the toss, Citi Gymkhana opted to field first. SB City Strikers made 125 for 7 in stipulated 100 balls. The innings saw useful contributions from multiple batsmen — Vikram Batra played a quickfire knock of 28 runs off 14 balls, showcasing aggressive stroke play. Kranti Pawar added 23 runs while Punit Kohli chipped in with 20 runs at the top. Late contributions from the lower order helped push the score past 120. For Citi Gymkhana, the bowlers maintained discipline.

 

Chandrashekhar Atram was pick of the bowlers with two wickets for 25 runs. Sandeep Singh, Adwait Manohar and Anup Fulper claimed one wicket each keeping the scoring in check. Citi Gymkhana lost just three wickets enroute to making 128 in 92 balls for the convincing win. Anup Fulper anchored the innings brilliantly with an unbeaten 62 off 45 balls. Shalabh Shrivastava provided strong support with a quick 30 off 18 balls, including two towering sixes. Rupesh Bhaik contributed a valuable 27 off 17 balls. Despite an early setback with captain Adwait Manohar departing cheaply, the later batters guided the team home with ease. Justice Vinay Deshpande, President of Vidarbha Cricket Association was chief guest of the presentation ceremony. Sanjay Badkas, Secretary, VCA and Suhas Phadkar, President, Vidarbha Veterans Cricket Association were the guests of honour.

 

Citi Gymkhana received the winner’s trophy along with a cash prize of Rs 1,01,000. SB City Strikers were awarded a trophy and Rs 51,000 in cash. Man of the Final, Fulper walked away with Best Batsman award; Naidu was named Best Fielder; Fortune CC’s Prashant Tagade was adjudged Best Bowler and Citi Gymkhana’s Adwait Manohar took home the top award of being Player of the Tournament. Virendra Kukreja of Kukreja Paris City and Sagar Meghe of Tirupati Urban Co-operative Bank Ltd were the main sponsors of the tournament.