Opener Prabhal Choukhande and skipper Varun Bisht added crucial 93 runs for the fourth wicket which helped Bapuna XI recover from an early collapse against Maharashtra on the opening day of the 29th edition of the annual Bapuna Cup, organised by Vidarbha Cricket Association, at Civil Lines ground on Thursday. Due to inclement weather, only 34 overs were possible on the opening day. Put into bat, Bapuna XI lost three early wickets and were 23-3 at one stage before opener Choukhande (61*) and captain Bisht (67) steadied their innings with a crucial partnership. After Bisht’s departure, Prabhal and Vishesh Tiwari (23*) took the score to 164-4 when play ended for the day.

 

Bapuna’s opener wicketkeeper Rohit Binkar edged one back to Maharashtra stumper Anurag Kawade off Prathamesh Gawade’s first ball. Aditya Ahuja could manage only eight runs while Himanshu Bante fell for a first ball duck. In the day’s other match between Dinshaw XI and Kerala CA at DY Patil School ground, no play was possible due to wet ground conditions. Earlier, the tournament was inaugurated by Parheez Gimi, President, Bapuna Group of Companies at VCA’s Civil Lines Stadium. Also present on the occasion were VCA Secretary, Sanjay Badkas, Joint-Secretary, Gautam Kale as well as host of other VCA officials. In his inaugural address, Gimi welcomed the players and support staff and wished them luck. This year the tournament is being played between U-23 men’s teams in a ‘Two-Day’ format, with BCCI playing conditions. The tournament features two local and three outstation teams.