Shillong, Apr 5: Tura District Cricket Association lifted the Meghalaya Cricket Association’s U-15 Inter District Cricket Tournament 2023 title after defeating Shillong Cricket Association-A by four wickets on the second and last day of the final in Umbuda, Ri-Bhoi, today.
Batting first after winning the toss yesterday, SCA-A were all out for 101 and TDCA replied with 110/10. At stumps, SCA-A were on 46/3 in their second innings.
Today, Shillong were out for 101 all over again, leaving Tura a target of 93 for victory, which they accomplished, though with a little difficulty as they lost six wickets in the process.
Resuming on 25 not out, Dipayan Nandi, SCA-A’s big batting hope, was out after the addition of only two more runs. Aashih K Lohar contributed 18 but Shillong, on 78/9, were on the verge of a two-digit score before Number 11 Rohit Sharma’s 12-ball 21 got them past 100, but only just.
Just three bowlers were utilised by Tura and they were all among the wickets – Manthan Gupta scalped 4/20, Silgrim B Marak 2/24 and Ben Haden N Marak 2/48.
It was not all plain sailing for Tura in the chase but Agatchu Chetai K Marak made a top score of 28, which with the smaller but still vital contributions of his team mates got the team over the finish line. Sharma was the main danger man with the ball, taking 3/37.
Having bagged six wickets with the ball and scored 41 with the bat, Ben Haden was named Player of the Match and Gupta, who claimed a superlative 33 wickets, the Player of the Tournament.
Senior MCA officials and those representing the district associations were present on the occasion of the final and the champions’ trophy was handed over to the victorious TDCA team by MCA Honorary President Naba Bhattacharjee.
This year a new format was used to thoroughly test the budding teenaged cricketers and prepare them to represent the state in national tournaments, with each match held over two days with two innings per side, and the high level of competition did not disappoint.