Patna: The Sadbhavana Cup Tennis Soft Cricket Tournament was held at Manoj Kamaliya Stadium in Patna City, featuring a thrilling contest between the Web Journalists Association of India (WJAI) and the Veterans team. The match drew an enthusiastic crowd, with spectators cheering both teams throughout the game.
Tournament Inauguration and Guest Honors
The event was inaugurated by WJAI National President Anand Kaushal, who attended as the chief guest. Special guests included WJAI National Secretary Madhup Mani “Pikku”, former cricketer and ex-Secretary of the Soft Ball Cricket Association Kumar Jyoti, 2023 Mr. India winner Chakrapani Pandey, and player Rishi Raj.
Former player and commentator Suresh Mishra, alongside Kumar Jyoti, honored the chief guest and other dignitaries with mementos before the match began. Addressing the gathering, Anand Kaushal announced that WJAI would organize such tournaments annually and appointed Kumar Jyoti as the coach of the WJAI team to strengthen their squad for future matches. He also praised the performance of women players, highlighting their impressive contributions.
Veterans Dominate With Batting Prowess
Winning the toss, Veterans opted to bat first and posted a commanding total of 189 runs in 15 overs. Pragati Singh led the charge with a stellar 78 runs off 75 balls, supported by Suresh Mishra, also known as Pinku, who scored 47 runs in 42 balls. Their 100-run partnership proved crucial in setting a strong target.
WJAI Struggles in Run Chase
Chasing 189, the WJAI team faced early setbacks as the opposition bowlers applied relentless pressure. Mithilesh Mishra top-scored with 32 runs, while captain Raju Pathak contributed 21. However, their efforts fell short as the team managed only 100 runs in the allotted 15 overs, handing the Veterans a comfortable victory.
Pragati Singh Named ‘Man of the Match’
For his outstanding performance, Pragati Singh was awarded ‘Man of the Match’. His aggressive batting played a decisive role in the Veterans’ win.
The Sadbhavana Cup Tennis Soft Cricket Tournament provided an entertaining contest for cricket enthusiasts. The spirited performances and sportsmanship displayed by both teams made the event a memorable one.
