Income Tax end runner’s-up

By Ashok Dhamija

DY Patil Red outplayed Income Tax by 48 runs while defending a huge target of 222 in the grand finale of the 18th DY Patil T20 Cup that was played at the D Y Patil Sports Academy Stadium, Navi Mumbai.

A three wickets burst in space of twelve balls by DY Patil rookie pacer Abhinandan Singh (3/17) inside the powerplay reinforced the host’s dominance over the spirited Income Tax for the second time around in the tourney, after having won their Group C league encounter. 

The 26-year old UP born pacer Abhinandan, bowling with a seam up position with the new ball in the company of experienced Indian pacer Bhuvaneshwar Kumar (0/13) on a lively pitch took back to back wickets of Chirag Gandhi (1) & Shahbaz Ahmed (0) in the very first over of his spell by having them caught by his skipper Krunal Pandya at mid-on and deep midwicket region respectively. He later saw the back of Vishant More (10) who edged one to wicketkeeper Yogesh Takwale behind the wickets. 

Reeling at 21 for 3 at this stage, the dismissal of the rival skipper Mahipal Lomror (3) by 20 year old Suryansh Shedge soon after the power play proved to be detrimental for the Taxmen. Mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy (2/20) who plays for KKR later sent the well set Sheldon Jackson (31) and wicket keeper batter Anuj Rawat (35) back in to the dugout with his clever variations even as all-rounder Nitish Rana with his part time off-spin took two wickets. Income Tax soon slipped to 108 for 8 inside 15 overs. 

Tail enders Sumit Kumar (27 n.o.) and M Mohammed (30) used the long handle well to clear the boundaries with relative ease during their enterprising 59 run eighth wicket stand in the face of mounting run-rate to delay the inevitable, before the later fell to Anglorish Raghuvanshi in the final over. Income Tax in the end managed to score 173 for 9 in their allotted 20 overs in the end.

Earlier put in to bat, DY Patil Red consistent opening pair Aman Khan  and Siddharth Patidar (43) added a brisk 70 runs for the first wicket, despite rival skipper Lomror ringing in as many as four bowling changes in as many overs. Siddharth was the first to depart in the fifth over not before smashing six boundaries and two sixes in his individual score of 43 runs off mere 20 balls before being trapped leg before by Sumit Kumar.

Aman (43) who has been in prime form in the tournament having scored 298 runs in six innings including three half century at an average of 98.33, before the start of the final match, along with his former KKR team mate Nitish Rana (38) kept up the tempo by adding 67 runs off 7.4 overs for the second wicket, before left arm spinner Shahbaz Ahmed (2/37) double wicket strike resulted in dismissal of both the set batters in space of five runs by the 12th over. 

Abdul Samad (32) and LSG stalwart Krunal (23) played crucial hands to ensure the host crossed the 200 run mark in the 17th over. Krunal’s dismissal by Summit followed by Naushad Shaik (0) in the same over ensured Income Tax fight back as three more wickets fell in the very next over bowled by Ishan Porel (2/44). Income Tax playing in their first final did well to restrict the Pravin Tambe coached DY Patil Red side to 221 for 9 in the end.

" Playing for the first time in the prestigious tournament, I am happy to contribute to the team's winning cause in the limited opportunities provided to me. The idea was to ball in the right areas on a lively wicket with a seam up position and let the ball do the rest. Would like to express my gratitude to my mentor Abhishek Nayar for guiding me and Abey Kuruvilla Sir for providing me an opportunity to represent DY Patil Red team, said Abhinandan Singh, Player of the Match

“The tournament has been a no frills tournament and focused primarily on the game of cricket over the years. Not only it has provided an opportunity for emerging players to rub shoulders with the experienced ones (IPL and India Internationals) in order to excel. Over the years we have received good support from all the participants (Reputed Corporates and PSU teams split in to four groups taking part in the league cum knock tourney) along with the support of MCA. The tourney over the years has been well received by one and all including selectors and observers who also use this platform for scouting for talented players after witnessing their cricketing prowess on the field with the bat and ball, for various IPL franchises,” said Dr Vijay Patil, President of D Y Patil Sports Academy (DYPSA) and the founder of the tourney.

He further added “The 18^th edition of the DY Patil T20 Cup was a rollercoaster ride of cricketing excellence. With participation from 16 teams, 250+ players, and non-stop cricketing action, it was a true testament to the spirit of the game. The same was witnessed by cricketing fans from MMR region who turned up to watch them all play at the big stage. Congratulations to Team DY Patil Red, led by the formidable Krunal Pandya, on clinching the 18th DY Patil T20 Cup title. Their stellar lineup, including Abdul Samad, Bhuvaneshwar Kumar, Varun Chakravarty, Nitish Rana, Aman Khan and more left us in awe with their outstanding performances, talent and teamwork at its best throughout”.

Individual Award Winners:

1) Maximum Sixes - Mahipal Lomror (income Tax)

2) Best Fielder of the Tournament - Anuj Rawat (income Tax)

3) Best Bowler of the Tournament - Varun Chakravarthy (DY Patil Red)

4) Man of the Final Match - Abhinandan Singh (DY Patil Red)

5) Best Batsman of the Tournament - Aman Khan (DY Patil Red)

6 - Man of the Series -  Aman Khan (DY Patil Red)

Brief Scores (Final): 

DY Patil Red – 221/9 in 20 overs (Aman Khan 43 (26b: 7x4s), Siddharth Patidar 43 (20b: 6x4s, 2x6s), Nitish Rana 38 (27b: 2x4s, 3x6s), Abdul Samad 32 (13b: 3x4s, 2x6s),  Krunal Pandya 23 (13b: 1x4, 2x6s); Sumit Kumar 3/33, Shahbaz Ahmed 2/37, Ishan Porel 2/44, Lalit Yadav 1/46) beat Income Tax – 173/9 in 20 overs (Anuj Rawat 35 (24b: 3x4s, 1x6), Sheldon Jackson 31 (31b: 4x4s, 1x6), M Mohammed 30 (16b: 4x6s), Sumit Kumar 27* (21b:  3x4s, 1x6); Abhinandan Singh 3/17, Varun Chakravarthy 2/20, Nitish Rana 2/31, Anglorish Raghuvanshi 1/12, Suryansh Shedge 1/18) by 48 runs. Player of the Match: Abhinandan Singh (DY Patil Red).