Haryana defeated Punjab by an innings and 16 runs to clinch the second edition of BCCI recognized Second Balramji Das Tandon Inter State Under 16 Multi Days Cricket Tournament being played at Mahajan Cricket Ground, IT Park in Chandigarh.
Punjab was bundled out for 156 on the final day of the match wherein Aditya Sharma (4/42) and Parish Dhillon (4/42) had the major share of the four wickets each. Rahul Sharma (55) was the top scorer for his side. In reply to Haryana’s 266 runs in the first innings, Punjab was reduced to mere 94 runs, followed by 156 runs in the second innings.
The winning and runner-up teams were felicitated by Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, Advisor to UT Administration Dharampal and BCCI selection committee chairman Chetan Sharma in the presence of UT Cricket Association President Sanjay Tandon and Secretary Devendra Sharma.
In his address, UTCA President Sanjay Tandon said that his late father Balramji Das Tandon was always a frontrunner for promoting the talent of children and youth of the region. He affirmed that numerous talents are the outcome of this annual tournament being organised in his memory.
He said that UTCA has expanded the scope of this tournament from inter-zonal to inter-state tournament. More state teams will be included in this tournament in the upcoming edition to make it a pan India tournament.
In his address, HP Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur appreciated the organizers and emphasized that their efforts will provide a new dimension to cricket in the country. Speaking on the occasion, the Chairman of selectors committee, BCCI, Chetan Sharma said that junior cricket is the foundation of the game, which is much needed in the present times. The tournament not only fills that gap but also scouts for talent for the immediate seniors format.
Punjab’s Rahul Kumar was adjudged the best batsman for scoring 315 runs in three matches in the tournament with a century and a half-century, while Haryana’s Jai Kaushik was awarded the best bowler for clinching a total of thirteen wickets in two matches. UTCA’s Shaswatam was adjudged the best all-rounder, scoring 235 runs in two matches with four catches and three stumps.
Six teams including Chandigarh, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, J&K and Delhi were participating in this tournament which was held from 1st to 15th November. The tournament was recognized by the BCCI.
Present on this occasion also includes PCA Secretary Dilsher Khanna, HCA President Kultar Singh Malik, HPCA Secretary Avneesh Parmar, DDCA Secretary Siddharth Verma and former cricketers.
