Date:26/04/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/04/26/stories/2006042612042200.htm

Sport - Cricket

Rizvi Springfield triumphs in a thriller

Special Correspondent

Chennai: Rizvi Springfield (Mumbai), chasing 235, snatched a last gasp one-wicket win with three deliveries to spare over DAV HSS (Chandigarh) in the final of the Parle Champions under-17 final at the SRMC ground here on Tuesday.

Requiring six runs at the beginning of the last over, Akshay Darekar slammed off-spinner Sumeet Verma's third delivery over mid-off to signal victory for the Mumbai team.

Akshay had taken a single off the first delivery and then Mohammad Saad had picked a run from the second.

Rizvi Springfield, coasting to victory at 190 for four at the end of the 40th over, lost its way to be 206 for seven with five overs remaining.

The contest hotted towards the end and DAV captain and wicket-keeper Awjit Singh had to be spoken to by umpire R. Sundar for showing dissent on the field.

Earlier, the third wicket pair of opener Rohan Bhosale (70, 117b, 6x4) and Gaurav Chavan (84, 92b, 10x4) had added 148 in 185 balls. The right-handed Gaurav, in particular, stroked fluently on either side of the wicket.

For DAV, left-arm spinner Japneet Singh impressed, picking up three for 30 off ten overs.

DAV, electing to bat, was bowled out for 234. Opener Nitesh Bharadwaj (65, 79b, 5x4) proved solid in the first half of the innings and No. 7 Tinku Kandhol (56 not out, 65b, 1x6) provided the thrust towards the end.

Paceman Nadeem Mahendi, claimed four for 46, which included a brilliant return catch. Left arm spinner Misam Husein (10-1-22-2) spun the ball on a surface offering some turn.

Former India cricketers Maninder Singh and Surinder Khanna presented the trophies to the winner and the runner-up.

Parle was represented by Praveen Kulkarni, from the marketing division. TNCA secretary C.R. Vijayaraghavan spoke on the occasion. The event was coordinated by P.N. Sankaran.

The scores:

DAV (Chandigarh) 234 in 49.2 overs (Nitesh Bharadwaj 65, Tinku Kandhol 56 not out, Sandip Bhattacharya 27, Nadeem Mahendi four for 46) lost to Rizvi Springfield (Mumbai) 235 for nine in 49.3 overs (Rohan Bhosale 70, Gaurav Chavan 84, Japneet Singh three for 30).

The awards:

Man of the Final: Gaurav Chavan (Rizvi Springfield, Mumbai); Man of the Series: Himanshu Chawla (DAV, Chandigarh); Best Bowler of the Series: Akshay Darekar (Rizvi Springfield, Mumbai); Best Batsman of the Series: Gaurav Chavan (Rizvi Springfield, Mumbai); Best partnership: 148-run stand in the final between Gaurav Chavan and Rohan Bhosale (Rizvi Springfield, Mumbai).