Hindustan Times lift SBI Cup, beat TOI again
LUCKNOW: Skipper Abhinav Shukla struck a superb halfcentury to help defending champions Hindustan Times lift the glittering trophy of the SBI Media Cup Twenty20 Tournament, registering a thrilling six-run win against arch rivals Times of India, at the KD Singh ‘Babu’ Stadium here on Sunday.
This was for the second consecutive time when HT defeated Times of India in the event, and this made HT’s winning record straight against TOI as they always won against their spirited rivals.
It was hard to believe HT posting even a challenging score as at even after batting first after winning the toss, they lost six quick wickets for just 69 in 11.2 overs. But Abhinav along with “Mr Dependable” Chandan Kumar stitched together 58-run for the seventh-wicket and helped the side post 133/9 in 20 overs.
Right hander Abhinav, who was later named best batsman of the tournament for scoring 200 plus runs in four matches, played the sheet anchor role for the side, hitting a brilliant 77 in
60 balls with the help of six fours and three sixes, whereas Chandan (19, 25b) and Sharad Deep (10, 13b, 1x4) also made useful contributions.
TOI’s skipper Abbas remained the highest wicket taker for the side, bagging 3/26, whereas Rishi Singh Senger finished with 2/37. Abbas also did fine with willow, hitting
59-ball 57, which contained five hits to the fence.
It was a solid start by TOI when they began the run chase as openers Abbas and Rishi Singh added 32 runs for the opening wicket in 4.4 overs, but Senger’s fine catch by Manish at square leg off Rohit made the first dent in the TOI’s batting. Thereafter, Zuhaib’s ‘Mankading’
by Abhivan put the pressure on.
Zuhaib Khan (18, 20b, 1x4) and Rishi Singh Senger (17, 12b, 3x4) were the other main run getters for the losers, who could score 127/7 in 20 overs. Rohit Kumar Singh, who took 2/21, was later named best bowler of the tournament. But the man who turned the table in HT’s favour was none other than the seamer Amit Srivastava, who took 2/7 as even TOI needed 11 runs in the last six balls.
Abbas was later named manof-the-series, whereas Sharad Deep was adjudged best keeper. UP’s Urban Development Minister, Ashutosh Tandon gave away the prizes.
BRIEF SCORES
Hindustan Times 133/9 in 20 overs (Abhinav Shukla 77, Chandan Kumar 19, Sharad Deep 10, Abbas 3/26, Rishi Singh Senger 2/37) beat TOI 127/7 in 20 overs (Abbas 57, Zuhaib 18, Rishi Singh Senger 17, Amit Srivastava 2/7, Rohit Kumar Singh 2/21).
FINE SHOW
Powerlifters from Uttar Pradesh continued their good run at the ongoing Senior National Championship at Coimbatore even on Sunday, winning four medals so far. On Sunday Gorakhpur’s Rahul with a dead lift of 310 kg in 105 kg weight category won a silver medal, whereas Amit Maurya with a total lift of 887.5 kg claimed a bronze medal in 120 kg category.