Category: Sports

STYX Crowned T10 Champions with Dominant Final Performance

HOUSTON: STYX produced a commanding display in the professional T10 final for Divn II teams against Masters, winning by 42 runs to seal the championship. After winning the toss and electing to bat, STYX posted 113 for 6 in their 10 overs, powered by a blistering 38 from Varun Jaswal and 29 from Debloke Maitra, with vital support from Aveg Kadian, Yash Patel and Debasish Das.

Masters faltered in the chase as STYX’s bowlers turned on the pressure. Dharmesh Patel, Aarnav Patel, and Naveen Kumar Reddy each claimed two wickets, while Ramesh, Vinay Kumar Pillai, Aveg Kadian, and Vinay Padala applied tight control. A highlight in the field came when Aveg Kadian pulled off a superb catch to dismiss Milin Patel, swinging momentum firmly in STYX’s favor. Masters were restricted to 71 for 9, handing STYX a comprehensive victory and the championship title.

The tournament showcased STYX’s all-round strength, depth and dominance across the series. Varun Jaswal was named Player of the Match, Debloke Maitra earned Player of the Series honors, and Debasish Das was recognized as Best Wicketkeeper of the Series. Strong performances across the campaign from Aarnav, Vinay Padala, Naveen, Ramesh, Yash Patel, Vinay Kumar Pillai, Dharmesh, Aveg, and Tarakaram highlighted the team’s balance, while contributions from Sudhir, Sanjiv, Vinay Patel, Adi, and Devjit in the league stages proved crucial in the road to the final. STYX’s triumph was a true team effort, underpinned by fearless batting, clinical bowling, and sharp fielding.

The victory was followed by a vibrant presentation ceremony, organized by Jagadish. Captain Debasish Das and VC Vinay Kumar Pillai received the Winners’ Trophy for STYX, while the Runners-up Trophy was collected by Masters captain Arun Anthony. Dinesh, the co organizer was thanked for his volunteering activity in scheduling of the tournament.

Varun from STYX was the MOM for the final for a match winning 38 runs. Debloke from STYX was named MVP of the tournament for his exceptional performance.

Tournament award winners were. Narsimhareddy from Telge Tigers CM  got best batsman with 135 runs, Hashan from SLL got best bowler with 13 wickets. Debashish from STYX got the best wicketkeeper with 18 dismissals. Sandeep from Telge Tigers CM  got Best All Rounder with 112 runs and 6 wickets. Hashan from SLL and Santhi Vardhan from Rodeo CC received special awards for Hat trick.

From the STYX team: “We would like to congratulate and thank Masters team for the excellent competition and also take this opportunity to thank Jagdish, Dinesh and the organizers for the most well-managed and competitive taped ball tournament in Houston”.

Cric clubs score card is https://cricclubs.com/viewScorecard.do?&matchId=2677&clubId=8675

YouTube link is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bMtv5AzJio&t=0s

Report on TCC Taped Ball website is at https://triggerscricket.com/?p=1110

HOUSTON: In a historic showdown, All Stars CC clinched their first-ever TCC Taped Ball Spring Professional Championship for Div II teams defeating the formidable Big 12 in a low-scoring final that showcased discipline, firepower, and composure.

Big 12 won the toss and chose to bat first, posting a modest 105/9 in 20 overs. Their innings never gained momentum, thanks to a relentless and balanced bowling attack led by Thisara Ishan, who removed key batter Neeraj early and went on to claim 3 wickets for 21 runs, delivering searing pace and pinpoint accuracy. He was well supported by Tanmay Shah, Archit Shah, and Roshaka Rajapaksha, each maintaining tight lines and pressure. A fighting 30 off 36 by Varun Satyanarayana was the only resistance, helping Big 12 reach a competitive total.

Chasing 106, All Stars openers Chathura Silva and Nishant Padhiar provided a steady foundation. The chase was anchored further by Roshaka Rajapaksha (34) and Archit Shah (34), with Nishant Padhiar contributing 26, guiding All Stars to a comfortable victory with eight wickets in hand. Arun Indugula and Prabaharan Devadoss picked up a wicket each for Big 12.

Led by the cool-headed captain Manoj Warnapura and dynamic vice-captain Thisara Weerasekara, All Stars finally ended their title drought, lifting the trophy in style.

The final was followed by a lively presentation ceremony, hosted by TCC organizer Jagadish Biradar. Dinesh, the co-organizer was thanked for his flawless volunteering activity of scheduling. Roshaka Rajapaksha of All Stars was the MOM for the final for the match-winning effort of 2 wickets and 34 runs. He was also the Man of The Series. The Winners’ Trophy was received by All Stars Captain Manoj Warnapura, while the Runners-up Trophy was accepted by Big12 captain Arun Indugala. Ojas from BHCC was best batsman with 325 runs, Roshaka from All Stars was the best bowler with 14 wickets, Pavan from Javelinas-Genx was the best keeper with 27 dismissals, Ojas from BHCC was best allrounder with 325 runs and 8 wickets, Aneesh from Big12, Manik from TG Titans and Ojas from BHCC got special awards for centuries, Vivek from Neo Spring Vireos got a special award for Hat trick

The TCC Spring 2025 Prof Final will be remembered for All Stars’ rise to glory and a tournament filled with standout performances and fierce competition

Cricclubs score card is https://cricclubs.com/3T/viewScorecard.do?matchId=2583&clubId=8675

YouTube link is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBOORRcDwH8

Report on TCC Taped Ball website is at https://triggerscricket.com/?p=1104

SUGAR LAND: Dilip Desai is an 83-year-old resident of Sugar Land. He has lived here for 35 years and has been an active participant in the Senior Olympic Games since 2012.

Desai was recently selected as one of just ten athletes nationwide to receive the Humana Game Changer award. This honor celebrates senior athletes who embody healthy aging and inspire others to stay active. Humana is the prime sponsor of the National Senior Games, also known as the Senior Olympics, which take place every two years.

This year’s games were held in Des Moines, Iowa, where more than 13,000 athletes competed. Desai competed in table tennis in his age group and brought home a silver and a bronze medal. He has been representing Texas in the games since 2012 and has won a total of three silver and one bronze medal over the years.

HOUSTON: WOMCC clinched their second consecutive TCC Taped Ball Championship in an absolute thriller, defeating a valiant CSK team who put up a fantastic fight.

WOMCC opting to bowl first after winning the toss, faced a determined CSK batting lineup. CSK posted a strong total of 90 in their allotted 10 overs. Sunil Patel scored 33 runs out of 23 balls, helping CSK to get a good total. Ali Bangash Ali played a brisk cameo, scoring 17 runs off just 9 balls, injecting momentum into the innings at a crucial stage. His quickfire knock featured stroke play and proved valuable in boosting the team’s total.

Jayanth Kalakuntla and Pradeep Naidu Dasu were the standout bowlers for WOMCC, both delivering an exceptional spell of 2 overs for just 15 runs and picking up 2 crucial wickets, while the other WOMCC bowlers provided solid support to keep CSK from running away with a bigger total. Behind the stumps, wicketkeeper Prakash Parthiban was impressive and quick behind the wickets, taking four sharp catches and showcasing excellent glove work throughout the innings.

WOMCC’s innings began with a burst of aggression, led by Captain Harsha Teja and Prakash Parthiban. Prakash set the tone with a blistering 22 off just 11 balls, launching a fierce assault that immediately put the opposition on the back foot. His explosive start laid a strong foundation for the chase. Following that, Viswatej Mudigonda anchored the innings with a composed and well-crafted 29, ensuring WOMCC stayed firmly in contention.

In a nail-biting finish, WOMCC needed 8 runs off the final over but lost two quick wickets in the first three balls, turning the game into a tense affair. Rising to the occasion, Pradeep Naidu Dasu held his nerve and delivered under pressure, smashing a crucial four followed by a match-winning six to take WOMCC over the line in dramatic fashion. His calmness under fire turned out to be the game-changer.

The WOMCC bowling unit was outstanding throughout the tournament, and special kudos to Viswatej Mudigonda, Abhiram Sirigineedi, Harsha Teja, who bowled exceptionally well, applying relentless pressure on opposition batters and contributing crucially to key moments. Their disciplined spells played a huge role in the team’s championship run.

Viswatej Mudigonda consistent brilliance with the bat, Prakash Parthiban’s explosive knock, and Pradeep Naidu final over finish were key highlights, supported by disciplined bowling performances throughout the game. Pradeep’s composure under immense pressure in the final over showcased his nerves of steel and proved vital in securing WOMCC thrilling victory.

Neelesh Musale, the proud owner, Harsha Teja the aggressive captain and Jayanth Kalakuntla, the energetic vice-captain, were all instrumental in leading WOMCC to get another championship, maintaining their perfect 3/5 record in the TCC finals!

The victory was followed by a vibrant presentation ceremony, organized by Jagadish, the organizers. Captain Harsha Teja and team owner Neelesh Musale received the Winners’ Trophy for WOMCC, while the Runners-up Trophy was collected by CSK’S captain Aravinth Ganesh. Pradeep Naidu and Prakash Parthiban from WOMCC were the MOM for the final for brilliant bowling and hitting match winning runs. Viswatej Mudigonda named MVP of the tournament for his exceptional all-rounder performance.

Tournament award winners were. Nishant Padihar  from All Stars CC got best batsman with 168 runs, Sachin from JCC, Kalyan from ECC & Shashivardhan from RSCC got best bowler with 9 wickets each. Thisara from All Stars CC got the best wicketkeeper with 23 dismissals. Kavindu from All Stars CC got Best All Rounder with 149 runs and 7 wickets. Shashivardhan from RSCC, Hemanth from Javelinas-Genx got special awards for Hattrick.

Cricclubs score card is https://cricclubs.com/3T/viewScorecard.do?matchId=2675&clubId=8675

YouTube link is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyMEf-50wXI

Report on TCC Taped Ball website is at https://triggerscricket.com/?p=1112

HOUSTON: In one of the most thrilling finals in TCC Taped Ball history, WOM Cricket Club (WOMCC) emerged victorious over Cypress Super Kings (CSK) to clinch the TCC Taped Ball Spring 2025 Premier title. The victory was especially sweet for WOMCC, who had previously fallen just short as runners-up in both the Spring T20 2024 and Summer T10 2024 editions of the Premier series. For CSK it was their first appearance in a Premier final.

Batting first, CSK posted a competitive total of 145 in their 20 overs. Khurram Nawaz Khan played a sensational knock of 55 off 34 balls, anchoring the innings after early breakthroughs. Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, CSK managed to build partnerships and keep the scoreboard ticking. WOMCC bowlers were disciplined, with Jayanth Kalakuntla (4-0-17-2) and Abhiram Sirigineedi (4-0-28-1) playing key roles in limiting the total. A flurry of late wickets and sharp fielding from WOMCC restricted CSK to a chaseable score.

The innings also featured a crucial turning point: a smart and decisive run-out engineered by Harsha Teja and Abhiram Sirigineedi, to get Mohammed Asfar right when CSK were attempting a late surge. In addition, wicketkeeper Prakash Parthiban was outstanding behind the stumps, affecting four dismissals, including three catches and one run-out. His sharp glovework and awareness played a massive role in keeping CSK from posting a more imposing total.

In response, WOMCC’s innings began in complete disarray, collapsing to 35/7 in just 8 overs. CSK’s bowling was led by Sriram Sureshkumar, who bowled a good spell and got 4 wickets for just 10 runs, shaking WOMCC’s top and middle order. At that stage, CSK looked destined for glory.

However, what followed was an unbelievable comeback, scripted by Abhiram Sirigineedi, who delivered one of the finest under-pressure knocks in TCC history. Walking in with the team in tatters, Abhiram played a sensational unbeaten innings of 71 off 41 balls, blending calculated aggression with calm composure. He lit up the final with 6 towering sixes and 5 piercing fours, thrilling the crowd and carrying WOMCC’s hopes single-handedly in a pressure-packed chase. He was well supported by Sreekanth Tangella, who scored 34 off 20 balls, helping bring WOMCC back into the contest with a crucial partnership for the eighth wicket.

With just one wicket remaining and 48 needed in the final 5 overs, the pressure was immense. But Abhiram held his nerve, finishing the game with a quick running between the wickets in the final over to lead WOMCC to a one-wicket win, sealing their first TCC Premier championship in dramatic fashion.

The final was followed by a lively presentation ceremony, hosted by TCC organizers Jagadish Biradar and Dinesh Kasliwal. Abhiram Sirigineedi was named Man of the Match for his heroic match-winning effort. Vishwatej Mudigonda was declared the Man of The Series. The Winners’ Trophy was jointly received by WOMCC Captains Harsha Teja and team Owner Neelesh Musale, while the Runners-up Trophy was accepted by CSK captain Krishnan Narayanan, who led his team with great spirit and resolve in their debut final. For tournament awards, Hamza from CSK was best batsman with 275 runs, Sarvanakumar from CSK was the best bowler with 15 wickets, Sukitha from Tuskers was the best keeper with 23 dismissals, Kiran from ECC was best allrounder with 231 runs and 10 wickets, Paul from Bulls and Saad from Gladiators got special awards for centuries and Vishal from ECC got a special award for Hat trick

This victory marks a major milestone in WOMCC’s journey in TCC, showcasing resilience, fight, and championship character. For CSK, this final was a proud statement of their rise in the TCC Premier ranks and a glimpse of future success to come.

Cric clubs score card is at https://cricclubs.com/3T/fullScorecard.do?matchId=2580&clubId=8675

YouTube link is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntWF2WIngUY

Report on TCC Taped Ball website is at https://triggerscricket.com/?p=1106

HOUSTON: Powerstars clinched their second consecutive TCC Taped Ball Championship in an absolute thriller, defeating a valiant RSCC team who put up a fantastic fight.

RSCC, opting to bowl first after winning the toss, faced a determined Powerstars batting lineup. Powerstars posted a strong total of 156 in their allotted 20 overs. Navin Negi once again led from the front with a composed 50, anchoring the innings with precision. Ronald Robinson unleashed a brutal counterattack, hammering a quick-fire 44, injecting much-needed momentum into the innings. Their aggressive partnership left RSCC bowlers searching for answers.

Chaitanya Krishna was the standout bowler for RSCC, delivering an exceptional spell of 4 overs for just 21 runs and picking up 2 crucial wickets, while the other RSCC bowlers provided solid support to keep Powerstars from running away with a bigger total.

In reply, RSCC’s innings started shakily as Sunny Nadeem struck early, taking 2 wickets in the first three overs, putting immediate pressure on the batting side. However, Sravan Bondugula stabilized the innings with a brilliantly crafted 51, keeping RSCC in the hunt. Karthik Verma almost turned the game on its head with a blistering quick-fire 35, pushing the match down to the final over.

With 7 runs needed off the final over, the pressure was at its peak. Dylan Joseph, displaying nerves of steel, defended the total masterfully, sealing an unforgettable win for Powerstars by a narrow margin. His calmness under fire turned out to be the game-changer.

The Powerstars’ bowling unit was outstanding throughout the tournament, and special kudos go to Rohit Bade, Vinit Patel, Saad Bantawalla, and Harish Tanaki, who bowled exceptionally well, applying relentless pressure on opposition batters and contributing crucially in key moments. Their disciplined spells played a huge role in the team’s championship run.

Navin Negi’s consistent brilliance with the bat, Ronald Robinson’s explosive knock, and Dylan Joseph’s ice-cool final over defense were key highlights, supported by disciplined bowling performances throughout the game. Dylan’s composure under immense pressure in the final over showcased his nerves of steel and proved vital in securing Powerstars’ thrilling victory.

Kalyan Chivukula, the proud owner, Karthik Vadlamudi, the captain, and Rohit Bade, the energetic vice-captain, were all instrumental in leading Powerstars to yet another championship, maintaining their perfect 5/5 record in TCC finals!

The victory was followed by a vibrant presentation ceremony, organized by Jagadish Biradar and Dinesh Kasliwal, the organizers. Captain Karthik Vadlamudi received the Winners’ Trophy for Powerstars, while the Runners-up Trophy was collected by RSCC’s captain Chaitanya Krishna. Navin Negi from Powerstars was the MOM for the final for a match winning half century and he was also the MVP of the tournament. Tournament award winners were. Sai Kiran from RSCC got best batsman with 446 runs, Tanuj from Kastech Kings got best bowler with 15 wickets. Akalanka from SLL got the best wicketkeeper with 25 dismissals. Jayan from Kastech Kings got Best All Rounder with 154 runs and 9 wickets. Sai Kiran from RSCC, Shahil from JCC, Darshan from Gladiators and Girish from HCCC got special awards for centuries.

Cric clubs score card is at https://cricclubs.com/3T/info.do?matchId=2474&clubId=8675

YouTube link is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bR4hXv55d1g

Report on TCC Taped Ball website is at https://triggerscricket.com/?p=1079

HOUSTON: Powerstars won the fourth TCC Taped Ball championship defeating finalist Masters in the final of the Fall 2024 tournament. Masters, opting to bowl first after winning the toss, delivered a disciplined bowling performance. Despite their efforts, Powerstars managed to post a competitive total of 119/8 in their allotted 20 overs.

Navin Negi lit up the innings with a dazzling 63 off 57 balls, blending finesse with aggression. His precise gap-piercing shots and timely boundaries kept the scoreboard ticking. Negi’s stellar knock was brilliantly supported by Dylan Joseph, whose crucial contributions at the other end provided much needed momentum. Together, the duo stitched up a vital partnership, frustrating the bowlers and laying a strong foundation for Powerstars. Manish finished with 2 wickets and there were 3 run outs.

Masters began their chase cautiously but struggled under the pressure applied by Powerstars’ bowlers. Karthik Vadlamudi set the tone with an outstanding spell, claiming 4 wickets for just 6 runs in 2.4 overs. His sharp variations
tore through the Masters’ batting lineup. Masters were bowled out for 76 in 15.4 overs. Ronald Robinson and Dylan Joseph each took two wickets, while Sunny Nadeem played a vital role in maintaining pressure, ensuring Masters never recovered in their chase.

Navin Negi showcased unmatched dominance throughout the playoffs, starting from ball one and leaving bowlers searching for answers. His consistent brilliance with the bat and sharp wicketkeeping skills were instrumental in Powerstars’ journey to winning the prestigious TCC championship. In the final, his unbeaten 63 off 57 balls sealed the match. VKC  from Powerstars was the Man of the Match for the final. For his overall impact across all playoff
games, Navin from Powerstars was awarded the Tournament MVP, highlighting his invaluable contribution to the team’s success.

The Powerstars’ dominance in the playoffs was highlighted by their top three contributors—Shubham Ranjane, Navin Negi, and Ronald Robinson—whose stellar performances made the road to the championship much smoother.
With consistent runs from these key players, Powerstars were able to set competitive totals and chase down targets effortlessly. Ronald Robinson was the highest run getter and Rohit Bade was the highest wicket-taker within the Powerstars squad helping them secure the coveted TCC Championship.

A special mention to Masters team for their wonderful run throughout the season. Their consistent performances were key to their successful run to the final, culminating in their being awarded the Runners-Up Trophy. Their commitment and teamwork were crucial in the team’s journey to the championship Final.

Under the able leadership of Kalyan Chivukula, Powerstars have consistently grown from strength to strength, evolving into a dominant force in the Taped Ball cricket scene. Powerstars, under his guidance, have become a formidable team and a force to reckon with. Powerstars have maintained their 100% record in TCC by winning Championship in all the 4 finals they played.

The game was followed by a well-organized presentation ceremony organized by Jagadish Biradar. Dinesh Kasliwal of Team Gladiators was thanked for voluntary work on scheduling. Kalyan Chivukula, the captain of Powerstars
received the winner’s trophy and the runners up trophy was collected by Ashish Patel (Masters).

Tournament award winners for Divn I were: Yesu from CFCC got best batsman with 268 runs, Jayan from Kastech Kings got best bowler with 15 wickets. Devjit from STYX got the best wicketkeeper with 22 dismissals. Yesu from
CFCC got Best All Rounder wit  268 runs and 8 wickets. Yesu from CFCC and Ronald from Powerstars got special awards for centuries. Ali from CSK and Sajid from CFCC got special awards for Hattricks.

Tournament award winners for Divn II were: Garv from All Stars CC got best batsman with 228 runs, Khurram from Champions CC got best bowler with 14 wickets. Pavan from Javelinas- Genx got the best wicketkeeper with 23 dismissals. Khurram from  The Legends got Best All Rounder with 220 runs and 12 wickets. Khawar and Khurram from The Legends and Vamsi from Cougars got special awards for centuries. Ishira from All Stars CC got a special
award for Hat-tricks.

Scorecard is at https://cricclubs.com/3T/fullScorecard. do?matchId=2317&clubId=8675. YouTube link is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okyZD-0-mJjw. Report on TCC Taped Ball website is at https://triggerscricket.
com/?p=1035

HOUSTON: The TCC Summer Premier T10 Finals for Division I teams, held on August 26, 2024, showcased an exciting clash between the Bulls and WOMCC. WOMCC won the toss and chose to bat first, setting a target of 85 runs. This was the first T10 tournament by TCC Taped Ball and it was a big resounding success due to the active participation of the teams.

WOMCC’s innings was anchored by Navin Negi, who scored a crucial 44 runs off 25 balls. Abhiram added 15 runs, and Pratap contributed 9 runs. Despite some early dropped catches, the Bulls’ bowling attack kept WOMCC under pressure right from the get-go. Sharad’s first over was economical, conceding just seven runs, while Gaurav’s second over was exceptional, giving away only five runs and claiming a key wicket. WOMCC struggled during the powerplay, failing to hit boundaries. Pawan, Sathvik, and Srini continued the pressure. Pawan’s dismissal of Navin, caught on the boundary by Paul, was pivotal. Sathvik’s performance was noteworthy, reflecting his growth. Gaurav’s return in the ninth over proved decisive, taking two more wickets. In the final over, Srini took another wicket ensuring WOMCC struggled to find the boundaries they needed. Captain Sandeep’s strategic field placements and bowling changes were crucial in restricting WOMCC.

In their chase, the Bulls started aggressively with Gaurav scoring 12 runs in the first over, including three boundaries. The opening partnership between Paul and Gaurav contributed 28 runs in the first three overs, featuring four boundaries and a six. However, Vishwa from WOMCC shifted momentum by dismissing both openers in quick succession. Babar, instrumental in earlier rounds, was run out, adding to the tension. Sriram R and Sujith steadied the chase with 19 runs, mainly through quick running between the wickets. Sharad and Rohit then added 18 runs to the total, with Rohit hitting a critical four off a no-ball, swinging the momentum back to the Bulls. WOMCC’s Jayanth took Rohit’s wicket after giving away just 3 runs in 2 balls. Jagdish then hit a boundary easing the pressure but was run out on the last ball. With 6 runs needed from the last 6 over, Srini, known for his power-hitting, hit a boundary on the first ball and completed the chase with another boundary on the third ball. The Bulls secured victory in a dramatic finish, with Srini and Sharad maintaining their composure. The Bulls were crowned champions of the inaugural TCC Summer T10 Finals. Rajesh managed the Bulls with poise, guiding the team throughout the tournament.

The TCC Presentation Ceremony noted for its seamless organization, concluded the tournament on a high note. This year’s ceremony was especially memorable as it featured simultaneous finals for the Professional and Premier leagues on adjacent grounds. The event highlighted the camaraderie and sportsmanship among teams. Jagadish Biradar organized the presentation thanking Dinesh from Gladiators for his scheduling contributions, also all teams for their effective umpiring. Umpires for the final were honored with medals.

Bulls’ captain Sandeep Patil received the championship trophy, while WOMCC’s captain Jayanth accepted the runners-up trophy. Gaurav Mogane was named Player of the Match for his 25 runs and three wickets and also earned the MVP of the tournament award. Tournament awards included Saad from The Legends as the best batsman with 216 runs, Dharmesh from STYX as the best bowler with 12 wickets, George from ECC as the best wicketkeeper with 11 dismissals, and Gagan from Masters as the best all-rounder with 146 runs and 6 wickets. Special awards for hat-tricks went to Dharmesh from STYX, Chaithanya from RSCC, Viswatej from WOMCC, and Srinivasarao from Bulls, while George received a special award for a century. The ceremony concluded with Umpire Keith presenting the awards, marking a fitting end to an exciting T10 cricket season.

Online score card: https://cricclubs.com/3T/viewScorecard.do?matchId=2163&clubId=8675

YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNAEkDQskdM

Link to TCC Website report: https://triggerscricket.com/?p=1000

Bulls Team Roster: Rohit Sharma, Sriram Ranganathan, Sandeep Patil (c), Srinivasarao Kandubothula, Rajesh Nadipalli, Paul Praveen, Gaurav Mogane, Sid Sheth, Babar Rafiq, Jagdish Prajapati, Kishore Bandlamuri, Akhilesh Pujari, Sharad Amaranth Upadhyay, Pawan Ray, Mohammed Asfar, Sujith Kurian, Sathvik Varma, Sriram Mutyala, and Anup Agrawal.

HOUSTON: This Summer T10 tournament was the first time TCC has forayed into the very exciting 10 over a side tournament and it enjoyed great success topped by an exciting final. The Professional Final for Div II teams was played on a warm sunny morning for cricket on 18^th August 2024. The final was between Cougars who have maximum championships and final appearances in TCC T20 and SLL who were playing their first ever final in TCC

SLL batted first after winning the toss. Cougars had a great start as Vamsi from cougars clean bowled SLL main inform batsman – Dinesh on the first ball of the match. From there on Cougars bowlers kept SLL’s run rate under control with regular wickets. Shirak played a nice cameo of 29 from 16 balls and Chanaka scored an aggressive 21 of 13 balls to help SLL reach a competitive total of 77-7 in 10 overs.  Cougars bowlers (Vamsi, Nasar, Prashant, Rajesh and Babu) continued their rich form in the finals as well supported by some excellent fielding by Nagul, Abbas and Manzoor. While chasing, Cougars lost their opener (Krishna) early but a 51 run stand between Vamsi and Jay in 6 overs ensured that the chase was kept in control. Jay anchored the innings to score a magnificent 37* in 25 balls and finished the game along with Ashwin who scored the winning run in the 9^th over to spark off wild celebrations for Cougars as deserving champions having lost just one game in whole season.

The presentation ceremony was organized by Jagadish Biradar and as always, was enjoyable as it was combined ceremony for Professional and Premier league. Jagadish mentioned contributions by Dinesh from Gladiators in scheduling and thanked all teams for a successful umpiring in the tournament. Umpires for the final received their medals.

Cougars captain Vamsi accepted the championship trophy and SLL captain Chanaka accepted the runners up trophy. Cougars captain Vamsi was MVP for his top performance with bat (25) and ball (2-0-10-2). Krishna from Cougars was adjudged MVP of the series for his rich batting form throughout the series including two 50’s. In tournament awards, Dinesh from SLL was the best batsman with 260 runs. Roshaka from All Stars CC and Kiran Kumar from BCC Titans were the best bowlers with 11 wickets each. Thisara from All Stars CC was the best wicket keeper with 17 dismissals, Roshaka from All Stars CC was the best All Rounder with 92 runs and 11 wickets. Special Award for Hat trick was given to Rajneesh from CM Houston Arrows. Umpire Keith gave away the awards.

Online score card: https://cricclubs.com/3T/viewScorecard.do?matchId=2162&clubId=8675

YouTube Link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2E1NO96vt8

Link to TCC Website report: https://triggerscricket.com/?p=973

Cougars team: Abbas Patan, Ashwin Tandon, Devender Singh, Garv Chaudhary, Jagannath Jayanti, Jay Patel, Jikriya Shaik, Krishna Kurkal, Laxman Garikapati, Manjoor Shaik, Nagul Shareef Shaik, Nasar Shaik, Prashant Prabhu, Rajesh Pant, Sai Krishna, Swaroop Korishetty, Vamsi Kommalapati ( C ), Venkatesh Iyer, Vinit Patel

HOUSTON: Spring 2024 TCC Taped Ball tournament is sponsored by Desi Junction. The Spring 2024 Premier Final was played under perfect cricketing conditions on June 15th, 2024. The final featured the Tuskers, who were appearing in their third final, and WOMCC, a team with one championship under their belt and in their second final.

WOMCC won the toss and chose to bowl, hoping to leverage their formidable batting lineup, which had chased down numerous scores throughout the league and playoffs. The Tuskers started strongly but lost their first wicket for 22 runs in the third over. Despite this setback, their middle order—comprising of Sukitha, Shehan, Hamza, and Sachith—continued their impressive form, guiding the team to a solid 117 for 4 at the end of 16 overs. Though poised for a higher total, WOMCC’s bowlers were persistent, restricting the Tuskers’ scoring. A crucial cameo from Thusitha at the end of the innings pushed the Tuskers to a final score of 142 for 7 after 20 overs. Hamza Bangash was the top scorer with 38 runs, while Harsha Teja from WOMCC bowled a disciplined spell, taking 2 wickets for 27 runs in 4 overs.

Chasing a target of over 7 runs per over, WOMCC began well with Jayant and Bhargav adding 37 runs before Bhargav was dismissed by a rising delivery from Sisindu. WOMCC suffered another blow shortly after, losing the in-form Vishwatej for just 1 run, bowled out by Shehan.

Despite this, WOMCC maintained a steady run rate, reaching 69 for 3 at the halfway mark. Pratap and Ramesh looked set to push the chase, but after the break, Tuskers intensified their bowling and fielding efforts. Romesh M’s fiery spell led to the dismissals of Ramesh and Pratap in the 11th over, and Tuskers’ bowlers continued to apply pressure, dismissing WOMCC for 88 runs by the start of the 16th over. This ensured a comprehensive 54-run victory for the Tuskers.

The presentation ceremony, organized by Jagadish Biradar, was a highlight of the day. Jagadish acknowledged Dinesh from Gladiators for his volunteer work in creating the league schedules and presented him with a thank you note. TCC also recognized the contributions of all teams throughout the season for their umpiring efforts.

WOMCC captain Jayant accepted the runner-up trophy graciously, extending his congratulations to the Tuskers and commending his own team. Tuskers captain Sisindu praised WOMCC for their performance and highlighted the dedication of his team, noting the sacrifices made to secure the championship. Romesh from Tuskers was named Man of the Match, while Sukitha from Tuskers was awarded the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament. In tournament awards, Shubham from Powerstars was the best batsman with 309 runs, Bernard from SLCC was the best bowler with 14 wickets. Avinash from ECC was the best Allrounder with 179 runs and 9 wickets. Sai Kiran from RSCC was the best wicket keeper with 26 dismissals. Shubham from Powerstars received a special trophy for scoring 2 centuries. Bernard from SLCC received a special award for a hat trick.

Online scorecard is at https://cricclubs.com/3T/viewScorecard.do?matchId=2048&clubId=8675

YouTube link is at https://youtu.be/BrE2PFqVHD4

Report on TCC Website is at https://triggerscricket.com/?p=956

HOUSTON: Spring 2024 TCC Taped Ball tournament is sponsored by Desi Junction. The Professional Final was played on a warm sunny afternoon for cricket on 15^th June 2024. The final was between The Legends (previously known as Champions CC II) in their third final, and Masters in their first final. This tournament is once in a year opportunity for Div II teams to play for their own championship trophy

The Legends batted first after winning the toss trusting the batting form of Khurram, Saad and Khawar and the support of Umair, Saifee, Usman, Shinwari, Khalid and Adnan the captain. The score at the end of 10 overs was 68/4 and 143/8 at the end of 20 overs. Usman Ashraf with a top score of 32 and Adnan with a quickfire 15 batted well in the end overs. Masters were aggressive when started with good knocks from Ashish, Chirag and Gagan. The required run rate steadily increased due to good bowling and fielding and the score was100 runs in 16 overs. Masters increased the pace in the 17 and 18 overs and scored 29 runs with 3 massive sixers from Vishnu in the 18th over. It was a thriller in the end with 16 required off 12 balls. 16 runs were required in 2 overs. Khurram bowled a good 19^th over for 5 runs. Saad defended 11 runs in a thrilling final over and The Legends won by one run on the last ball of the game! The rearguard effort by Manish and Vishnu made the final a worthy thriller

The presentation ceremony was organized by Jagadish Biradar and as always, was enjoyable. Jagadish mentioned contributions by Dinesh from Gladiators for his voluntary efforts in creating league schedules for each tournament and presented a thank you note to him. Umpire Keith was the chief guest and gave away the awards

Masters captain Ashish accepted the runners up trophy. The Legends captain Adnan accepted the Championship trophy. Saad from The Legends was the MVP for the final for his match winning performance. Khurram from The Legends was adjudged MVP of the series. In tournament awards, Khurram from The Legends was the best batsman with 285 runs. Nasar from Cougars was the best bowler with 18 wickets. Suresh from Ground Breakers was the best wicket keeper with 23 dismissals. Amarnath Reddy from Cricket Woodlands was the best All Rounder with 271 runs and 10 wickets. Special Awards for centuries were given to Khurram from The Legends, Gagan from masters (2 centuries ), Khawar from the Legends, Roshaka from All Stars CC, Gautham from BCC Legends, Umair from Champions CC and Aarav from CM Houston Arrows.

Online score card: https://cricclubs.com/3T/viewScorecard.do?matchId=2051&clubId=8675

YouTube Link is https://youtu.be/VQcXC0eUqkw

Link to TCC Website report is https://triggerscricket.com/?p=931

By Rugwed Damle (Twitter @helicoptershots)

BARBADOS: “It’s India who won the T20 World Cup after 17 years – the drought is over ”.

Iconic words from Ravi Shastri after Hardik Pandya bowled the last ball to Andre Nortje as India pulled off a heist to beat South Africa in the Finals of 2024 ICC T20 Cricket World Cup at the iconic Kensington Oval in Barbados. It was pandemonium after that.

The iconic venue with 16000 capacity played perfect host for this penultimate clash. At the start of the match the venue was only 70% full, with fans complaining about having tickets to the game, but no flights to get into Barbados. But all was forgotten when the match had a photo finish of sorts going down to the last ball and every emotion was seen on the ground from players, coaches and above all fans.

If at the start of the World Cup, someone had asked – who would win the world cup this time? India did not play favorites. Why? Coz 6 weeks before the World Cup we had the IPL tournament in India and barring Kohli and Bumrah pretty much most of the players were either out of form or playing below average cricket. But I guess things change when you wear the blue. Don’t know what it is – may be pride, responsibility, pressure or something else. I can only imagine. But at the end of the semifinals, the Indian team along with South Africa were the only 2 teams that remained unbeaten throughout the World Cup.

And it started off in the same fashion in the finals. Kohli scored 3 boundaries in Jansen’s first over. It’s something that the fans wanted from Kohli’s bat who looked a tad bit off color throughout the tournament. The King saved the best for the last. Rohit Sharma jet off with a boundary but eventually got caught by Henrik Klassen. People did expect Pant to steady the ship, but he departed as well on duck with a leading edge to Quinton De Kock. Next to go was Suryakumar Yadav getting caught by Henrik Klassen who again took a blinder to get him out. India under the pump. Was it going to be one of those days again?

Axar Patel came to the crease and along with Kohli stung a nice little partnership. At the end of power play India was 45/3 their slowest start in Super 8s of the tournament. Axar and Kohli then steadied the ship scoring at a rate of almost 7 runs an over to take the score to 75 at the end of 10 overs. Axar played some breathtaking shots on long on but departed at a freakish run out by a direct hit from the keeper De Kock. Fans actually thought it was an overthrow, but Axar’s bat wasn’t grounded in time and he had to depart.

Following one left hander, came another one to the party. Shivam Dube started with some beautiful cover drives and flat batted sixes, but India still had not stepped on the pedal. Kohli decided to change gears hitting Rabada for a six, In fact one of the sixes went over the Gary Sobers Pavilion and out of the ground making the crowd go berserk. But in attempting to do the same again, departed at 76 from 59 balls. Hardik Pandya edged a four but his stay was short lived as he left in the 19th over to leave Ravindra Jadeja a lot to do by the end. India finished their innings at 176/7. A fighting total but not a World Cup winning one.

South Africa started their innings well only to have the opener Reeza Hendricks depart via a Jasprit Bumrah beauty. South Africa looked solid even with wickets falling at one end playing some positive cricket. After 10 overs they were at 81/3 in comparison to India’s 75/3. South Africa scored their 100 in just 70 balls. Although in doing so, Quinton De Kock was the next to go, hooking Arshdeep Singh and being caught by Kuldeep Yadav at the boundary. He scored 39 off 31.

Klassen continued the South African onslaught clearing the ropes with ease several times. In fact, one of Axar’s last over went for 22 with South Africa in the driver’s seat. But then came the bowling change by Rohit Sharma to bring on Hardik Pandya when Klassen went out trying to cut Pandya and edged it to Pant who caught the ball easily. His innings of 52 off 21 was a pure treat to watch as a cricket fan but also scary as an Indian fan.

With 26 needed in 24 balls, it was South Africa’s game to be lose. And that’s when Rohit played his last hand and brought his main weapon, Jasprit Bumrah. The over he bowled conceded not only 4 runs but got Marco Jansen bowled on a beauty, bringing on Kagiso Rabada to the fore. A fantastic over by Arshdeep Singh made a last-over feast with South Africa needing 16 off 6. And it could not have been better theater with Hardik Pandya bowling the last over. With Miller facing Pandya, it would be pretty much game on from here.

The first ball was slashed by Miller, went high up in the air with everyone thinking it was going to be a six, but Surya Kumar Yadav gulped that one from thin air to make it one of the best catches of the century and Miller stayed there befuddled unable to react to what just happened. Out came Keshav Maharaj with Kagiso Rabada on strike. With a slash from Rabada that took an edge to boundary there was still hope for South Africa but the person to hold the nerve was Hardik Pandya at the end and with 9 needed in 1 ball it was Team India that was going to party that night. And along with them the entire stadium. Total pandemonium with Indian players, coaches, and the supporting staff on their feet.

What a game! India deserving champions. When you go through a tournament unbeaten you show what a limitless side you are and India showed that right through this tournament.

As someone who was part of the first leg of games in New York, I was not even sure if I would get to watch any of the games. But after getting a chance to become part of the first leg watching the India Pakistan game I was happy to the core not knowing what life had to throw at me. I decided to take a chance and fly for the final leg. Booked my flights – not knowing if I would even get a chance.

Just like Hardik Pandya said after the game – “It was destiny bro”. It truly was.

Little did I know – not only would India be in the finals, but they would win it, and I would have the honor to become part of the team celebrations after the game was done. Moments I will cherish for the rest of my life.

Mastercard had an ad campaign some years back “There are some things money can’t buy, for everything else there’s Mastercard”, this World Cup final was one of them for me. What were you doing when India lifted the cup? Send me a tweet @helicoptershots.

HOUSTON: Winter Final 2023 for TCC Taped Ball was played on a beautiful day for cricket on 23rd March 2024. The final was between Gladiators, the 5-time champions in their 11th final and JCC, a one time champion in their second final.

JCC won the toss and elected to bat. Starting the innings JCC was at 14 runs in 3 overs. After a cautious start, Ronak got out to Vinayan. Facing disciplined bowling, Narsimha, Tapan and Anand tried to steady the ship but got out with scorecard now reading 34/4. Pragnesh, together with Abhi, started to get some rhythm and began rotating the strike a bit freely. Abhi utilizing paddle sweep to get some 3’s and odd boundaries. On the other end, Pragnesh(20) playing classic square and late cuts to keep the scorecard ticking. Both moved the scorecard to 91/4 in 15 overs. In the end overs, JCC scored 37 runs in last 5 overs by Abhi with support from Hiren, Vismay, Amish and Harpal. Vinayan, Sandeep and Ninad each took 2 wickets for Glads.

Needing a bit over 6 runs an over, Gladiators batters Sanman and Ruvent started confidently scoring 46/0 in 7 overs. However, Anand struck in his first over getting Ruvent. He struck again getting a well-set Sanman, thanks to a flying catch by Pragnesh. With some timely wickets by JCC bowlers, Glads were in trouble needing 47 in 5 overs. Aradhya and Suresh, new to crease, hit some timely boundaries taking 23 in next two, bringing the equation to manageable 24 in 3 overs and then 9 runs in last over. JCC’s last over specialist Harpal got Aradhya out on 3rd ball and now Glads needed 5 in the last two balls and one wicket. Sandeep hit one off the middle and skied towards the midwicket boundary. Tapan took the catch at the rope to get the final man. A nail biting final!!! JCC won the game by 4 runs, winning the trophy for the 2nd time in the league. Great performances by Abhi (60 runs and 1 wicket) and Anand (5 wicket haul). Good catches under pressure by Sachin, Vismay, Ronak and Hiren. Good tight bowling in middle overs by Amish and Vismay and Narsimha. Anand was adjudged MVP for his performance.

The presentation ceremony was organized by Jagadish Biradar and as always, was enjoyable. Jagadish mentioned contributions by Dinesh from Gladiators for his voluntary efforts in creating league schedules for each tournament and presented a thank you note to him. TCC also recognized the contribution of all the teams throughout the season for umpiring.

Kastech Kings got a special mention for upholding the spirit of the game. More than once, Kastech Kings were called out for exemplary show of sportsman spirit. They took decisions which were against their team and held the spirit of the game high and aloft and shining brightly!! Kudos to Kastech Kings and let them be a motivation and inspiration to all playing teams of TCC Taped Ball tournaments.

Gladiators’ captain Emad accepted the runner up trophy and gracefully talked about contributions from each team member. JCC captain Pragnesh in his first season as captain accepted the Finals trophy. He outlined how JCC was undefeated and topped the table out of 37 teams. Anand from JCC was the MVP for the final for his match winning performance. Abhinav from JCC was adjudged MVP of the series. In tournament awards, From RSCC, Sai Kiran was best batsmen with 300 runs and Shashivardhan Reddy was best bowler with 15 wickets. Khurram Khan from Champions CC II was best all rounder for the season(209 runs and 10 wickets). Special awards included Sai Kiran (Royal Strikers), Gagan Nayakwadi (Masters), Sukitha Pallimulla (Tuskers – 2 centuries), Gihan Senanayake (Tuskers) for centuries and Naani Sai Reddy (Royal Strikers) for a hat trick.

Online score card: https://cricclubs.com/3T/fullScorecard.do?matchId=1936&clubId=8675
YouTube link: https://youtu.be/XllHNQIwMKk

HOUSTON: Gladiators defeated Big12 in the Finals of Fall 2023 TCC Taped ball tournament, by 66 runs to lift their fifth championship. Thirty-Five teams across Houston participated in the Fall 2023 tournament.

Big12 won the toss and opted to bowl first under overcast conditions. Arun, Big 12’s captain, made an impactful start by dismissing Sanman of the first delivery. Amit and Darshan then established a solid partnership, accumulating over 50 runs in the next ten overs. Amit scored 34 runs off 32 balls before falling to Rakesh’s bowling in the 10th over.  No.4 batsman Parimal started briskly, hitting two boundaries in the same over to take Gladiators to 67-2 at the end of 10 overs.

After the break, despite playing with a broken thumb, Darshan increased the strike rate by hitting the ball in the gaps and punishing any loose balls. Big 12 responded with intelligent bowling, inducing false strokes and claiming wickets of Parimal (11) , Darshan(32), Mathew(5) and Emad(7) in quick succession. Despite Big 12 threatening to fold the innings with six wickets down, Aradhya’s classy innings prevented such a scenario.  Gladiators’ deep batting lineup shone through, with valuable contributions down the order by Aradhya (22), Ninad (8) and Suresh (6), who scored 40 runs off the last four overs. Suresh hit a stunning reverse sweep for six towards the end that demoralized Big12 bowlers. Gladiators concluded their innings at 141 runs, losing eight wickets. Arun picked up three wickets for Big 12, while Aneesh proved to be the most economical bowler, conceding only 19 runs and taking one wicket.

Mathew, opening the bowling for the Gladiators, conceded only one run in the first over. Ninad continued exerting pressure and subsequently bowled Rex (4).. Sandeep, ace leg spinner, maintained a tight grip while Left arm speedster Suresh, following his MVP performance in the semi-finals, claimed Adriraj’s wicket caught behind by Bhushan Bafna.

As the run rate climbed, Swapnil attempted a big shot against Sandeep, but Sanman’s sensational diving catch at the boundary ended his innings and spurred further energy amongst Gladiator players. Rajiv and Eshwar attempted to rebuild the innings, but Parimal broke the partnership. Ali fell victim to a brilliant fielding effort by Emad, resulting in a runout. At the end of the 10 overs, Big 12 had lost five wickets with only 45 runs on the board.

Prabharan, a big hitter, then joined Eshwar as the last recognized batting pair. Parimal dismissed Eshwar in the 12th over, and Pawan castled Prabaharan’s stumps to leave Big12 reeling at 68 for 7.  Gladiators then quickly wrapped Big 12 innings in the 16th over, with Big 12 managing only 75 runs. Parimal had the best bowling figures taking three wickets for only 10 runs, while Pawan and Suresh picked up 2 wickets each and Ninad and Sandeep claimed one wicket each.

Gladiator’s victory was once again symbolic of team effort with every member contributing towards the win in some form or the other. Gladiator’s top wicket taker and strike bowler Vishal Kalal was missed.

The presentation ceremony was well organized by Jagadish Biradar. Dinesh from Gladiators was thanked and appreciated by one and all for his voluntary scheduling services for the benefit of the teams. Emad Babri, Gladiators’ captain and Dinesh Kasliwal (Coach and manager) received the winner’s trophy, while the captain of Big 12, Arun, accepted the runners-up trophy. Darshan from the Gladiators was named the MVP of the final, and Amit Patel from Gladiators was nominated as the MVP of the series. Tournament level awards were also handed over. For Divn I, Shiva from HCCC was the best batsman with 252 runs. Kalanka from SLCC was the best bowler with 13 wickets. Rex from Big12 was the best wicketkeeper with 25 dismissals. Sriram from CSK was the best All Rounder with 134 runs and 8 wickets. Special award for century was given to Ashwin from Cougars and Sukitha from Tuskers. For Divn II, Amit from Houston Fighters was the best batsman with 252 runs. AP Sharma from BCC Legends was the best bowler with 14 wickets. Thisara from All Stars CC was the best wicketkeeper with 21 dismissals. Kavindu from All Stars CC was the best All Rounder with 230 runs and 13 wickets. Special award for century was given to Robin from Woodlands Hurricanes and Sumanth from Kastech Kings. Special Award for Hat trick was given to AP Sharma from BCC Legends.

Online scorecard is at https://cricclubs.com/3T/viewScorecard.do?matchId=1770&clubId=8675

YouTube link is https://youtu.be/m_k1v0Vo1i4

TCC website report is at https://triggerscricket.com/?p=882

DALLAS: Under the lights at America’s premier cricket venue in Grand Prairie, TX, the Lone Star State’s own Dallas Mustangs claimed the 2023 Sunoco Minor League Cricket Championship on Sunday night. The Mustangs’ victory was anchored by a tremendous all-round performance from Nosthush Kenjige, whose 27 runs and three wickets won him Bru Player of the Final honors.

The hometown Mustangs won the toss and elected to bat, but quickly lost star batter Andries Gous in the second over. The Mustangs struggled to score early on, reduced to 46/5 by the end of the 10th over. However, a 56-run lower order partnership between Ali Sheikh and Kenjige gave Dallas a fighting chance, with Sheikh scoring 36 from 25 balls.

Kenjige continued to anchor the inning and contributed 27 before being run out in the twentieth over. The Mustangs reached 121 runs, leaving the Cavaliers what seemed to be a highly attainable target to chase down. For New Jersey, three bowlers — Junaid Nadir Mahsood, Sunny Patel and Adil Bhatti — each claimed two wickets, in an outstanding performance in the field by the Cavaliers.

New Jersey seemed intent on popping the champagne as soon as possible, coming out firing with 38 runs from the first five overs, led by 27 from Kennar Lewis. The champagne was soon put back on ice, though, as Dallas picked up wickets at a rapid rate while clamping down on the Cavaliers’ scoring, including a match-winning bowling performance from Kenjige who conceded only nine runs for his three wickets across four overs.

Ehsan Adil and Hammad Azam also claimed a pair of wickets each as Dallas ran through the New Jersey lineup, bowling out the Cavaliers for only 77 to win by 44 runs and lift the championship trophy under a moonlit Texan sky.

The Mustangs’ victory saw them win the MiLC title for the first time in the tournament’s third season, following victories by the Silicon Valley Strikers in 2021 and the Seattle Thunderbolts in 2022.

There was further hardware awarded to Dallas’ lineup as Andries Gous won the Laxmi Most Valuable Player of the Tournament honors, the South African star leading all-run scorers in MiLC with 516 at a strike rate of 140.98.

ABOUT MINOR LEAGUE CRICKET

Minor League Cricket (MiLC) is a national Twenty20 cricket competition for city-based teams from across the United States, launched in 2021. The most extensive competition in American cricket, MiLC provides a foundational structure as a pathway to Major League Cricket and the United States National Team for the nation’s best players.

HOUSTON: RSCC won the TCC Taped Ball Professional ( Divn II ) Spring 2023 tournament by defending the modest target 115.This final was between RSCC (1^st final) and Champions CC II (2^nd final). Coming into the finals both the teams had massive victories in their playoff matches. This was a tightly contested final.

12^th of August was a bright and sunny day, Champions CC II won the toss and elected to field first. Matzke W has been known to be a bowling wicket with big boundaries on the leg side. Champions CC II were off to a dream start as Saad bowled a tight line in the first over which led to the wicket of Naani.  Nagarjun followed in the very next over and RSCC were in a spot of bother at the end of the powerplay with a score of 11 for 2. Nasir and Sai Kiran played positive cricket and led the fightback with an impressive partnership of 36 before Sai Kiran got caught behind to Rehan. Rehan bowled beautifully to trap the other RSCC batsmen by picking up wickets in regular intervals, RSCC could not find momentum due to lack of partnerships. Nasir held the fort on one end but ultimately Saad prevailed by finding the nick to a straightforward wicket keeper catch. RSCC were struggling at 77 for 9, when Shashivardhan and Chaithanya added 37 valuable runs for the 10^th wicket. Shashivardhan did majority of the heavy lifting by scoring 26 and remained not out. This lead RSCC to a defendable score of 114.

For Champions CC II, Rehan and Saad were the pick of the bowlers, they picked 5 and 4 wickets respectively. The other bowlers complimented them by bowling tight lines and not giving away easy runs. Wicket Keeper Khawar had an amazing day at the office by picking 7 catches and a stumping.

Chasing in Matzke W has always been a challenge, Champions CC II had a challenging task in hand. RSCC were off to a great start as Chaithanya dismissed both the openers, at the end of 5 Champions CC II were cautiously at 19 for 2. Brilliant piece of fielding and a direct hit by Nasir dismissed the in-form batsman and the tournament’s highest scorer Khawar Ali. Disciplined bowling by Raja, Naani and Shashivardhan kept Champions CC II run rate in check, this led to some rash shots and brilliant catching in the deep by Saketh and Sravan to give RSCC much needed breakthroughs. Excellent infield fielding by Shashivardhan and remarkable glovework by Sai Kiran led to their captain Adnan’s dismissal. Rehan played a patient innings, but RSCC bowlers were right on the mark and did not give any room for Rehan to free his arms. At last Rehan got caught in the deep by Nagarjun. At the end of 20, Champions CC II scored 96 for 9.

For RSCC Chaithanya, Raja and Shashivarshan picked up 2 wickets each. They were complimented well with tight bowling from Karthik and Naani, and brilliant fielding to keep it tight.

RSCC were rewarded their first championship and the celebrations showed how much it meant to all the players.

The game was followed by a well-managed presentation ceremony organized by Jagdish Biradar. Saketh Chikoti, the captain of RSCC was handed over the Championship trophy and the runners up trophy was handed over to the captain of Champions CC II Adnan Hasan. Shashivardhan from RSCC was the MVP of the final. Tournament awards were also handed over. Nasir from RSCC was nominated as the MVP of the tournament. Khanwar from Champions CC II was the best batsman with 237 runs. Sameer from SLL was the best bowler with 15 wickets. Suresha from WSK was the best wicketkeeper with 22 dismissals. Sai Prasad from Woodlands Hurricanes was the best All Rounder with 194 runs and 8 wickets. Special awards for Hat-trick were given to Umeed and Vineet from WSK, Raviteja from Woodlands Hurricanes, Abu from Houston Scorpions and Tanuj from Kastech Kings. Dinesh from Gladiators was thanked and appreciated by one and all for his voluntary scheduling services for the benefit of the teams.

Online scorecard is at https://cricclubs.com/3T/viewScorecard.do?matchId=1633&clubId=8675 and the youtube link is https://youtu.be/gbbFl30jvmA