Champs RBI Fall at First Hurdle

 

Champs RBI Fall at First Hurdle

 

Mumbai, April 1: Reigning champions Reserve Bank of India (RBI) crashed out early, suffering a 6-wicket defeat at the hands of Space Sports Club in the first round of the RCF T20 Cricket Tournament 2025 for the Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Cup. The tournament, organized by Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers (RCF) Sports Club under the auspices of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), is being played at the RCF Colony ground in Chembur.

 

RBI, asked to bat first, struggled against a disciplined Space SC bowling attack and were bowled out for 154 in 19.4 overs. Opener Sumit Ghadigaonkar led the charge with a solid knock of 57 runs off 31 balls (5 fours, 3 sixes), while middle-order batter Ameya Dandekar contributed a fighting 52 off 32 balls (4 fours, 4 sixes). However, the rest of the batting lineup failed to capitalize, as Space SC’s bowlers, Vaibhav Mali (2/30), Rohan Gajjar (2/33), and Vikas Singh (2/37), picked up crucial wickets to restrict RBI.

 

In reply, Space Sports Club chased down the target comfortably, reaching 155 for 4 in 17.4 overs. Rohan Gajjar starred with the bat, scoring a quick-fire 39 off 20 balls (4 fours, 3 sixes), while Kushal Dawane remained unbeaten on 43 off 31 balls (4 fours). Lower-order batter Puneet Tripathi also chipped in with an unbeaten 32 off 19 balls (4 fours, 1 six), ensuring a smooth finish. Despite Jay Nayak’s impressive 3-wicket haul (3/19), RBI fell short as Space SC cruised to victory with ease.

 

Accountant General (L&R) SC Registers Victory

In the second match of the day, Accountant General (L&R) Sports Club secured a 4-wicket win over Balabhai Nanavati Hospital SC. Batting first, Nanavati Hospital set a competitive target of 166 for 9 in 20 overs, powered by Divyam Shah’s 68 off 46 balls (6 fours, 3 sixes) and Omkar Jadhav’s 57 off 30 balls (6 fours, 4 sixes). However, Accountant General SC responded strongly, chasing down the total with 170 for 6 in 19.1 overs. Varun Lavande played a match-winning knock of 68 off just 29 balls (7 fours, 5 sixes), while Anshul supported with a steady 32 off 30 balls (1 four, 2 sixes). Despite Garv Jain (2/9) and Omkar Jadhav (2/32) striking with the ball, Accountant General SC sealed the win with four wickets in hand.

 

Brief Scores:

Match 1: Reserve Bank of India SC – 154 all out in 19.4 overs (Sumit Ghadigaonkar 57, Ameya Dandekar 52; Vaibhav Mali 2/30, Rohan Gajjar 2/33, Vikas Singh 2/37) vs. Space Sports Club – 155/4 in 17.4 overs (Kushal Dawane 43*, Rohan Gajjar 39, Puneet Tripathi 32*; Jay Nayak 3/19). Result: Space SC won by 6 wickets.

 

Match 2: Balabhai Nanavati Hospital SC – 166/9 in 20 overs (Divyam Shah 68, Omkar Jadhav 57; Imtiyaz Ahmad 3/23, Yash Kadam 2/25, Prankesh Rai 2/31) vs. Accountant General (L&R) SC – 170/6 in 19.1 overs (Varun Lavande 68, Anshul 32; Garv Jain 2/9, Omkar Jadhav 2/32). Result: Accountant General SC won by 4 wickets.

 

Photo caption: Chief Guest, Diana Edulji (centre), is seen with RCF CMD S.C. Mudgerikar (speaking to the teams), Niranjan Sonak, Director Marketing, Ritu Goswami, Director Technical, Nazhat J. Shaikh, Director Finance at opening ceremony of the RCF T20 Cricket Tournament 2025 for the Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Cup at the RCF Colony ground, Chembur on Tuesday.