Manipal: Jain University beat Bombay to take revenge and emerge university cricket champions

By Snehalatha, Udupi
Bellevision Media Network

Manipal, 06 Jan 2013: Jain University Bangalore became the all-India Inter-Zone cricket University champions with a resounding 82-run win over Bombay University in the final at the Manipal University ground here on Sunday. It was sweet revenge also for Jain who lost to Bombay in the semi-final last year. Chasing 336 for a win, Bombay were all out for 253 in 78.3 overs.

 

For a good part of the game today, the final was evenly poised with neither side having an edge. The only time Bombay seemed to be clawing to an advantage was when Pankaj Jaiswal and Shashank Singh came together for the sixth wicket. From 155 for five, they took the score to 222 when Shashank was dismissed by Samarth caught behind by Nihal Ullal for 32. That was in the 66th over and with an important batsman back in the pavilion, Bombay had very little fight left in them.

 

Their start was much the same as was the Jain innings yesterday. They lost two quick wickets, both accounted for by medium pacer C.A. Karthik. But it did not rattle the confidence of the Bombay batsmen.  A 50-run partnership for the third wicket between Jaideep Pardesi and Kevin Almeida steadied the innings. Kevin was trapped leg before by off-spinner Daniel Sequeira for 19 and Jaideep left  17 runs later, also trapped leg before by Shashindra, for a well-made 53 with a six and four boundaries from 96 balls. Once he was gone, the Jain bowlers kept things tight and got another wicket that of Siddesh Lad, 19, before Pankaj and Shashank came together.

 

Jain Univ team

 

Samarth Ravi Kumar

 

All the while the two were in the center, the Jain captain Kaunain Abbas had to shuffle his bowlers at one end, while retaining left arm spinner Daniel from the other. Pankaj and Shashank batted with determination and hit the bowlers all over the ground. The former even hoisted Daniel over mid-wicket for a six. To make matters a little difficult for Jain, Karthik dropped Pankaj twice at long off. Both times he had to sprint some distance to get under the ball.  Although he got to it, he failed to latch on.
That was the only aberration in the Jain fielding which was otherwise good. Once Shashank and Pankaj left, the fight was virtually over.  Pankaj was the seventh to go at the score of 233. The left-arm batsman tried to square-cut off-spinner Samarth and was bowled for 72 made from 89 deliveries, two fours and a six. 

 

The wickets were shared. Daniel who bowled 25.3 overs had three for 88, Samarth 3 for 45 and Karthik two for 37 were the others who did well with the ball.

 

Syed Kirmani, former Indian wicket keeper and Director Karnataka state Cricket Academy gave away the prizes. Samarth Ravi Kumar was declared man of the match and series as well.

 

Brief Scores;

At Manipal University ground: Jain University Bangalore beat Bombay University by 82 runs to win the title. Jain University, Bangalore 335 for seven in 90 overs and Bombay University 253 all out in 78.3 overs ( Akhil Rajput 20, Jaideep Pardesi  53, Kevin Almeida 19, Siddesh Lad 19, Pankaj Jaiswal 72, Shashank Singh 32. C.A. Karthik 2 for 37, Samarth Ravi Kumar 3 for 45 and Daniel Sequeira 3 for 88).

 

Man of the Match and Series --  Samarth Ravi Kumar