Reigning champions Reserve Bank of India (RBI) crashed at the first hurdle as they suffered a 6-wicket defeat at the hands of Space Sports Club in a first round match of the RCF T20 Cricket Tournament 2025 for the Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Cup, being organized by Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers (RCF) Sports Club under the auspices of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) and played at the RCF Colony ground in Chembur on Tuesday.
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
Sent in to bat, RBI were bowled out for 154 in 19.4 overs. RBI’s opening batsman Sumit Ghadigaonkar led the charge with a solid knock of 57 runs (31-balls, 5×4,3×6) and middle-order bat Ameya Dandekar played a good supporting role making 52 runs (32-balls, 4×4,4×6). But, their efforts went in vain. Space SC bowlers Vaibhav Mali 2 for 30, Rohan Gajjar 2 for 33 and Vikas Singh 2 for 37 were responsible in picking the wickets.
Later, Space Sports Club easily chased the winning target making 155 for 4 wickets in 17.4 overs. Middle order bat Kushal Dawane scored an unbeaten 43 runs (31-balls, 4×4), Rohan Gajjar 39 runs (20-balls, 4×4,3×6) and lower-order bat Puneet Tripathi 32 not out (19-balls, 4×4,1×6) saw their team coast to victory and send RBI out. Jay Nayak claimed 3 for 19 was the only successful RBI bowler.
In the second match of the day, Accountant General (L&R) Sports Club post a 4-wicket win against Balabhai Nanavati Hospital SC. Batting first, Nanavati Hospital put a challenging total of 166 for 9 wickets in 20 overs and Accountant General in reply comfortably score 170 for 6 wickets in 19.1 overs.
Brief scores: Reserve Bank of India SC 154 all out, 19.4 overs (Sumit Ghadigaonkar 57 (31-balls, 5×4,3×6), Ameya Dandekar 52 (32-balls, 4×4,4×6); Vaibhav Mali 2/30, Rohan Gajjar 2/33, Vikas Singh 2/37) lost Space Sports Club 155 for 4, 17.4 overs (Kushal Dawane 43* (31-balls, 4×4), Rohan Gajjar 39 (20-balls, 4×4,3×6), Puneet Tripathi 32* (19-balls, 4×4,1×6); Jay Nayak 3/19). Result: Space SC won by 6 wickets.
Balabhai Nanavati Hospital SC 166 for 9, 20 overs (Divyam Shah 68 (46-balls, 6×4,3×6), Omkar Jadhav 57 (30-balls, 6×4,4×6); Imtiyaz Ahmad 3/23, Yash Kadam 2/25, Prankesh Rai 2/31) lost Accountant General (L&R) SC 170 for 6, 19.1 overs (Varun Lavande 68 (29-balls, 7×4,5×6), Anshul 32 (30-balls, 1×4,2×6); Garv Jain 2/9, Onkar Jadhav 2/32). Result: Accountant General won by 4 wickets.