Reserve Bank of India batted with plenty of determination and managed to knock out defending champion DTDC Express by clinching a narrow three-wicket victory in a closely fought semi-final match of the Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar T20 Cup Inter-Office Cricket Tournament 2024, being organized by Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers (RCF) under the auspices of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) and played at the RCF Colony ground in Chembur.
Chief Guest, Shivkumar, CGM (F), RCF, hands over the Man of the Match award to Reserve Bank’s middle order batter Jyot Chhaya (centre) who scored 57 runs.
Preferring to bat first, DTDC Express posted a decent total of 179 for the loss of five wickets from their stipulated 20 overs. Leading DTDC’s charge was opening batsmen Japjeet Randhwa who smashed 82 runs (61-balls, 7x4s, 3x6s) and Viraj Jadhav 32 runs. Later, middle order bats, Ajit Yadav scored 27 runs and Omkar Ghule made 19 runs to lift the innings while Reserve Bank’s all-rounder Ameya Dandekar took two wickets for 25 runs.
Later, Reserve Bank of India, after struggling initially, managed to overhaul the winning target reaching 180 for seven wickets from their quota of 20 overs. After losing the first three wickets, Reserve Bank produced match-winning efforts from middle order batters Jyot Chhaya 57 runs (30-balls, 4x4s,4x6s) and Shubham Chag 42 runs (23-balls, 3x4s,2x6s) as the duo put their innings back on track with a 74-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Later, Roop Kumar who struck an unbeaten 26 runs and Ramanpreet Singh 19 runs ensured Reserve Bank of India achieved their target and advanced to the final. Ajit Yadav two for 25 and Aniket Singh two for 29 were the successful DTDC bowlers. Reserve Bank will clash with Repro India SC in the final.
Chief Guest, Shivkumar, CGM (F), RCF presented the ‘Man of the Match’ award to Reserve Bank’s middle order batter Jyot Chhaya who scored 57 runs.
Brief scores –Semi-finals: DTDC Express SC 179 for 5, 20 overs (Japjeet Randhwa 82 (61-balls, 7x4s, 3x6s), Viraj Jadhav 32, Ajit Yadav 27, Omkar Ghule 19; Ameya Dandekar 2/25) lost to Reserve Bank of India 180 for 7, 20 overs (Jyot Chhaya 57 (30-balls, 4x4s,4x6s), Shubham Chag 42 (23-balls, 3x4s,2x6s), Roop Kumar 26*, Ramanpreet Singh 19; Ajit Yadav 2/25, Aniket Singh 2/29). Result: Reserve Bank of India won by three wickets.