Unfancied Raj Chari produced a creditable fighting performance, but went down fighting to Nilesh Sangar, who managed to come good when it mattered the most to clinch a satisfying 3-2 (59-44, 44-38, 24-51, 19-54, 68-17) victory in a first round match of the CCI Snooker Classic 2026 and played at the Wilson Jones Billiards Hall on Wednesday.
Raj Chari went down fighting 2-3 against Nilesh Sangar
Chari lost the first two frames but staged a solid fight back to pocket the next two frames and force the decider. However, Chari, lacking experience lost the fifth rather tamely and also the match.
Nilesh Sangar staved off a strong challenge from unfancied Chari
In another match, Sukeel Venkatramani played confidently to blank Ajit Gharat 3-0 in three closely contested frames, winning at 56-36, 65-51 and 57-55.
In a tense and exciting contest, Vivek Narayan held his nerves to overcome Pranav Desai 3-2 (59-10, 29-63; 57-48, 48-68, 81-52) and advance to the next round.
Results :
Veer Singh Nagi beat Shubhojit Roy 3-1 (36-75, 55-33, 61-47, 60-55);
Vivek Narayan beat Pranav Desai 3-2 (59-10, 29-63; 57-48, 48-68, 81-52);
Nilesh Sangar beat Raj Chari 3-2 (59-44, 44-38, 24-51, 19-54, 68-17);
Kalpesh Mevada beat Sagar Desai 3-0 (54-50, 84-53, 74-36);
Ashish Gore beat Mohasin Shaikh 3-0 (45-34, 61-53, 66-23):
Sukeel Venkatramani beat Ajit Gharat 3-0 (56-36, 65-51, 57-55);
Ashok Ramteke beat Nikhilesh Pillai 3-1 (59-18, 20-60, 54-49, 79-72);
Rahul Narang beat Anant Mehta 3-1 (50-40, 41-44, 62-11, 60-30);