62nd Sir Benegal Rama Rau Bank Shield Cricket Tournament 2024
A determined Bank of Maharashtra staged a gallant fight and managed to snatch a tense and tight two-run win against Union Bank of India in the opening Group-C match of the 62nd Sir Benegal Rama Rau Bank Shield Cricket Tournament 2024, organised by Reserve Bank of India under the aegis of the Mumbai Cricket Association and played at the National CC ground.
Batting first, Bank of Maharashtra managed to score a modest total of 138 runs for five wickets in 20 overs. The star batsman was Jitesh Raut who top-scored with 55 runs while Ajinkya Deshmukh scored an unbeaten 21 runs, Ashutosh Mali and Azim Khan contributed 20 and 19 runs respectively to boost the innings. Union Bank’s Jash Ganiga took two wickets for 24 runs.
Defending a low target, Bank of Maharashtra bowlers did a great job and managed to contain the rival batters from scoring runs freely and surpassing their total as they restricted Union Bank of India to 136 for eight wickets from the quota of 20 overs and clinched a deserving win. Krishna Kumbhar was the lone batter to get some runs on the board. Bank of Maharashtra bowling attack of Shreeom Sanap two for 17, Ashutosh Mali two for 18, Ajinkya Deshmukh two for 25 and Santosh Jagtap two for 33 were responsible to break down the rival’s batting and seal a satisfying win.
In the second match, Bank of India proved too strong for Oriental Insurance SC and registered a thumping nine-wicket victory in a Group-C encounter. Batting first Oriental Insurance were bowled out for a measly 80 runs in 18.1 overs. Jay Bhorunde three for seven, Nitin Kadali three for 16 and Harshal Wagh two for seven claimed the wickets. In reply, Bank of India easily reached 81 runs for the loss of just one wicket. Sameer B. and Shreay Sarang scored unbeaten knocks of 30 and 18 runs respectively, while Vinit Sarang scored 21 runs to guide the team home.
Brief scores – Elite Div: Oriental Insurance SC 80 all out, 18.1 overs (Tarun Bose 19; Jay Bhorunde 3/7, Nitin Kadali 3/16, Harshal Wagh 2/7) lost to Bank of India 81 for 1, 11.4 overs (Sameer B. 30, Vinit Sarang 21, Shreay Sarang 18). Result: Bank of India won by nine wickets
Bank of Maharashtra 138 for 5, 20 overs (Jitesh Raut 55, Ajinkya Deshmukh 21*, Ashutosh Mali 20, Azim Khan 19; Jash Ganiga 2/24) beat Union Bank of India 136 for 8, 20 overs (Krishna Kumbhar 38; shreeom Sanap 2/17, Ashutosh Mali 2/18, Ajinkya Deshmukh 2/25, Santosh Jagtap 2/33). Result: Bank of Maharashtra won by two runs.