Chhattisgarh win National handball crown

Patna, December 27, 2009: Chhattisgarh shocked defending champion Services by 29 to 27 goals to win the 38th senior National men’s handball championship at the Kishore Bharati Stadium in Kolkata on Sunday.

According to information reached here, the two teams were tied 15-15 at half-time.

In an absorbing summit clash where the lead changed frequently, Chhatisgarh’s experience and better tactics prevailed over Services’ youth and fitness. B. Kalita (7) and Binu (5) top scored for the winners while P. Kumar, I. Singh and N. Yadav scored five goals each for the losers.

Punjab beat Delhi 34-25 to clinch the third spot. Delhi, National Handball Academy (NHA), Madhya Pradesh, Haryana and Bengal finished at fifth to eighth places.

Deepak Kumar of Delhi was adjudged the best player of the tournament. N.S. Anand of Chhattisgarh was declared the best goalkeeper.

Results:
Final: Chhattisgarh 29 (B. Kalita 7, Binu 6) bt Services 27 (P. Kumar 5, I. Singh 5, N. Yadav 5). 3rd place: Punjab 34 (Mohinder Singh 12, Tarsem Singh 9) bt Delhi 25 (Samsher Singh 6, Deepak Kumar 6).

Source: CSJC

Bihar U-19 boys lose in BCCI Associates and Affiliates tournament final

Patna, December 23, 2009: Bihar’s Chhattisgarh jinx that began in the league phase of the tournament remained intact in the final too. Bihar lost to Chhattisgarh by seven wickets in the final of the BCCI Associates and Affiliates U-19 tournament in Raipur on Wednesday.

Much was expected from this side which got their first chance in a national-level BCCI tournament after an isolation of almost 10 years. The way Bihar boys played in final showed they needed more match practice and the nerve to excel in the bigger stage. It could be termed as total batting collapse.

According to information reached here, Bihar won the toss and elected to bat first. But Bihar batting once again crumbled against Chhattisgarh attack spearheaded by Ratik Raj, who claimed three wickets for 18 runs. Sunny Das’s two wickets for 9 runs and Prakhar Raj’s as many wickets for 18 runs further spelt doom as Bihar innings folded for only 105 runs off 38.3 overs.

Ravishankar (24), Kshlay Sharma (16) and Vikash Ranjan (13) could reach the double figures for Bihar.

In reply, Ian Coster once again fired his guns against Bihar. Coster made a brilliant half-century (56 runs). Prakhar Roy scored unbeaten 25 runs as Chhattisgarh reached the target losing three wickets on the way off 17 overs.

Sandip Patil, Director, National Cricket Academy, gave away the prizes. Sanjay Jagdale, Joint Secretary, BCCI, Ratnakar Shetty, CAO, BCCI, Stanley Saldanha, official of BCCI and Ajay Jha, Administrative Manager, NCA and distinguished guests of Chhattisgarh Cricket Association were present at the prize distribution function.

Bihar enter BCCI Associates and Affiliates U-19 tournament final

Patna, December 22, 2009: Bihar stormed into the final of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Associates and Affiliates under-19 cricket tournament outsmarting Meghalaya by nine wickets in their last league match at Bhilai Steel Plant ground here on Tuesday.

Now, Bihar will take on Chhattisgarh in the final tomorrow in Raipur. Bihar won five matches out of six they played so far in this tournament.

According to information reached here, Bihar bowlers called the tune and tormented Meghalaya batting line up with their probing and accurate attack. Ravishankar was the pick of the bowlers claiming four wickets for 32 runs. Satish Roy got two wickets for 16 runs while Kamalesh took one wicket for 17 runs. Meghalaya could muster 82 runs off 34.1 overs. Raj Bishwa (27) and Trijeey (14) were the only two batsmen from Meghalaya to reach the double figures.

In reply, Shashim Rathore played a rapid fire knock of unbeaten 51 runs to guide Bihar to a thumping nine-wicket victory. Shashim hit ten boundaries in his half-century. Ravishankar made 22 runs with four boundaries. Rupam claimed one wicket for 39 runs. Bihar reached the target losing only one wicket.

Bihar U-19 boys lose to Chhattisgarh

Patna, December 21, 2009: Bihar tasted their first defeat in the BCCI Associates and Affiliates under-19 cricket tournament in Raipur on Monday. Bihar lost to hosts Chhattisgarh by 25 runs in a league match.

According to information reached here, Chhattisgarh made 117 runs off 50 overs after electing to bat first. Ian Coster hit polished 67 runs to be the top rungetters for Chhattisgarh. Gurujeet scored 31 runs. For Bihar Satish Roy bowled well to capture for wickets for 31 runs while Rajesh Singh took three wickets for 27 runs.

After restricting Chhattisgarh to a moderate total, it was expected that Bihar boys would surpass the target without much hiccups. But that did not happen as Bihar batsmen crumbled and collapsed at 152 all out off 48.1 overs. Kumar Aditya (41), Mangal Mahrour (23) and Rajesh Singh (23) failed to defy the inevitable. Vishal (2 for 20), Sunny (2 for 25) and Gaurav (2 for 34) were the leading wicket-takers for Chhattisgarh.