The Faculty-Students Match is one of the highlights of the Prem Ranjan tournament. To see the professors shrug off the years in sporting garb against the young and raring students’ team is always a sight worth watching.
The Students’ XI won the toss and decided to bat. Sannihit and Shahid opened the innings for the Student’s team. Sannihit seemed to be in good nick, strewing boundaries along the leg-side. However, the proceedings were jolted with the entry of Prof Anup Kumar Bhandari, bowling the 3rd over. He claimed Shahid’s wicket as well as Sannihit’s. Sannihit was the team’s highest scorer with 22 off 10. Simha and Avinaash came next. Simha’s batting has to be one of the highlights of this tournament. Though not technically proficient, Simha possesses an inexorable confidence that shows in his batting. He was the second highest scorer for the Student’s side with 18 runs off 9 deliveries. Avinaash wasn’t too far behind, making 12 off 6. The Students’ side kept changing batsmen, to give everyone a fair bit of batting. Following Avinaash, came the skipper Dilip in the 7th over bowled by Arun. Dilip began his innings with a six, but immediately became the 3rd wicket to fall, a poorly-attempted shot caught by Miraj. The lower order wasn’t able to do much as the quartet of Nishant, Ranjith, Arun and Miraj kept the flow of runs low. The first innings closed at score of 114, a seemingly achievable target.
The Faculty team then began their chase, led by openers Prof Arvind and Prashant. Prof. Arvind displayed his finesse with solid technique. His innings was composed of agile running with a couple of exquisite textbook shots. The innings seemed to be picking up steam, Prashant beginning the second over by Aswin with a boundary. But he was caught by Hari immediately after. Prof Joe walked to the crease, a picture of silent confidence. But he had to leave for a golden duck, caught by Dilip. Out came Nishant. Nishant was in roaring form, and together with Prof Arvind kept the scoreboard ticking with timely boundaries. Prof Arvind fell in the 5th over, bowled by Sunny, making 16 off 18. Later, Nishant retired in the 7th over, making a rapid 42 off 20, the highest for the Faculty Side. But this was a move that proved to be the undoing for the Faculty Side. The tail end couldn’t do much to keep the run rate afloat, and the faculty innings ended at 96 runs, 19 runs adrift of the target.
But as an exhibition match, it was a great game, both sides playing gracefully and wholeheartedly. The Faculty will be eagerly anticipated by one and all next year, for what will hopefully be another exciting match.
Report by Rahul Jose
Article 19 