In a nail-biting finish at the JU 2nd Campus Ground, Salt Lake, YMCA (College Branch) pulled off a stunning one-wicket victory against BNR Recreation Club in the deciding match of the CAB First Division Relegation Tournament 2024-2025 on Tuesady.
Chasing a daunting 399, YMCA’s gritty batting effort ensured they retained their First Division status, while BNR Recreation Club will now compete in the CAB Second Division from the next season.
BNR Started Strong With the Bat
Electing to bat first after winning the toss, BNR Recreation Club set the tone with a commanding batting display. Mohammad Irfan blazed his way to a scintillating 132 off 120 balls, smashing six fours and seven sixes, while Hamza Ali anchored the innings with a steady 100 off 131 balls, including 10 fours and two sixes.
Vikrant Singh Rajput’s 68 off 62 balls added late impetus, helping BNR reach a formidable 398/7.
For YMCA, Adil Alvi toiled hard, finishing with 2 for 103, while Gaurav Kumar and Pijush Laha struck crucial blows. Three run-outs, including those of Vaibhav Pandey (40) and Mohit Roy (26), kept BNR in check, preventing an even larger total.
YMCA’s Heroic Chase
YMCA (College Branch) faced a steep challenge after BNR posted 398/7 in 85 overs on Day 1. However, a collective batting masterclass on Day 2 saw them overhaul the target, finishing at 401/9 in 84 overs.
Bharat Naidu led the charge with a composed 117 off 176 balls, anchoring the innings with 11 fours and two sixes. Rahamat Gayen (65 off 104) provided crucial support, while captain Gaurav Kumar’s aggressive 59 off 66 balls kept the momentum alive.
The match-defining knock came from Dipak Shaw, who remained unbeaten on 63 off 48 balls, steering YMCA past the finish line with a blend of composure and flair.
BNR’s bowlers fought hard, with captain Abhijeet Bhagat claiming 3 for 72, including key wickets of Ajoyendra Mukherjee, Adil Alvi, and Shivam Dixit. Suman Das (2 for 59) and Dharmendra Thakur (2 for 55) also chipped in, but YMCA’s resilience proved too much to overcome.
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