Galaxy Cricket Club won the 28th The Hindu FIC–ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel (AM/NS) India Cricket Trophy, organised in association with the Visakhapatnam District Cricket Association (VDCA), defeating defending champions Cavaliers Cricket Club by 53 runs in the final at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam on Sunday (May 17).
Electing to bat after winning the toss, Galaxy posted 304 for eight in 50 overs before Siraparapu Ashish’s six wickets for 50 bundled Cavaliers out for 251 in 42.1 overs.
The tournament saw 16 teams contest 14 matches throughout the season, with scores in excess of 300 posted on no fewer than 10 occasions — a measure of the competitive standard that the 30-year-old competition has come to command in the State.
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The presentation ceremony was presided over by D.S. Varma, Head – HR, Vizag Asset, AM/NS India, and graced by A. Prasanna Kumar, former Rector of Andhra University (AU) and celebrated sports commentator, who presented the awards. Mr. Prasanna Kumar drew on a lifetime’s association with the game to remind the gathering that the goal of cricket was to educate people on how to lose, win, and strategise,” adding that cricket had been “a great mentor” to him.
Sumit Bhattacharjee, Chief of Bureau, Andhra Pradesh, The Hindu, described the tournament as “one of the most prestigious in the State today,” and announced that the 30th edition would be held on a larger scale, with teams from neighbouring States invited to participate.
VDCA Secretary K. Parthasaradhi noted that the trophy was the only tournament in Andhra Pradesh to have been conducted continuously for 28 editions (30 years) barring the two lost to Covid-19 pandemic. He also thanked The Hindu and AM/NS India for their unbroken support, which has also jointly conducted the summer cricket coaching camp for over 30 years now.
K. Dheeraj Lakshman, whose unbeaten 94 off 97 balls anchored Galaxy’s innings, was named Player of the Match. Cavaliers’ U.A.V. Varma, who amassed 401 runs across the tournament, was adjudged the best batsman, while Y. Sandeep (Galaxy), with seven wickets, won the best bowler award. K.S.S Jayanth (Cavaliers), with 307 runs and five wickets, bagged the best all-rounder award.
ACA ground in-charge J.K.M. Raju, VDCA Vice-President D. Sanjeev and Joint Secretaries R. Gowri Shankar and C.P. Reddy were also present.