Columbus Indiana Cricket Club 2 were crowned champions.
MCT Division 1 Championship
Columbus Indiana Cricket Club-2 snatched an exciting two-wicket triumph on the last ball of the inning against Columbus Indiana Cricket Club-1, in the final (freezing weather with high winds) of the 2014 Midwest Cricket Tournament (American Cricket Federation Member league) played at the “Indianapolis World Sports Park”, a brand new world class cricket facility being inaugurated by City of Indianapolis.
CICC-2 emerged Division 1 (35 Overs) winners after overtaking CICC-1 total of 223 by scoring 224 for 8 in allotted 35 overs.
Game ended with high level drama as CICC-2 needed 15 from the last over. The first four balls went for 2,2,6,4 leaving the scores tied with two balls to go. 5th ball was a dot ball meant it all came down to the last ball of the game which ends up in a tight single to clinch the Championship. Monil Goklani was judged player of the finals for a quick fire 54 not out that includes all 15 runs scored off the last over.
A sixth-wicket match-winning 55-run partnership between man of the match Monil Goklani and captain Varun Sood (20) helped Columbus Indiana Cricket Club – 2 to adorn their showcase with the MCT A Division 1 Trophy. Monil Goklani remained not out on 54 which came off 40 deliveries and contained two well-executed boundaries and four towering sixes.
Earlier, Ameya Oke (60, 2x4s, 4x6s) and Saurabh Suresh gave their team a sound start as they stitched a 53-run opening wicket stand before Suresh was stumped by Ram Velamakanni of the bowling of Karthik Thinnanur. He made 15 from 20 deliveries. Ameya Oke was associated in another useful 45-run second wicket partnership with Aalok Trivedi (45, 2x4s, 1×6). Rahul Bhardwaj captured two wickets for 30 runs.
Batting first after being put in to bat by CICC-2, skipper Varun Sood. CICC-1, captained by Abhinav Pandey, and mustered 223 for 7 in allotted 35 overs. They lost opener Ram Velamakanni (6), adjudged leg before wicket to Chirag Ambaliya, with scorecard reading just 12.
Abhijeet Nande 28 (2x4s) 28 joined opener Bhavin Parikh (50) (1×6, 3x4s) and they consolidated their innings with a 95 runs partnership for the second wicket. Abhijeet was caught by Chirag Ambaliya of the bowling of Rushil Basavaraj at 107. CICC-I could add only one run to their total before Abhinav Pandey returned to the pavilion without opening his account.
Later in the innings, Abhishek Muralidharan (48, 5x4s, 2x6s) and Rahul Bhardwaj (26) made valuable contribution before Columbus Indiana Cricket Club – 1 innings came to close at 223 for 7 in 35 overs. Mr. Extras contributed 40, including 34 wides. Chiraj Ambaliya (3 for 49) and Rushil Basavaraj (3 for 44) were the most successful bowlers for CICC-2.
Runners up Columbus Indiana Cricket Club 1.
Columbus Indiana Cricket Club (CICC) is a non-profit group of enthusiasts of cricket in the mid-west US region was founded in 1999 with just 4 players from CMI and started playing in MCT 2001. CICC is currently comprised of >90% CMI (Cummins) Employees from different Business Units. CICC only group from Indiana in MCT for last 14 years and winning two championships. CICC becomes the first club to play 2014 final within in MCT History (Since 1997).
Brief scores:
CICC1: 223 for 7 in 35 overs (Bhavin Parik Parikh 50, 3x4s, 1×6, Abhijeet Nande 28, Abhishek Muralidharan 48, 5x4s, 2x6s, Joydeep Chakrabarti 10, Rahul Bhardwaj not out 26, 3x4s, 1×6, Karthik Thinnaur 16. Extras 40, Chirag Ambaliya 3 for 49, Rushil Basavaraj 3 for 44, Monil Goklani 1 for27).
CICC2: 224 for 8 in 35 overs (Saurabh Suresh 15, Ameya Oke 60, 2x4s, 4x6s, Aalok Trivedi 45, Guha Raman 9, Monil Goklani not out 54 2x4s, 4x6s, Varun Sood 20, Rahul Bhardwaj 2 for 30, Avinaschander Manivannan 1 for 36, Abhinav Pandey 1 for 9, Joydeep Chakrabarti 1 for 47, Karthik Thinnanur 1 for 28, Ashutosh Singh 1 for 52)
Meanwhile, so far seven teams from Indiana have competed in the Midwest Cricket Tournament in the last 17 years. With exception of IU Blooming Cricket Club all other six teams have reached at least semifinal. Five teams reached the finals (except Cricket Club of Indianapolis) and four teams won the finals (Fort Wayne was finalist in 2001).
Indiana teams have won MCT championships.
2002 Indianapolis based Bouncer XI (2002-2003) – Captain, Jatin Patel
2007 Purdue University CC (2001 – 2010) – Captain, Vijay Parmeshwaran
2012 Columbus Indiana Cricket Club (since 2001) – Captain, Abishek Muralidharan), Also 2011 & 2014 finalist.
2014 Columbus Indiana Cricket Club-2 (2011-2014) – Captain, Varun Sood
