Pune: Punit Balan Group organises Fourth ‘Friendship Trophy’ 2025 Cricket Championship Tournament (Videos)
Rangari Royals, Tulshibaug Tuskers, Suryoday Risers and Ramanbaug Fighters sparkle on inauguration day
Pune: Rangari Royals, Tulshibaug Tuskers, Suryoday Risers and Ramanbaug Fighters defeated their rival teams on the inauguration day of the Fourth Friendship Trophy Cricket Championship Tournament organised by Punit Balan Group (PBG).
The participating teams represent various Ganpati mandals, Navratra mandals and Dhol-Tasha pathaks.
The tournament began at the LR Shinde High School Ground in Sahakar Nagar on Tuesday (February 4). DCP (Zone 1) Sandeep Singh Gill, PBG Director and Friendship Trophy Cricket Championship Tournament’s Main Sponsor Shri Punitdada Balan inaugurated the event.
Akhil Mandai Mandal’s Anna Thorat, Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati Trust’s Sanjeev Javale, Tulshibaug Ganpati Mandal’s Nitin Pandit, along with presidents, members and workers of Ganesh and Navratra mandals and members of Dhol-Tasha pathaks, leading journalists, participating teams, along with their players, were present.
In his introductory speech, PBG Director Punit Balan said, “Presidents, office-bearers and workers do not get even two minutes to relax during Ganeshotsav and the Navratri Festival in Pune due to their dedication and hard work. These festivals are celebrated peacefully due to their tireless efforts. The Friendship Trophy Cricket Championship Tournament is held for such friends.
“Our main purpose behind the competition is getting them together and spending some moments of friendship. There was a demand last year to get more teams involved. Therefore, we included eight new teams in the tournament. Women and girls also participate in various mandals and Dhol-Tasha pathaks. Therefore, we will be happy to organise a cricket tournament for women next year.”
Inaugurating the tournament, Sandeep Singh Gill said, “The Friendship Trophy Cricket Championship Tournament organised by Shri Punitdada Balan is not merely a competition but a mega festival of cricket, in which various Ganesh mandals, Navratra mandals and Dhol-Tasha pathaks’ workers and citizens come together and make new friendship bonds.
“Workers and members of various mandals implement social initiatives throughout the year. They are enriching the lives of citizens by carrying out their social responsibility. I wish them well for their work.”
Tulshibaug Tuskers defeated Kasba Super Kings by seven wickets on the basis of Abhijit Wadekar’s knock. Vishal Mudholkar’s all-round performance saw Rangari Royals easily win against HTM Tigers by 48 runs. An unbeaten knock of 50 runs by Mayur Sakhare helped Suryoday Risers win against Guruji Talim Titans by eight wickets. Ramanbaug Fighters won by 45 runs after Satyapal Pale’s bowling shredded NuMaVi Stallions.
Detailed results: Chain matches
Kasba Super Kings: 66 for 2 in 8 overs (Nachiket Deshpande 51 – Fours: 2, sixes: 6 in 27; Bhushan Dhere 10, Umesh Tambde 1-8) defeated vs. Tulshibaug Tuskers: 67 for 3 in 5.2 overs (Abhijit Wadekar 26, Amit Savale 16 not out, Nitin Pandit 12 not out, Sachin Pai 1-7); Man of the Match – Abhijit Wadekar
Rangari Royals: 126 for 6 in 8 overs (Vishal Mudholkar 54 – fours: 3, sixes: 6 in 15, Nilesh S 31, Samir Bhat 20, Ajinkya Maratkar 2-26) won vs HTM Tigers: 9 for 78 in 8 overs (Atharva A 34, Rigved Shinde 23, Vishal Mudholkar 4-20, Nilesh S 3-10); Man of the Match: Vishal Mudholkar
Guruji Talim Titans: 86 for 4 in 8 overs (Bhavesh S 29, Rohan Shedge 29, Gangadhar Kangne 2-11) defeated vs. Suryoday Risers: 87 for 2 in 5.2 overs (Mayur Sakhare 50 not out – four: 1, sixes: 7 in 13), Vaibhav Avhale 25 – not out, Sunil Phale 1-28); Man of the Match: Mayur Sakhare
Ramanbaug Fighters: 100 for 6 in 8 overs (Samir Panchpor 34, Prajyot Shirodkar 17, Satyajit Pale 16, Pranav Lokhande 2-9) won vs. NuMaVi Stallions: All out for 55 in 5.4 overs (Soma Khandekar 23, Om Bhise 18, Satyajit Pale 5-17, Prajyot Shirodkar 1-3); Man of the Match Satyajit Pale
