Nagchala Balh Eleven Crowned Champions of Raja Hari Sen Memorial Cricket Tournament 2026 After Thrilling Final Win Over Ghata Eleven.
Shimla:
In a high-energy and closely contested final, Nagchala Balh Eleven emerged as champions of the Raja Hari Sen Memorial Cricket Tournament 2026, defeating Ghata Eleven by 27 runs at the MLSM Ground Sundernagar in Sundernagar.
Organized by the District Mandi Cricket Association, the grand finale drew a large crowd of enthusiastic spectators who witnessed an exciting display of cricketing talent and competitive spirit. The tournament concluded with Nagchala Balh Eleven lifting the prestigious title along with a cash prize of Rs. 1 lakh, while the runners-up Ghata Eleven received Rs. 50,000 and a trophy.
Winning the toss, Ghata Eleven opted to bowl first, but the decision did not pay off as Nagchala Balh Eleven delivered a powerful batting performance. Batting first, they posted a commanding total of 201 runs in 20 overs. The highlight of the innings was a brilliant 77-run knock off just 35 balls by Himanshu Thakur, who dominated the opposition bowlers with aggressive stroke play.
In response, Ghata Eleven fought hard but managed only 174 runs in their allotted 20 overs. Skakun played a resilient innings of 64 runs, but the team fell short of the target. On the bowling side, Raghav Bali and Himanshu Thakur picked up three wickets each, playing a crucial role in restricting the opposition.
The match officials included umpires Ojaswi Rana and Chandrakant Thakur, while scoring duties were handled by Ojas Kashyap, ensuring smooth conduct of the game.
The closing ceremony was graced by chief guest Prof. Radhika Chopra, along with several dignitaries including Dr. Suman Kumari Katoch, Principal of MLSM College, former Principal Padam Singh Guleria, and several prominent academicians, sportspersons and social figures.
Individual honours were also awarded for outstanding performances. Gaurav Sharma was named Best Batsman, Jatin Rajput received the Best Bowler award, while Himanshu Bharadwaj was declared both Man of the Match and Player of the Series for his all-round excellence throughout the tournament.
District Mandi Cricket Association President Ajay Rana praised the players for their spirited performances and commended the organizers for successfully conducting the tournament. He emphasized that such competitions provide an important platform for young cricketers to showcase their talent and move towards higher levels of the sport.
The tournament concluded on a celebratory note, highlighting not only competitive cricket but also the growing sporting culture in the region.
