Mandi Under-14 Boys Clinch Historic Cricket Tournament Title.
Dharamshala:
Mandi’s Under-14 cricket team made history by winning their first-ever Under-14 cricket tournament, organized by the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association. The tournament, which began on December 24, saw 12 teams competing in three pools, with the top two from each pool advancing to the quarterfinals. Despite a rocky start in the league stage, Mandi fought hard to secure a spot in the quarterfinals, eventually progressing all the way to the final.
Mandi’s journey was anything but easy. After struggling in their league matches, they finished 7th, qualifying for the quarterfinals against Solan. A thrilling encounter saw Mandi win on a first-innings lead, propelling them into the semifinals against Bilaspur. There, they emerged victorious by a commanding 96-run margin, setting up a final clash with Una at the prestigious International Stadium in Dharamshala.
In the final, Una won the toss and chose to bat first. Mandi’s bowlers found themselves under pressure early, as Una’s star bowler, Namish Kalia, dismantled Mandi’s top order, leaving them at a perilous 30 for 5. But captain Aadish Minhas, alongside Vaidushya, fought back, guiding the team to a total of 212. Aadish remained unbeaten on 53, while Vaidushya contributed a vital 45 runs before being dismissed.
On the second day, with rain delays disrupting play, Aadish’s resilient knock stood out, and Mandi’s total of 212 was sufficient for a commanding first-innings lead. Una’s reply was met with early breakthroughs by Aadish, who removed both openers. Despite counterattacks from Anirudh Sharma and Sameer Singh Chauhan, Mandi’s bowlers maintained control. Aadish, with support from his teammates, led the charge, taking critical wickets and dismissing Una for just 155, securing a 57-run lead.
In their second innings, Mandi finished at 46 for 2, thus clinching victory based on their first-innings lead. Captain Aadish Minhas was named Man of the Match for his all-round performance, while Arnav Thakur earned Man of the Series honors for his consistent contributions throughout the tournament.
Coach Manish Gupta and Mandi Cricket Association officials celebrated the team’s remarkable achievement, with Mandi Cricket Association President, Ajay Rana, emphasizing the association’s efforts to promote cricket at the grassroots level.
