Silchar U-16 team creates history; defeats Guwahati in inter-district final  

Silchar under 16 district team defeated Guwahati to lift R G Baruah Inter-District trophy.

Coach Tathagata Debroy and manager Soumitra Biswas’ Under 16 team led from the front by Prashant Kumar created history in Khirod Baruah Stadium, Morigaon.

In the two-day match, Silchar batted first and scored 296 runs. Opener Niloy Deb scored a handy 40 while the skipper anchored the innings with his 86 runs of 72 balls innings. However, the lower order batsmen made the difference for Silchar. Anurag Sinha scored 55 and he was supported by Sudip Sinha (30) and Biki Roy (29).

In two-day (four innings) cricket, if the match ends as a draw, the team with first-innings lead is adjudged as the winner. So, it was important for Silchar to ensure they bundle out Guwahati for less than 296 runs. Biki Roy gave Silchar the perfect start. With his outstanding bowling, he managed to send the top three Guwahati batsman back to the pavilion with less than 20 on the board.

Guwahati never managed to get their innings back on track and they were all out for 137. Biki Roy and Vivek Yadav both picked up three wickets each and Anurag Sinha pitched in with one, three other Guwahati batsman ran themselves out.

Silchar went to bat again, Abhay Deb (66) and Niloy (24) gave Silchar a good start and Mr. consistent Prashant Kumar again held the innings together with a quickfire 66 of 38 deliveries. Biki Roy got a promotion in the batting order in the second innings and scored 57 of 50 deliveries. Roy’s all-round performance won him the man of the match award in the historic final.

The win from the under 16 team got a sense of excitement back in Barak Valley. Former cricketer and founder and general secretary of Friends Of The Earth NGO, Masoom Ahmed congratulated the team. He posted on Facebook, “History Created by U-16 Silchar District Cricket team.. Yes Silchar team has won the final match against Guwahati..Many many Congratulations to team U-16 District Silchar .. First time ever.. special thanks to Coach, Manager, Captain & entire team members..U-16 R.G. BARUAH INTER DISTRICT CRICKET TOURNAMENT CHAMPION SILCHAR TEAM.. year..2020.. Hip Hip Hurrey..”

Veteran journalist Anirban Jyoti Gupta too congratulated the team on Social Media. He wrote, “Congratulations U16 Silchar Cricket Team For Winning The Inter-District R G Barua Tournament. History Created.”