Dominant Performances Light Up Day Two of Patiala’s Youth Cricket Extravaganza
Patiala, December 31 (Sports Desk)
The 13th Little Champ Cup Tournament roared into action with two thrilling league-stage encounters on Wednesday, showcasing the raw talent and fierce spirit of Punjab’s budding cricketers. In Pool A at the Indian Army Ground, District Cricket Association Moga delivered a clinical demolition of Dhruv Pandove Cricket Academy Patiala, while over at YPS Ground, Believer Cricket Academy Patiala wrapped up a comfortable chase against Black Elephant Cricket Club (B).
Moga’s Batting Firepower Overwhelms Pandove Academy
Electing to bat first under overcast skies, Moga’s batsmen unleashed a barrage to post a formidable 263/6 in just 35 overs. Opener Mankirat Taji anchored the innings with a classy 75, while Lovjot Singh’s aggressive 52 set the tone early. Nischay Dev (39) and Paranjot (23) provided valuable support in the middle order, ensuring momentum never waned.
Pandove Academy’s bowlers fought valiantly but leaked runs steadily. Harmehar claimed 2/18 to offer some resistance, with Karan Gupta (1/35) and Rajanveer (1/47) picking up a wicket apiece.
watch…Excitement Builds for 13th Little Champ Cup in Patiala
Chasing a mountain of 264, Dhruv Pandove Academy crumbled under pressure, folding for a mere 116 all out in 32.1 overs—a whopping 147-run thrashing. Abhay top-scored with 24, backed by Samarth (21) and Karan Gupta (19), but the middle order imploded spectacularly.
Moga’s bowlers were relentless: Novjot Singh’s 3/14 tore through the top order, while Player of the Match Mankirat Taji (3/15) struck crucial blows. Ayush wrapped up the innings with 2/9, sealing a dominant victory that catapults Moga to the top of Pool A.
Brief Scores: District Cricket Association Moga 263/6 in 35 overs (Mankirat Taji 75, Lovjot Singh 52, Nischay Dev 39, Paranjot 23; Harmehar 2/18, Karan Gupta 1/35, Rajanveer 1/47) beat Dhruv Pandove Cricket Academy Patiala 116 all out in 32.1 overs (Abhay 24, Samarth 21, Karan Gupta 19; Novjot 3/14, Mankirat Taji 3/15, Ayush 2/9) by 147 runs. Player of the Match: Mankirat Taji (Moga).
Believer Academy Seal Seven-Wicket Romp at YPS
In the second clash at YPS Patiala Ground, Black Elephant Cricket Club (B) struggled on a tricky pitch, managing only 110/7 in their 35 overs. Ansuman Pawa’s gritty 66 was the lone bright spot, with Adwatya chipping in 18 down the order.
Believer’s attack was incisive: Karan snared 3/24 to dismantle the middle, while Gurshant Sandhu’s miserly 2/8 strangled the scoring rate.
Needing just 111 for victory, Believer Cricket Academy made light work of the target, reaching 113/3 in a mere 24 overs for a seven-wicket triumph. Unbeaten contributions from Manish Raw (17*) and Karan (13*) steadied the chase after early jitters, with the side’s top order laying a solid platform.
Black Elephant’s bowlers tried hard—Ansuman (1/12), Dhruv (1/16), and Aryan (1/11)—but couldn’t stem the flow.
Brief Scores: Black Elephant Cricket Club (B) 110/7 in 35 overs (Ansuman Pawa 66, Adwatya 18; Karan 3/24, Gurshant Sandhu 2/8) lost to Believer Cricket Academy Patiala 113/3 in 24 overs (Manish Raw 17*, Karan 13*; Ansuman 1/12, Dhruv 1/16, Aryan 1/11) by 7 wickets.
With these results, the tournament heats up as teams jostle for semifinal spots. Youngsters from across Punjab continue to dazzle, promising more edge-of-the-seat action in the days ahead.
