GenX CC won the TCC Taped Ball Professional League Spring 2016 tournament defeating Houston Titans by four wickets in a nail biting thriller game. It was a well-deserved win for GenX CC who have been playing TCC tournament from past 2.5 years and made it to the play offs for the first time and made it all the way. Houston Titans played TCC tournament for the first time and had a great tournament making it to the finals on debut. The Professional League tournament was a highly competitive one featuring 9 participating teams from Divn 2.

On a beautiful Saturday morning, GenX won the toss and opted to field first considering the wet conditions of pitch and outfield. GenX bowlers used the nippy conditions well and took 6 wickets in first 10 overs where Houston Titans scored 55 runs before going to the drinks break. As the pitch and the field dried gradually, batting became easier. Houston Titans came back with sensible batting by rotating the strike and sending few bad balls to the boundaries. After early loss of wickets, Venu (19) and Vaibhav (27 not out) fought well to give a decent score to defend. Pradeep from GenX bowled an excellent spell (4-0-17-4) making it difficult for Houston Arrows to score runs. Sujith who bowled his 4 overs spell (4-0-18-1) after the break gave little chance for the batsmen to score runs in final overs. Right from the onset of the game, Houston Titans maintained around 6 run rate and GenX succeeded in restricting the run rate below 6 in final overs. At the end of 20 overs, Houston Titans were all out scoring 117 runs. For Houston Titans, Vaibhav scored 27 runs, and was well supported by Venu (19), Akshay (14), Sai (13) and Vikas (11). For GenX, Pradeep was the best bowler taking 4 wickets and was well supported by Sujith, Naveen, Ramsai and Subbu who took 1 wicket each.

At the end of the first innings, GenX had an upper hand as 118 seemed to achievable on a dried up pitch and outfield. Houston Titans had different ideas, bowled a tight line and backed it up good fielding and made GenX to fight for each run. Though GenX didn’t lose early wickets, disciplined bowling from Houston Titans kept GenX at 45 runs with loss of 1 wicket by the drinks break at 10 overs. Sujith and Vasu opened the innings for GenX and gave a decent start till Vasu got out for 9 runs. After Vasu departed, Rajesh played a defensive innings not to give quick wickets due to the good bowling and put the pressure on next batsmen to chase in final. Sujith and Rajesh took the innings till the drinks break without losing the wickets. As the asking run rate climbed to approximately 7 runs per over, Sujith and Rajesh tried to accelerate the innings and Rajesh got out to Kaushal for 12 runs. After few minutes, Sujith got retired. Naveen played a quick-fire cameo of 20 runs with 2 huge sixers to give the requirement momentum to GenX. After scoring 20 quick runs, Naveen got bowled to Kaushal. At the end of 15th over and loss of two more wickets, Sujith returned to the crease with 33 runs required from 5 overs. Last 5 overs was a real battle between Titans bowlers and GenX batsmen with going being neck to neck for the trophy. It was 30 from 4 overs, 23 from 3 overs, 14 from 2 overs and 8 runs required from the final over. At 4 required from 3 balls, Pavan hit the no-ball to the boundary giving GenX the first trophy. Sujith, who also scored fifty in semifinals, stayed not out with 55 runs. Kaushal bowled great with 4 wickets and also took two good catches in deep. The game had high quality umpiring from Rattlers and Spartans teams.

The game was followed by a well-organized prize distribution ceremony arranged by TCC. TCC Senior member Roshan Ngangom graced the occasion as chief guest. He was felicitated by the tournament organizer Jagadish Biradar with a plaque from TCC for his contribution and support to cricket in Houston. Jagadish Biradar coordinated the presentation ceremony.

Chief Guest Mr. Roshan Ngangom felicitated by TCC Taped Ball Organizer Jagadish Biradar

Rajesh Kopparthi, the captain of GenX cricket club was presented with the championship trophy and Venu Milkuri, the captain of Houston Titans was presented with the runners up trophy. Man of the match for the finals was Pradeep Voona from GenX for his crucial 4 wickets.

Winners Genx with Chief Guest Mr. Roshan Ngangom

Runners up Houston Titans with Chief Guest Mr. Roshan Ngangom

Sujith Pasupuleti from GenX won the Best Batsman trophy with 225 runs and Best Allrounder trophy with 225 runs and 8 wickets. Nitesh Kosuri from Rangers team won the Best Bowler trophy with 15 wickets. Sujith from GenX and Vaibhav from Houston Titans were presented with Man of the Match for semifinals.

Best Batsman – Sujith from GenX for 225 runs