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Bengal T20 Challenge final a spectacle to remember
Even in the midst of a pandemic, the final of the Bengal T20 Challenge at the historic Eden Gardens was an evening filled with music, fun, warmth and protocols of the new normal.
The successful completion of 15 days of cricket juggernaut that saw 33 games played behind closed doors amid strict bio-bubble protocols was signature to Cricket Association of Bengal’s capacity to hold cricket at the highest level here at Eden Gardens even in these uncertain conditions.
For the final, the lower tier of the club house turned into festive mood with blue and yellow ribbons (house colours of CAB) decking up the chairs. A band of men and women dhakis filled the atmosphere with festive spirit, as did the DJ from the B Block with trance music and hoots to build the ambience.
There were no more than 200 odd people sprinkled about in the massive stadium, but the spirit was indomitable as was the competitiveness of the two teams in the final– Mohun Bagan and Tapan Memorial.
The Eden Bell was rung by former Indian cricketer Deep Dasgupta in presence of CAB President Avishek Dalmiya, Hony Secretary Snehasish Ganguly, Treasurer Debashish Ganguly, Joint Secretary Debabrata Das and Senior Tournament Committee Chairman Nitish Ranjan Dutta.
A finale without some musical recital is quite not the trend for any T20 series and Bengal T20 Challenge was no exception. In between the innings singer composer Surajit Chatterjee belted out some of the biggest Bengali chartbusters like Fagunero Mohonai; Lal Paharer Deshe; Barandaye Roddur; Orom takio na and Kande shudu mon.
Tapan Memorial beat Mohun Bagan by 33 runs to win the Challenge. They have been the most consistent team of the meet and deserved winners. Chasing145 for 6, Bagan were bowled out for 112.
The evening finished off with a glittering awards ceremony that was filled with genuine joy and satisfaction of having been able to complete the tournament with such success.
Awards:
Man of the Match: Shahbaz Ahmad of Tapan Memorial
Fair play trophy: East Bengal club
Catch of the Tournament: Amit Kuila of Kalighat
Batsman of the tournament: Anustup Majumdar of Mohun Bagan
Bowler of tournament: Ramesh Prasad of Tapan Memorial
MVP of the tournament : Md Kaif from Town Club
Silver medals and runners-up trophy: Mohun Bagan
Gold medals and winner’s trophy to Tapan Memorial Club
By Ms. Pratyusha Mukherjee, a Senior Journalist working for BBC and other media outlets, also a special contributor to IBG News & IBG NEWS BANGLA. In her illustrated career she has covered many major events.
