Jharkhand: CM XI triumphs over Speaker XI in friendly cricket match

Mail News Service

Ranchi, Mar 26:

In an exciting cricket match held at the JSCA International Stadium, Ranchi, Chief Minister XI defeated Speaker XI in a friendly yet competitive encounter. The match, played after the conclusion of the day’s Assembly proceedings, witnessed several thrilling moments, including a dramatic “revenge dismissal” by Chief Minister Hemant Soren against Jairam Mahto.

Batting first, Chief Minister XI set a target of 105 runs, scoring 103 runs in their innings. Irfan Ansari was the top scorer with 23 runs, while Anup Singh contributed 17 runs and Pradeep Yadav scored 13 runs. Chief Minister Hemant Soren added 9 runs to the total. Despite some strong bowling performances from Speaker XI, CM XI managed to set a challenging total.

When Speaker XI came in to chase the target, they struggled to gain momentum. One of the most exciting moments of the match came when Jairam Mahto, who had earlier dismissed CM Hemant Soren, was bowled out by the Chief Minister himself as soon as he arrived at the crease. Speaker XI ultimately fell short of the target, sealing the victory for Chief Minister XI.

The match saw enthusiastic participation from ministers and Assembly members, fostering a sense of camaraderie and sportsmanship. Chief Minister XI was led by Hemant Soren, with Pradeep Yadav as the vice-captain. The team also included Kumar Jayamangal Singh, Irfan Ansari, Vikas Munda, Amit Mahato, Alok Soren, Arup Chatterjee, Rajesh Kachhap, Sanjeev Sardar, Bhushan Bada, Dashrath Gagrai, Sameer Mohanty and Jagat Manjhi. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Radhakrishna Kishore served as the team manager.

Speaker XI was captained by Assembly Speaker Ravindra Nath Mahto, with CP Singh as the team manager. The team featured Naveen Jaiswal, Alok Chaurasia, Raj Sinha, Amit Yadav, Kumar Ujjwal, Shatrughan Mahato, Prakash Ram, Pradeep Prasad, Jairam Mahto, Nirmal Mahto, Kushwaha Shashibhushan Mehta, Roshan Lal Chaudhary, Satyendranath Tiwari, Janardan Paswan and Saryu Roy.

The match, played in a spirit of camaraderie and friendly competition, showcased the lighter side of politics, where leaders engaged in healthy rivalry beyond the Assembly floor. The tradition of the Chief Minister XI vs. Speaker XI cricket match continues to be a celebrated event, highlighting the unifying power of sports.  (w/nkm)