Meerut Spartans clinch Future Star U-15 C'ship crown with 9 wicket win in final
Ghaziabad, July 2
DDH Meerut Spartans clinched the Future Star Under-15 Championship title after defeating Karim Capital Chargers by nine wickets in the final at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Wednesday. They successfully chased down the target of 108 with more than three overs remaining.
The Chargers, put in to bat, never settled. Arjun Mishra top-scored with 27 and Eklavya struck a late 22, but the innings came apart against Prakhar Vishnoi, who took four for 33 and had two batters stumped down the leg side. Ashwin Mavi and Avi Kumar picked up two wickets each as the Chargers were bowled out for 107 with three balls still unused.
Meerut Spartans lost opener Atharv Sharma for 13, caught and bowled by Arav Patel, but that was the last time the Chargers threatened. Haryaksh and Ansh Mittal saw off the rest of the chase together, Haryaksh finishing unbeaten on 57 off 56 balls with three sixes, and Mittal not out on 31, as the target came down without further trouble.
Karim Capital Chargers 107 all out in 19.3 overs (Arjun Mishra 27, Eklavya 22, Aaditya 16; Prakhar Vishnoi 4/33, Ashwin Mavi 2/10, Avi Kumar 2/17) lost to DDH Meerut Spartans 108/1 in 16.3 overs (Haryaksh 57 not out, Ansh Mittal 31 not out) by nine wickets. Prakhar Vishnoi was named Player of the Match.
"This is exactly what we set out to build, a stage where a fifteen-year-old can bowl a spell like Prakhar's in front of a live audience and know it counts," said Subhash Rajput of Red Rock, who organised the tournament. "Meerut Spartans were the most complete side across the eight days, and both finalists have earned every bit of what they take home from this."
The championship, backed by the Krishna Apra Group, ran across eight days.
For most of the boys, it was the first time their cricket had reached an audience beyond the boundary. The tournament also carried the support of Aakash Chopra and Parthiv Patel, whose involvement gave the age group a level of attention it rarely gets.
The format did the rest. Group games, knockouts and a final with a title on the line put the Under-15 sides through a proper tournament rather than a one-off weekend, and the standard rose with it. Karim Capital Chargers came through a full bracket to reach the final, and Meerut Spartans leave Ghaziabad as champions, with match figures and a streamed final that will travel with both squads into the next age group. For a group of fifteen-year-olds, that is the part that lasts.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Nice to see grassroots cricket getting organized properly. Running an eight-day tournament with group stages and knockouts for U-15s is a smart move - it gives these kids real match experience, not just a weekend gig. The streaming part is crucial too; lets parents and scouts actually see the games. Well done to all involved.
Honestly, I'm just happy to see Meerut on the map for cricket again. UP ke bahar se log often forget how much talent flows from here. Yes, it's U-15 cricket, but building a proper tournament structure with live audience and streaming is a game changer. One suggestion though - please make the streaming more accessible for local communities. Not everyone has high-speed internet. Overall, fantastic effort by Red Rock and Krishna Apra Group. 🇮🇳🏏
Match figures - 107 all out in 19.3 overs, target chased in 16.3 overs. That's dominance! Haryaksh took charge and Ansh Mittal supported perfectly. But let's not miss the bowlers - Ashwin Mavi and Avi Kumar with 2 wickets each. Meerut Spartans look like a well-oiled machine at this age level. If they get proper coaching and facilities, some of these boys might be playing for India in 10 years. BCCI should take note of such local tournaments. 👌
This is such a wholesome story. As someone who follows junior cricket, this kind of exposure is priceless. It says a lot that the tournament ran for eight days - that's serious commitment from organizers. And having ex-cricketers like Aakash Chopra and Parthiv Patel backing it gives these kids something to aspire to. The 15-year-olds will remember this final for years. Loved the line about it being their first time reaching an audience beyond the boundary.
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