Ramanbaug Fighters Clinch First Friendship Trophy 2025 Title With 10-Wicket Victory Over Rangari Royals

Ramanbaug Fighters on Sunday (March 9) emerged victorious for the first time in the final of the Fourth ‘Friendship Trophy’ 2025 Cricket Championship Tournament by defeating Rangari Royals by 10 wickets.

The competition was held by Punit Balan Group (PBG) for teams represented by city-based Ganpati mandals, Navratra mandals, and Dhol-Tasha pathaks.

Prajyot Shirodkar scored 60 and Prasad Ghare 42 (not out) for the winning team.

The matches were played at the LR Shinde High School Ground in Sahakar Nagar. Rangari Royals batted first and set a target of 103 runs. Nilesh Salunkhe played a brilliant knock of 63 runs (fours: 7, sixes: 3) for Rangari Royals and was supported by Vishal Mudholkar, who scored 16 runs. Nilesh Salunkhe was declared the Man of the Series.

Chasing the total, Ramanbaug Fighters achieved the target in 7.2 overs without losing a wicket. Prajyot Shirodkar dominated the play by hitting 60 runs in 20 balls, including 6 fours and 4 sixes. He and Prasad Ghare with his 42 runs helped their team win the title easily.

PBG Director and Tournament Sponsor Shri Punitdada Balan, Manikchand Oxyrich Director Janhavi Dhariwal-Balan, and famous Film Actor Akash Thosar distributed the prizes. Presidents of Pune-based Ganpati mandals, Navratra mandals, mandal members, workers, Dhol-Tasha pathak members, honorable representatives of various media houses, participating teams, and their players were present.

The winners, Ramanbaug Fighters, received a cash prize of Rs 2.11 lakh, the trophy, and medals, while the runner-up team, Rangari Royals, received a cash prize of Rs 1.11 lakh, a trophy, and medals. The Man of the Series, Nilesh Salunkhe, won a Rs 51,000 cash prize and an electric bike. Yuva Yoddhas won a Rs 25,000 cash prize as the ‘Fair Play’ award.

Rupak Tubaji was declared the Best Batsman, Satyajit Pale the Best Bowler, Mayuresh Chaskar the Best Wicket Keeper, Vishal Mudholkar the Best Fielder, and Santosh Gaikwad the Best Player above 50. They received Rs 11,000 and a memento each.

Brief scorecard of the Final Match:

Rangari Royals: 103 for 6 in 10 overs (Nilesh Salunkhe 62 – fours: 7, sixes: 3 in 35, Vishal Mudholkar 16, Atharva Hirve 3-2, Prajyot Shirodkar 1-11)
Ramanbaug Fighters: 104 for no loss in 7.2 overs (Prajyot Shirodkar 60 not out – fours: 6, sixes: 4 in 20, Prasad Ghare 42 not out – fours: 3, sixes: 3 in 25)
Man of the Match: Prajyot Shirodkar.

Individual and other prizes:

Man of the Series: Nilesh Salunkhe (scored 151 and took 7 wickets for Rangari Royals)
Best Batsman: Rupak Tubaji (scored 253 runs for Shivmudra Blasters)
Best Bowler: Satyajit Pale (took 10 wickets for Ramanbaug Fighters)
Best Wicket Keeper: Mayuresh Chaskar (Ramanbaug Fighters)
Best Fielder: Vishal Mudholkar (Rangari Royals)
Best Player above 50: Santosh Gaikwad (Gajar Supernovas)
Fair Play Award: Yuva Yoddhas