BAPS Charities organised a national indoor cricket tournament held simultaneously at Harrow Leisure Centre, The Swaminarayan School, and BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London on Sunday 13 March 2016.
More than 250 participants from various towns and cities across the UK contributed to some high-quality cricket as all 36 teams provided entertainment and healthy competitiveness while fostering tremendous community spirit.
The top two teams in each of the eight groups qualified for the knockout stages of the tournament, from which eight teams progressed safely with no major shocks. The strength and experience of the seeded teams proved too strong for the challengers, with Birmingham A’s shock victory in the group stages over one of the tournament favourites South A catching the eye.
The game of the second round matches was between East London D and South London A. The former were one of the pre-tournament favourites and defending champions, but were eliminated when South London A chased down a formidable score of 106 runs. Another of the pre-tournament favourites, Finchley A, showed their class and power by inflicting a heavy defeat on South East London B.
Following the quarter-final games, four teams remained and each were eager to get their hands on the trophy. But Harrow A defeated APC Lions and Finchley A overcame the challenge from PSM 100, bringing together two of the strongest teams of the tournament to face it off in the final.
A disciplined bowling display from Harrow A restricted Finchley A to a below-par total of 73. Harrow A completed the run chase in style with Devang Patel hitting six sixes in one over! It was truly spectacular viewing for the crowd.
Harrow A were thus duly crowned Yogi Yuva Cup Champions of 2016 – an accolade they deserved for consistent high-quality displays throughout the tournament.
The hugely successful event encouraged youths and adults leading busy lifestyles to engage in exercise and helped develop positive community relations.
Prizes for exceptional individual performances went to Devang Patel (Harrow A) and Arpit Naik (Finchley A) for joint Best Batsmen of the tournament, while Devang Patel (Harrow A) also took home the prize for Best Bowler.
