Lalit Yadav, Kritagya Singh power Delhi Challengers to Goswami Ganesh Dutt cricket title

Delhi Ranji Trophy team all-rounder Lalit Yadav powered to a century (109 off 65 balls) and stitched a 167-run partnership with Kritagya Singh (99 off 66) to help Delhi Challengers Cricket Club beat Players Cricket Academy in the final of the 49th Goswami Ganesh Dutt Memorial Cricket Tournament 2024.  

Yadav, who plays for Delhi Capitals under Rishabh Pant in the Indian Premier League, turned on the form that saw him return outstanding results in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy.

He hit four sixes and 10 fours to help his side reach an imposing 360 all out in 34.3 overs.

“The match was good, both the teams were very competitive. Last week, we played against them. I knew that it would be high-scoring. We knew that it is a 35-over match and we were thinking of how we’d take it to 350-plus,” said Yadav to the www.thedelhijunction.com after the match.

“We knew it was a batting wicket and we wanted to take it as deep as possible. We kept building on the momentum,” added Yadav.

Sahil Dhull took 4/61 to emerge as the top wicket-taker for Players Cricket Academy.

In response, Players Academy folded for 289 in 31.2 overs. Swastik Chikara (48 off 19), who scored a century in the semis, and skipper Manjeet (78 off 49) added 99 for the first wicket in just 6.5 overs.

It seemed like they would make Delhi Challengers worried. But then after Chikara’s wicket in the seventh over, two quick wickets in the 10th pegged them back.

The team folded for 289 in 31.2 overs.

Kritagya Singh picked 4/64.

Yadav, who scored 245 runs and took six wickets in the GG Dutt to pick the Man of the Tournament Award this year, started the last season very well, taking 18 wickets in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy as Delhi reached the semi-finals. He bowled at an economy rate of four.  

Yadav averaged above 100 and also had a strike rate of 200 in Mushtaq Ali cricket. Delhi struggled in Vijay Hazare and Yadav’s performances weren’t noticeable.

“I am not thinking about my career much. What I am thinking right now is what I can do now. I have to learn from my experiences in how to become a better player and better teammate. It is a journey that continues. It is not in our hand. I am giving my 100%. The rest depends on results,” said the 27-year-old who scored half-centuries in the semi-finals and in the league phase.  

Yadav also had a good time at the Gold Cup in Dehradun where he made 97 and picked four wickets in the final.

“I narrowly missed being the Man of the Tournament there.”

Former India captain and Kolkata Knight Riders coach Gautam Gambhir gave away the prizes. 

Among the guests present at the final were Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) secretary Rajan Manchanda; Pawan Gulati, treasurer of DDCA; international umpire Anil Chaudhary; Sanjay Malik, the CMD of Malik Music Events; Sunjay Jain, who is a socialite; Pawan Monga, president of Ekta Mission; Rinku Nigam, MD of SR Group; and Mukesh Chona, owner of Mr Car. 

Tags : GG Dutt, Cricket, Delhi, Lalit Yadav