In the India leg of Red Bull Campus Cricket 2015, Shradhanand College, Delhi (95/2) beat DAV College, Jalandhar (94/8) in the final battle to secure a spot in the World Finals to be contested in Dehradun from October 19. The India finals of the tournament were held from Oct 9-11, at Jamia Milia Sports Complex, and started with 8 college teams from across the four different zones in the qualifier round on Day 1.
Playing to their tournament plan of fielding first, Delhi won the toss and had no qualms about inviting Jalandhar to bat. It paid off as they got a wicket in the 2nd over. DAV College, Jalandhar set a target of 95 for Shradhanand College, Delhi to chase. Man-of-the-match Harshit Kaushik (4-20) ripped through the Jalandhar middle-order, as only three batsmen were able to reach double figures.
Player of the India Finals Jitesh Saroha (22 runs, 30 balls, 3 fours)
Best Batsman of India Finals: Himanshu Sharma (DAV College, Jalandhar), 111 runs
Best Bowler of India Finals: Harshit Kaushik (Shradhanand College, Delhi), 7 wickets
Best Fielder of India Finals: Lalit Yadav (Shradhanand College, Delhi)
Player of India Finals: Jitesh Saroha (Shradhanand College, Delhi), 98 runs, 4
Shradhanand College will have their task cut out as they represent India on the big stage. They will take on University of Technology, Sydney (Australia), Loughborough MCC University (England), Government Jinnah College (Pakistan), European University of Bangladesh (Bangladesh), International College of Business and Technology (Sri Lanka) and Heriot Watt University (UAE).
Red Bull Campus Cricket is a global T20 cricket tournament for university cricket teams, serving as an international platform for young and budding cricketers to showcase their talent and hone their skills. The World Finals of the championship is now in its fourth year. The respective teams have each won national qualifiers to represent their countries at the world finals.
India's latest test star KL Rahul and Karun Nair have been a part of the tournament in their formative years in domestic cricket. Through the years Red Bull Campus Cricket has identified and applauded star players like Jaskaran Singh Sohi, R Samarth, Ratan Singh, and many others. Legendary cricketers Wasim Akram, ace fast bowler Stuart Broad, Sri Lankan test vice-captain Lahiru Thirimanne and Indian pacer Varun Aaron have supported the initiative and have been associated with the tournament in their home countries.