Our Sports Bureau
Hyderabad: The 12th edition of the Greenwood Cricket League (GCL) concluded on a high note on Sunday, at the BBC Court, with Smashers emerging as deserving champions after a clinical performance in the final. Boomerangs finished runners-up, while Snipers secured third place, followed by Warriors, Panthers, and Hustlers in the standings.
In the final clash, Smashers comfortably chased down Boomerangs’ modest total of 69/2. Jay Kulkarni top-scored for Boomerangs with a steady 38 off 35 balls, while Siddu added 14. However, it was Medansh’s remarkable bowling spell—claiming 2 wickets for no runs—that stood out. In response, Smashers reached 73/2 in just 10.4 overs, powered by an impressive 48 off 33 balls by Surya Kiran, who was rightfully adjudged Player of the Match in the final.
Earlier, in the third-place playoff, Snipers defeated Warriors in a closely fought contest. Warriors posted 78/1, with Balraju contributing 37 off 35 balls and Gurudeep adding 17. Snipers chased down the target efficiently, scoring 80/1 in 10.4 overs. Ashish led the charge with 36 off 31 balls and earned the Player of the Match award, supported well by Srikanth Dixit and Ravi Prakash.
The tournament also celebrated standout individual performances. Siddu was named Best Batsman and Most Valuable Player for his consistent run-scoring, amassing 185 runs. Medansh’s all-round brilliance earned him the Best Bowler award with 8 wickets, while Surya Kiran’s sharp fielding efforts saw him bag the Best Fielder title.
A special highlight of this edition was the spirited participation of junior players, including Medansh, Rais Sheikh, Virat, Naman, Manav, Surya Gunnu, Himesh, Satwik, Shaswot Sai, Avinash, and Kushal. Despite being around 10 years old, they showcased remarkable skill and confidence, holding their own alongside senior players across all departments.
The league featured 20 matches and 40 innings, producing 2,575 runs, including 177 fours and 146 sixes. A total of 152 wickets fell, along with 32 catches. Jay Kulkarni led the six-hitting charts with 14 maximums, while Balraju topped the boundary count with 19 fours. The tournament also saw strong digital engagement, with 1,688 views recorded on CricHeroes.
Organizers extended their gratitude to all franchise owners for their continued support, which played a crucial role in the successful conduct of Editions 11 and 12, making the GCL a vibrant platform for grassroots cricket.
