Jammu April 6 : The vibrant spirit of cricket lit up the region today as the inaugural Jambu Lochan T20 Cricket Tournament got underway at MA Stadium, marking a significant step forward in promoting sports and community engagement in the Union Territory.

The tournament was formally inaugurated by Jammu and Kashmir Masters Games Association President Ranjit Singh Chib, who unveiled the tournament trophy in the presence of distinguished officials and sports enthusiasts. Among those present were Secretary General Neete Kaur, Treasurer Romesh Sharma, and other key members including Som Raj Gupta, Kuljeet Singh, Mamta Bajaj, Sanjay Puri, Prabal Sharma, and Rameshwar Singh Manhas.
Organised by the JKMGA, the championship has successfully brought together seasoned and emerging cricketers from across Jammu and Kashmir. Ten competitive teams are participating, reflecting the growing depth of cricketing talent in the region. These include Mulan Sports Club led by Rahul Mulan, Shine Star Warriors under Eshant Sharma, Rehari Kings XI captained by Rohit Gupta, Tantray Sports Club led by Mohd Arif Tantray, Hunter Cricket Team under Vikas Charak, Tiger Eleven led by Daljeet Singh, Apex Cricket Club captained by Arun Sharma, Gentle Giants under Vishwajeet Singh, Green Star Bhaderwah led by Adil Gafoor Ganie, and Mavericks Cricket Club captained by Sami Ullah Malik.
Ensuring professionalism and fair play, matches are being officiated by experienced umpires Harsh Nayyar and Deepak Gupta (Lucky), with Surinder Kumar serving as the official scorer.
The tournament also carries attractive rewards, with the winning team set to receive ₹1,00,000 along with the trophy, while the runners-up will be awarded ₹50,000. Individual excellence will also be recognized, as the “Man of the Series” will earn ₹5,000, and “Man of the Match” performers and members of the winning team will receive special souvenirs.
Delivering the vote of thanks, Mamta Bajaj expressed heartfelt appreciation to the chief guest, participating teams, sponsors, and supporters for making the event possible and fostering a positive sporting culture.
The opening match set an exciting tone for the tournament. Hunter Cricket Club, after winning the toss, elected to bat first but were restricted to 89 runs in 20 overs. Adatiya Katoch emerged as the top scorer with a brisk 25 runs off 17 balls, including two boundaries and two towering sixes. Rahul Jamwal delivered an outstanding bowling performance for Mulan Cricket Club, claiming 4 wickets for just 9 runs.
Chasing a modest target of 90, Mulan Cricket Club displayed dominance, securing victory with only three wickets down. Akash Choudhary starred with an explosive 58 runs off just 22 deliveries, guiding his team to a comfortable win. Rahul Jamwal’s all-round brilliance earned him the well-deserved “Man of the Match” award.
With an energetic start and enthusiastic participation, the tournament promises thrilling encounters ahead while strengthening the sporting fabric of Jammu and Kashmir.