Punit Balan Group to organise Fourth Season of ‘Friendship Cup’ 2025 Cricket Championship from March 4 !!

24 teams, including Pune City’s Ganpati mandals, Navratra mandals and Dhol-Tasha pathaks will participate !!

Pune: Punit Balan Group (PBG) has organised the Fourth Season of the “Friendship Cup” Cricket Championship tournament for teams represented by city-based Ganpati mandals, Navratra mandals and Dhol-Tasha pathaks.

The tournament will be held from March 4 to 9, 2025. As many as 24 teams will participate in it.

Giving details about the tournament, Mr. Punit Balan, Director of Punit Balan Group said, “This is a novel cricket competition for Ganpati mandals, Navratra mandals and Dhol-Tasha pathaks. “Manikchand Oxyrich” is the sponsor of the event. This is the fourth consecutive season of the competition. Eight new teams have been given the opportunity this year. Hence, there will be a tough competition for the championship.

Besides Pune’s Manache Ganpati Mandals, including Shri Kasba Ganpati Mandal, Shri Tambadi Jogeshwari Mandal, Guruji Talim Mandal, Shri Tulshibaug Ganpati Mandal, Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati Trust, Akhil Mandai Mandal, Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Mandal, Honaji Tarun Mandal, Janardan Pawale Sangh, Sai Ganesh Mandal, Vishrambaug Mitra Mandal will also take part. Moreover, Mahalaxmi Mandir Trust, Suryoday Pratishthan Navratra mandals, along with Yuva Vadya, Shriram, Shivmudra, Nadbrahma Sarvavadak, Samarth, Ramanbaug, Nadbrahma Trust, Gajar, NuMaVi, Shivtej Dhol-Tasha pathaks will also have their cricket teams in the tournament.

Matches will be played on the L.R. Shinde High School Ground in Sahakar Nagar. Out of the 24 teams, eight teams will enter the Knock round followed by the league matches.

As many as 24 invitee teams, including Rangari Royals, Dagdusheth Warriors, Guruji Talim Titans, Mandai Masters, Sai Power Hitters, Jogeshwari Jaguars, Kasba Super Kings, Garud Strikers, Tulshibaug Tuskers, Mahalaxmi Mavericks, Shivmudra Blasters, Nadbrahma Drummers, Shriram Pathak, Nadbrahma Sarvavadak, Yuva Yoddhas, Suryoday Risers, Janardan Giants, NuMaVi Stallions, Bhagat Singh Legends, Vishrambaug Nights, Samarth Challengers, HTM Tigers, Gajar Supernovas and Ramanbaug Fighters will be seen in the action of tournament.

The winning team will get a cash award of Rs 2.11 lakh and a trophy while the runner-up team will get a cash award of Rs 1.11 lakh and a trophy. Also, individual prizes will be given. The Man of the Series winner will get Rs 51,000 cash and an electric bike.

The team winning the ‘Fair Play’ award will get Rs 25,000 cash. Rs 11,000 and a memento each will be given to the best batsman, best bowler, best wicket keeper and best fielder in the tournament. Rs 5,000 cash will be given to each ‘Man of the Match’ title winner.

Sai Power Hitters won the championship in 2024 while Shivmudra Blasters was the runner-up team.