Srinagar, Dec 15: The National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar on Sunday won the All-India Inter-NIT Faculty & Staff Cricket Tournament 2025, defeating NIT Hamirpur by 10 runs in the final played at the MANIT Sports Complex, Bhopal. With this victory, NIT Srinagar clinched the title for the third time.
The four-day tournament, held from December 11 to 14, was hosted by Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology (MANIT), Bhopal, and featured participation from 24 NITs across the country.
Winning the toss, NIT Srinagar opted to bat first and posted a competitive 129 runs for 9 wickets in 15 overs. The innings was built on steady contributions from the middle order, with Faisal Irshad and Dr. Pankaj Kumar scoring 22 runs each.
Shahid Hamid added a vital 19 runs, while Sohail Ahmad Baba chipped in with 16 runs, helping the team reach a defendable total on a challenging pitch.
In response, NIT Hamirpur fought hard but fell short, managing 119 runs for 7 wickets in their allotted 15 overs. Neeraj Dhiman (WK) anchored the chase with a well-crafted 49 runs, supported by Aman Kumar (26) and Surender Kumar Soni (Captain), who scored 16 runs. However, disciplined bowling by NIT Srinagar ensured that the target remained out of reach.
The bowling attack was led by Tanveer Hussain, who produced a match-winning spell, claiming two crucial wickets in three overs at a decisive stage of the game.
Mudasir Qadir and Shahid Hamid picked up one wicket each, while tight fielding and smart game awareness played a key role in restricting the opposition. For his exceptional all-round performance, Tanveer Hussain was declared the Man of the Match.
Dr. Syed Mohsin Shabir played a crucial role in NIT Srinagar’s title-winning campaign with his incisive bowling, consistently applying pressure on opposition batters.
Leading the pace attack, he delivered disciplined spells, maintaining tight lines and lengths that curtailed the scoring rate and forced mistakes.
Dr. Mohsin’s ability to extract movement and bounce proved vital in restricting teams to modest totals during key matches of the tournament. His economy and accuracy were instrumental in keeping opposition run-scoring in check.
The trophy was formally presented to NIT Srinagar by Prof. Karunesh Kumar Shukla, Director, MANIT, Bhopal, along with Dr. Alka Bharat, Dean, Faculty Welfare, during the closing ceremony.
Both dignitaries praised NIT Srinagar for its consistent performance, sportsmanship, and team spirit throughout the All India Inter-NIT Faculty & Staff Cricket Tournament 2025.
Dr. Milind Pralhad Kamble, Chairman of Board of Governors (BoG), NIT Srinagar, praised the accomplishment and extended his congratulations to the entire team for upholding the values of discipline and teamwork.
Director NIT Srinagar, Prof. Binod Kumar Kanaujia, congratulated the team, calling the victory a matter of immense pride for the institute.
“This triumph reflects not only the sporting talent within our institution but also the determination, discipline, and teamwork of our faculty and staff. Such achievements significantly enhance the institute’s reputation and promote a culture of excellence beyond academics,” he said.
Registrar NIT Srinagar, Prof. Atikur Rehman, also lauded the players. He stated that the team has brought great honour to NIT Srinagar.
“Their unity, perseverance, and sportsmanship are exemplary. The institute remains committed to encouraging sports and holistic development among its faculty and staff,” he said.
The 15-member NIT Srinagar squad included Dr. Shakeel Waseem (C), Faisal Irshad Ganai (vc), Sohail Baba (wk), Dr Tanveer Rasool, Dr Malik Parvaiz, Dr Manoj Kumar, Dr Pankaj Kumar, Dr Ved Prakash, Dr Syed Mohsin Shabir, Mr Shahid Hamid, Mr. Basarat Bashir, Aaqib Jan, Mr. Tanveer Hussain, Mr. Towheed Hussain, and Mudasir Qadir.
The team was accompanied by Security Officer Mr. Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat, Abdul Hamid, and other officials.
The players dedicated the victory to the entire NIT Srinagar community and expressed heartfelt gratitude to MNIT Bhopal for its excellent arrangements and warm hospitality, which ensured the successful conduct of the prestigious tournament.
Earlier in the tournament, NIT Srinagar showcased consistent dominance. In the league stage, played at the Nehru Nagar Police Line Ground, Bhopal, the team registered a commanding 105-run victory over NIT Andhra Pradesh, with Faisal Irshad scoring 56 runs.
In another league encounter, NIT Srinagar defeated NIT Kurukshetra by 63 runs, highlighted by a blistering 80 off 40 balls by Aaqib Jan.
The knockout stages brought further excitement. In the quarterfinal, NIT Srinagar edged past VNIT Nagpur in a dramatic Super Over, after both teams were tied at 88 runs at the end of regulation play.
Under immense pressure, needing 14 runs to win, Aaqib Jan rose brilliantly, hitting two crisp fours and a powerful six in just three balls, bringing his team to a thrilling Super Over victory and keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
The team then carried its momentum into the semifinal, defeating NIT Jalandhar by 25 runs to book a place in the final.
