Pune: Community Policing Cricket League 2025 Strengthens Citizen–Police Bond; Pune Police Professional Team Lifts Trophy
Shivajinagar, 8th December 2025: The Community Policing Cricket League (CPCL) 2025 — an initiative under the guidance of Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar and Joint CP Ranjan Kumar Sharma aimed at strengthening cooperation, trust, and friendly engagement between citizens and the police — concluded on Sunday at the Police Ground in Shivajinagar after three days of exciting competition.
The tournament was jointly organised by Pune City Police and the Journalist Sumit Singh Memorial Foundation in memory of late journalist Sumit Kumar Singh. Police personnel and citizens teamed up on the field to promote unity through the spirit of cricket.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Himmat Jadhav and Deputy Commissioner of Police (Headquarters) Rajlaxmi Shivankar presented trophies and individual awards to the winning teams and outstanding performers. Co-sponsor Nyati Group’s General Manager (Marketing) Varsha Bhandari and Merchandise Partner Cybage Software’s Vice President (Operations) Jaikrishnan K were also present.
Journalist Sumit Singh Memorial Foundation’s Amit Singh, Mubarak Ansari, Shailendra Singh, Lalit Kumar, Aniket Dhamale and Mohammad Saif were prominently present and facilitated the event proceedings. Senior Journalist Nadim Inamdar and Subedar Sant Kumar Singh (Retd), father of the late journalist, also attended the closing ceremony.
The event was supported by Nyati Group as Co-sponsor, Bajaj General Insurance as Insurance Partner, Cybage Software as Merchandise Partner and Ways as a Support Partner.
DCP Himmat Jadhav’s Statement
DCP (Traffic) Himmat Jadhav said that the initiative reinforces the importance of collaboration between police and society. “This league goes beyond cricket. It builds confidence, strengthens mutual respect and ensures that policing remains rooted in community participation. We are committed to continue such efforts to deepen the bond with citizens,” he said.
DCP Rajlaxmi Shivankar’s Statement
DCP (HQ) Rajlaxmi Shivankar said that the CPCL is an example of how sports can play a meaningful role in public engagement. “Community policing thrives when citizens and the police stand together. The enthusiasm and participation we witnessed reflect a strong foundation of trust in Pune. We aim to engage more sections of society through positive and friendly interactions like this,” she added.
Winners and Top Performers
The tournament was played in knockout format, with matches on Friday and Saturday, while the grand final was held on Sunday.
Awards announced:
Man of the Series: API Amol Pawar
Best Batsman: Rahul Ghorpade
Best Bowler: Prashant Gaikwad
Best Fielder: Rishikesh Jore
Best Captain: API Vikram Misal
Final Man of the Match: API Amol Pawar
Semi-final Man of the Match: Prashant Gaikwad (1st), Amar Salvi (2nd)
Winner: Pune Police Professional Team
Runner-up: Traffic Branch/EOW
Partners Speak on the Initiative
Varsha Bhandari of Nyati Group said the brand believes in community bonding and is proud to stand with Pune Police in this initiative. “Nyati Group is proud to be a co-sponsor of the Community Policing Cricket League (CPCL) 2025 — an initiative that strengthens the bond between the police force and the community. As a brand that values the Puneri culture and values around community building, we believe in supporting initiatives that foster unity, trust, and positive engagement within our city. This association is our way of contributing to a safer and stronger community. We take immense pride in standing alongside the Pune Police in this remarkable effort to build bridges through the spirit of cricket,” she said.
Bajaj General Insurance’s Head of Marketing Vikram Bhayana expressed commitment to social harmony and community well-being through this collaboration. “The tournament brings citizens and police personnel on a shared platform to strengthen relationships beyond conventional boundaries of law enforcement. In a heartening initiative aimed at fostering trust, collaboration, and unity, Bajaj General Insurance joined hands as the official insurance partner for the Community Policing Cricket League. The tournament, which brings together citizens and police personnel on a shared platform, uses the power of cricket to strengthen relationships beyond the conventional boundaries of law enforcement.
As the insurance partner, Bajaj General Insurance underscores its commitment to community well-being and social harmony. The partnership reflects the company’s broader vision of contributing to initiatives that bring society closer together. With Bajaj General Insurance’s support, the Community Policing Cricket League is set to inspire a stronger, safer, and more connected community,” he said.
A representative from Cybage Software highlighted the organisation’s belief in sports as a social unifier. “The Community Policing Cricket League 2025 is a remarkable example of how sports can unite communities and bridge social gaps. The Pune Police, along with the Journalist Sumit Singh Memorial Foundation, have set a strong benchmark through this initiative. Cybage Software is delighted to extend its support to a program that celebrates unity and mutual respect between the police and citizens. As an organisation deeply rooted in social responsibility, we remain committed to building community harmony and contributing to initiatives that create meaningful social impact,” the representative stated.
The CPCL 2025 successfully delivered its message of unity, teamwork, and trust — setting a positive example for citizen-police engagement in Pune.
About Sumit Singh:
Sumit Kumar Singh was a dedicated journalist who played a pivotal role in shaping Punekar News into a leading digital news platform in Pune. As Bureau Chief, he was widely respected for his strong reporting on crime, civic affairs, and public concerns. His extensive network across government departments, police and civic agencies ensured accurate and timely information for citizens. Colleagues often described him as the backbone of the newsroom, a professional who brought both credibility and energy to journalism.
Originally from Deoria district in Uttar Pradesh, Sumit moved to Pune for higher studies and made the city his workplace and home. His sudden demise in August 2024 at the age of 35 due to acute necrotizing pancreatitis left a deep void in the media fraternity. Officials and fellow journalists remembered him as a hardworking reporter committed to public service through the news. His contribution continues to remain an integral part of Punekar News’ identity and growth.
About Nyati Group:
Nyati Group is one of India’s most preferred real estate brands, with over 28 years of engineering excellence in creating landmark developments that define modern living. Headquartered in Pune, the Group has delivered more than 125 projects, covering over 73 million sq. ft. across residential, commercial, IT parks, healthcare, hospitality, and institutional spaces. Known for its unwavering commitment to quality, innovation, and timely delivery, Nyati Group has built a thriving community where more than 15,000 families proudly call themselves part of the Nyati family. With a legacy built on trust and relationships, the Group continues to be the first choice—today, tomorrow, and forever.
About Bajaj General Insurance Limited:
Bajaj General Insurance Limited (formerly known as Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Company Limited) is one of India’s leading, most trusted and dynamic private general insurance companies. It is a subsidiary of Bajaj Finserv Limited, India’s leading and most diversified financial services group.
Bajaj General offers a broad portfolio of innovative and customer-focused insurance solutions, spanning motor, health, and home insurance, along with specialised products such as pet insurance, wedding insurance, event protection, cyber insurance, and rural insurance. From safeguarding your health and home to protecting your travels and life’s most important moments, Bajaj General aims to be a constant partner in your journey. Bajaj General equally offers a comprehensive and a well-diversified range of products, including fire, marine, engineering, liability and surety insurance to corporates and SMEs. The company also participates in various government schemes with a focus on financial inclusion. The company is also known for its robust risk selection capabilities, digital adoption and product innovation.
Established in 2001, the company has grown its footprint to nearly 1,500 towns and cities across India, ensuring easy access and a close connection to its customers. This access is enabled through the largest distribution network, spanning across individual agents, point-of-sales personnel, banks, NBFCs, motor dealers, brokers and the company’s proprietary sales force.
About Cybage Software:
Cybage is an information technology company specializing in outsourced product engineering and IT consulting services. With over three decades of experience, we are a leader in software development, partnering with some of the world’s largest independent software vendors (ISVs) and enterprises. Our team of over 7,500 employees supports more than 250 active clients across diverse sectors, including media, software, travel, retail, healthcare, life sciences, logistics, and FinTech.
