Pune Division Storms into Finals of Central Railway Officers’ Sports Meet; Defeats Bhusaval by 8 Wickets
Reported By Amit Singh
Pune, 04th January 2026: Led by DRM Rajesh Kumar Verma, the Pune Division cricket team secured a decisive victory against the Bhusaval Division in the first semi-final of the Cricket League at the Central Railway Officers’ Sports & Cultural Meet 2026. Playing at the Parel Ground on Sunday, Pune Division chased down a target of 175 with dominance, winning by 8 wickets with 4.3 overs to spare.
The match began with Pune Division winning the toss and opting to field. The decision paid dividends early as the bowling unit restricted Bhusaval to 174/9 in their allotted 20 overs. Pratik Titre was the pick of the bowlers for Pune, claiming 3 wickets for just 11 runs. He was ably supported by DRM Rajesh Kumar Verma, who took 2 wickets for 16 runs, and Tejas Ranjalkar, who chipped in with 1 wicket.
Despite the regular fall of wickets, Bhusaval Division posted a competitive total thanks to a resilient unbeaten knock by Anil Kumar. Kumar anchored the innings with 84 runs off 50 balls, an innings studded with 8 boundaries and 5 sixes. Shubham contributed 23 runs, while Sanjesh added 18 to the scoreboard.
In reply, the Pune Division batsmen made light work of the chase, reaching 178/2 in just 15.3 overs. Prabhat Kumar spearheaded the assault with an unbeaten 57 off 29 balls, striking at a rate of nearly 196.6. Pratik Titre showcased his all-round capabilities, remaining not out on 40 off 27 balls. Openers Piyush Kumbhar (32 retired hurt) and Rajesh Meena (30) provided a solid foundation, ensuring the team stayed ahead of the required run rate throughout the innings.
Speaking on the occasion, PRO Hemant Kumar Behera said, “The match was marked by high energy and enthusiasm, reflecting the true sporting spirit of the officers. This event continues to serve as a vibrant platform, bringing members of the organisation together in a spirited celebration of fitness, teamwork, and unity.”
With this commanding performance, Pune Division has booked their spot in the finale of the 2026 Meet. The tournament continues to see strong participation from officers and families across the Central Railway network.
