Punit Balan Group to Organise Fourth Season of ‘Friendship Cup’ 2025 Cricket Championship from March 4
Pune, 3rd March 2025: Punit Balan Group (PBG) has organised the Fourth Season of the Friendship Cup Cricket Championship 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, with 24 teams competing for the title.
Giving details about the tournament, PBG Director Punit Balan 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, making the competition even more exciting.”
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, and Vishrambaug Mitra Mandal, other participants include Mahalaxmi Mandir Trust, Suryoday Pratishthan Navratra mandals, and Dhol-Tasha pathaks like Yuva Vadya, Shriram, Shivmudra, Nadbrahma Sarvavadak, Samarth, Ramanbaug, Nadbrahma Trust, Gajar, NuMaVi, and Shivtej.
Matches will be played at LR Shinde High School Ground in Sahakar Nagar. Out of the 24 teams, eight will advance to the final round, followed by chain matches.
The 24 invitee teams include:
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.
The winning team will receive a cash prize of ₹2.11 lakh and a cup, while the runner-up will get ₹1.11 lakh and a cup. Additionally, individual awards will be given, including:
Man of the Series: ₹51,000 cash + an electric bike
Fair Play Award: ₹25,000 cash
Best Batsman, Bowler, Wicketkeeper, and Fielder: ₹11,000 cash + a memento each
Man of the Match (each game): ₹5,000 cash
Sai Power Hitters won the 2024 championship, while Shivmudra Blasters finished as runner-up.
