NIT Agartala Stuns Former Quarter-finalist NIT Manipur with Five-Wicket Victory in All India Inter NIT Faculty & Staff Cricket Tournament

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, July 6, 2026

NIT Agartala registered a memorable five-wicket victory over former quarter-finalists NIT Manipur in the prestigious All India Inter NIT Faculty & Staff Cricket Tournament 2026, hosted by NIT Srinagar, marking one of the team's most significant performances in recent years.

The league match was played at Ground No. 2 of the Kashmir University Cricket Ground, where nearly 30 National Institutes of Technology (NITs) from across India are competing. League matches are being conducted simultaneously across eight cricket venues in Srinagar, creating one of the largest sporting gatherings of faculty and staff members within the NIT system.

The victory carried added significance as NIT Manipur, quarter-finalists in the previous edition, entered the tournament as one of the strongest contenders. NIT Agartala, despite suffering an opening defeat against defending champions NIT Srinagar, displayed remarkable resilience to bounce back with an impressive all-round performance.

After winning the toss, NIT Manipur opted to bat first. However, disciplined bowling combined with sharp fielding by NIT Agartala restricted the opposition to 127 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs. Nabajit Sarkar emerged as Manipur's top scorer with 37 runs.

NIT Agartala's bowlers shared the wickets effectively, ensuring the opposition never gained complete control of the innings. Kalyan M. was the standout performer with figures of 2 for 11 in three overs, while Amitesh Bardhan claimed 2 for 17 in four overs. Captain Nabarun Biswas and Jayakumar chipped in with one wicket each.

One of the defining moments of the innings came in the final over when right-arm spinner Manish Pal held his nerve under pressure. Displaying excellent control and accuracy, he conceded just seven runs, preventing NIT Manipur from accelerating during the death overs. His disciplined spell proved crucial in keeping the target within reach.

Equally impressive was NIT Agartala's outstanding fielding display. Captain Nabarun Biswas, Manish Pal, Jayakumar, wicketkeeper Goutam Gupta, Abhishek Koner, and the rest of the squad produced an energetic performance in the field, saving several crucial runs and maintaining relentless pressure on the batting side throughout the innings.

Chasing a target of 128, NIT Agartala approached the task with confidence and composure. The team reached 129 for 5 in 19.1 overs to seal a convincing five-wicket victory.

Dhirendra Kumar Pandey anchored the successful chase with a patient and well-constructed 42 runs, while Kamal Das added a valuable 19. Captain Nabarun Biswas contributed 11 runs before Abhishek Koner remained unbeaten on 11, alongside Goutam Gupta (2 not out), to guide the team across the finish line.

The victory reflected a complete team effort, with players contributing through disciplined bowling, committed fielding, and responsible batting. Under the leadership of Captain Nabarun Biswas, NIT Agartala demonstrated determination, teamwork, and composure against one of the tournament's strongest sides.

Although the team lost its opening fixture to defending champions NIT Srinagar, the victory over NIT Manipur has significantly boosted morale and strengthened hopes of making a deeper run in the tournament.

The tournament itself has received widespread appreciation for its excellent organisation. NIT Srinagar has successfully coordinated league matches across eight venues while ensuring high standards of hospitality, logistics, and sporting facilities for all participating institutions.

NIT Agartala's inspiring performance has also attracted attention in several local newspapers in Kashmir.

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