THE Bench prevailed over the Bar in a keenly-contested battle that was fought --- far away from the courtrooms --- on a cricket pitch at the picturesque Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) ground in Civil Lines on Sunday. With a star-studded line-up of legal luminaries on both sides it was, in many ways, the cricket season’s finale. The exhibition T20 match was graced by former Chief Justice of India, Justice Sharad Arvind Bobde. Justice Bobde (Retd), who opened the innings for Team Bench, recalled his earlier days and congratulated the High Court Bar Association, Nagpur, which is celebrating its Centenary year, for organising the event. Earlier, VCA President Justice Vinay Deshpande (former judge of the Bombay High Court), welcomed Justice Bobde with a bouquet. The exhibition match, which was played in the true spirit of sportsmanship, was won by the Team Bench by six wickets.

 

The chief architect of Team Bench’s victory was a fabulous all-round show by their captain Justice Dipankar Datta, former Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court. Justice Datta struck an unbeaten 63 to help his team chase down Team Bar’s tally of 120-5 with six overs to spare. Justice Datta, who opened the innings with Justice Bobde (12), added 40 runs for the first wicket in only 4.3 overs. In the course of his 34-ball knock, Justice Datta hit 11 boundaries. He also shared another 40-run partnership with Justice Prasanna Varale (16) to virtually seal the deal for Team Bench. Earlier, Justice Datta opened the bowling for his team and conceded just 19 runs in his four overs, picking up one wicket. He was later adjudged the Player of the Match.

 

Team Bar inning lacked momentum as they scraped together 120 runs for the loss of five wickets after they were asked to bat first in overcast conditions. Adv Sudhir Voditel top-scored with 51 off 32 balls. HCBA President Adv Atul Pande and Secretary Adv Amol Jaltare were prominently present on the occasion. BRIEF SCORES Team Bar: 102-5 in 20 overs (Adv Sudhir Voditel 51, Adv Ajay Ghare 37, Adv Pratik Puri 33; Justice Shivakumar Dighe 2-19, Justice Dipankar Datta 1-19) lost to Team Bench: 124-4 in 14 overs (Justice Dipankar Datta 63 no.; Adv Anand Deshpande 2-24) by 6 wickets.