CENTRAL BANK OF INDIA MARCHES INTO TIMES SHIELD FINAL AFTER 37 YEARS

Mumbai, March 8, 2025 – In a historic turn of events, Central Bank of India powered their way into the
Times Shield final for the first time in 37 years, dismantling Group Satellite in a one-sided semi-final clash.
Asked to bat first, Group Satellite struggled from the outset as Omkar Patil and Smit Patil found immediate
success with tight lines and movement off the seam. The rest of the Central Bank attack followed suit, with
every bowler conceding fewer than 25 runs. Anand Jagtap (3 wickets), Samek Jagtap (3 wickets), and
Shivam Gupta (1 wicket) capitalized on the early breakthroughs, bundling Group Satellite out for a modest
99 in just 27.5 overs.

Chasing 100, Central Bank of India kept things steady, with Smit Patil once again leading from the front—this time
with the bat. He struck a fluent 63* off 52 deliveries, providing the backbone of the innings. Wicketkeeper
Sarvesh Bharadkar (31 off 41) gave solid support in the middle, ensuring there were no major stumbles
along the way.

Speaking about the team’s incredible achievement, Shri. Dayanand Chavan, Sports Secretary, Central
Bank of India, expressed immense pride. “This was an exceptional effort from the team—a truly proud
moment for me. Reaching the finals after 37 years is a testament to the dedication and resilience of our
players. I am immensely grateful for the way they have performed throughout the tournament. Cricket,
without a doubt, has served as a platform to elevate the goodwill of Central Bank of India.

”I am deeply grateful to the higher management of Central Bank of India for their unwavering support and invaluable assistance throughout this journey”

Meanwhile, captain Shashank Vashishtha, who is leading the side for the first time, reflected on the
momentous occasion, “This is a completely new experience for me. Leading this side for the first time and
guiding Central Bank of India to the Times Shield final after 37 long years is an absolute honor. Our journey
so far has been remarkable, but the job isn’t done yet. A greater share of credit goes to Dayanand Sir,
whose unwavering guidance has been a beacon of light for me throughout this journey. Our focus is now on
lifting the championship and etching our names into history within the institution.”

The victory propels Central Bank of India to the Times Shield final for the first time since 1988—a 37-year
wait that has finally ended. As the final beckons, the team will look to maintain the momentum and cap off
this fairytale run with the ultimate championship.