Oriental Insurance to meet NIA in opening encounter

Mumbai: Hosts Oriental Insurance Sports Club will clash with New India Assurance in the opening Elite Category Group-A match of the 10^th Insurance Shield T20 Inter-Office Cricket Tournament, organized by Oriental Insurance under the aegis of MCA (Mumbai Cricket Association) and to be played at the National CC ground, Cross Maidan on Tuesday.

In the other match of the same group, Bank of Maharashtra meet Automotive Manufacturing. In Group-B matches, Mumbai Police CC face off against Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd and Reserve Bank of India take on Dharamji Morarji CC at the Sunder CC ground, Cross Maidan.

Meanwhile, 12 teams will be participating in the Plate Category tournament specially organized for junior Mumbai players. “In the Elite Category only players employed with the particular office will be eligible to represent their respective teams. The main intention of organizing the Plate Category is to motivate office clubs to provide a platform to young talented players of Mumbai. The offices have the liberty to select upcoming talented players, either through scholarships or on a contractual basis to represent their respective office teams,” explained Jitendra Ingle, Joint Secretary of Oriental Insurance Sports Club and Chairman of MCA Office Clubs Sub-Committee.

In the Elite Category 8 teams have been drawn into two groups of 4 teams each and the initial rounds will be played on a league basis. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals and the winners will clash for the title. In the Plate Category the 12 teams have been divided into 3 groups and the initial rounds will also be played on a league basis. The top team from each group and the second-best team from the three groups will contest the semi-finals and the winning teams will play in the final.

All the Matches will be played as per the New Model Rules of the Mumbai Cricket Association.

The teams:

Elite Category – Group-A: Bank of Maharashtra, Automotive Manufacturing, New India Assurance, Oriental Insurance.

Group-B: Mumbai Police Gymkhana, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited, Reserve Bank of India, Dharamji Morarji CC.

Plate Category – Group-A: GIC, LIC, Canara Bank, BEST.

Group-B: Times of India, MTNL, Mazagon Docks, Air India.

Group-C: PF, Mumbai Port Trust, Larsen & Tubro, Abhyudaya Bank..