SRINAGAR: National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar scripted history by successfully defending its crown and winning a record fourth title in the All-India Inter-NIT Faculty & Staff Cricket Tournament (Men) 2026 after defeating NIT Puducherry by 88 runs in the grand finale.
The hosts delivered a dominant performance in the final, reaffirming their supremacy in Inter-NIT faculty and staff cricket.
Batting first after winning the toss, NIT Srinagar posted a challenging total of 187/4 in 20 overs. Wicketkeeper-batter Suhail Baba led the charge with a blistering unbeaten 64 off just 32 deliveries, hitting seven boundaries and three sixes.
Aaqib Sheikh continued his impressive run with a fluent 50 off 38 balls, while captain Faisal Irshad contributed a steady 29. Shahid Hamid remained unbeaten on 12 to help the hosts finish strongly.
For NIT Puducherry, Ismail M was the standout bowler with figures of 2/30, while Gowrishankar and Murugapandi S claimed one wicket each.
Chasing 188, NIT Puducherry struggled against NIT Srinagar’s disciplined bowling attack and were bowled out for 99 in 18.1 overs. Muthu was the top scorer with 41 runs, while Murugapandi S remained unbeaten on 16.
Dr Mohsin and Dr Majid Hussain starred with the ball for NIT Srinagar, claiming three wickets each, while Dr Shakeel Waseem picked up two wickets. Mudasir Qadir and Shahid Hamid also took one wicket each to seal a convincing victory.
Suhail Baba was declared Player of the Match for his match-winning knock and all-round contribution.
Aaqib Sheikh of NIT Srinagar was named Best Batsman and Man of the Series after finishing the tournament with 364 runs, including two centuries and a half-century. Ismail M of NIT Puducherry bagged the Best Bowler award with 11 wickets, while Akash Sharma of NIT Hamirpur was adjudged Best Fielder.
Congratulating the team, NIT Srinagar Director Prof Binod Kumar Kanaujia said the institute was proud to defend the championship and successfully host another edition of the national tournament.
He appreciated the players, organising committee, officials, volunteers and participating institutes, saying such events strengthen teamwork, sportsmanship and bonds among National Institutes of Technology.
The tournament report was presented by Observer Dr Prashant S Nagrale of VNIT Nagpur, who praised NIT Srinagar for its planning, hospitality and smooth conduct of the championship.
The valedictory ceremony was attended by Registrar Prof Atikur Rehman, Dean Faculty Welfare Prof Manzoor Ahmad Ahanger, SAS Officer Kowsar Ali Mir, faculty members, staff, organising committee members and representatives from participating institutes.
Meanwhile, NIT Hamirpur secured the third position after defeating NIT Jalandhar by 16 runs in the playoff match at the Physical Education College Ground, Ganderbal.
NIT Hamirpur scored 155/6 in 20 overs, powered by contributions from captain Surender Soni (39), Manish (36) and Vivek Tiwari (25). In response, NIT Jalandhar were restricted to 139/7 as Hamirpur’s bowlers produced a disciplined performance to claim third place.
