Tag: Cricket

Sports

Neha Tanwar Builds a Fearless Goa Unit Ahead of Senior Women’s One Day Trophy 2026

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Sports Desk

With the Senior Women’s One Day Trophy scheduled from February 6 to February 28, 2026, Goa’s senior women’s cricket team is entering a demanding domestic season with renewed focus and belief. Under the guidance of head coach Neha Tanwar, the squad is preparing to compete against some of the strongest teams in Indian women’s cricket, including Delhi, Railways, Kerala and Punjab, with all matches set to be played in Ranchi.

Appointed in August 2025, Tanwar brings international and domestic playing experience into her coaching philosophy, which is rooted in preparation, process and mental strength. Since taking charge, she has been encouraged by the discipline, eagerness and raw potential within the Goa squad, noting a healthy mix of youth and experience.

The team’s preparation has followed a structured and process-driven approach, focusing on skill enhancement, fitness, match simulations and scenario-based training. Equal importance has been given to mental conditioning and role clarity, ensuring players are better equipped to handle pressure situations during matches.

According to Tanwar, while Goa’s players are technically capable, the key areas for growth lie in match awareness, consistency and decision-making under pressure. These aspects, she believes, are essential for translating skill into match-winning performances at the national level.

Looking ahead, her immediate goal is to build a fearless and competitive unit that can challenge stronger teams while also identifying players who can form the core of Goa’s women’s team in the years to come. She emphasizes that fitness, discipline and mental resilience are now non-negotiable at the senior level of women’s cricket.

Tanwar has also observed positive developments in women’s cricket in Goa, citing increased participation, better infrastructure and structured pathways as encouraging signs for the future. She credits the Goa Cricket Association for its consistent support, improved facilities and commitment to women’s cricket development.

The recent success of the Indian women’s team on the world stage has further inspired Goa’s players, reinforcing the belief that dreams are achievable regardless of background or geography. As the team prepares to step onto the national stage, Tanwar’s message to aspiring cricketers remains simple yet powerful — believe in yourself, stay disciplined, trust the process and never fear failure.

Sports

Legal Titans Stay in Semifinal Race; United Brothers Extend Winning Streak in Advocates Cricket League

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Sports Desk

Legal Titans and United Brothers produced impressive performances in Sunday’s Advocates Cricket League 2025–26 T20 matches at the Chicalim ground, Vasco, keeping fans engaged with competitive cricket. United Brothers continued their dominant run by registering their fourth consecutive victory, while Legal Titans stayed alive in the race for the semifinals with a convincing win.

In the opening encounter, Lotlikar Lions set a challenging total of 167 for 8 in their 20 overs. Venkatesh Rathod led the charge with a powerful 79 off 40 balls, striking seven fours and four sixes, while Prashant Borkar added a steady 45. Legal Titans responded strongly with the ball, as Satchit Mauskar delivered a standout spell to claim four wickets, well supported by Jeevan Divkar who picked up two.

Chasing the target, Legal Titans made light work of the chase, racing to 168 for 4 in just 15 overs. Pravin Gawas played a blistering knock of 68 from 37 balls, smashing six fours and five sixes, while Satyam Ghogale contributed a solid 37 to seal a morale-boosting victory and keep their semifinal hopes intact.

In the second match, United Brothers were bowled out for 134 in 17.3 overs, with Rahul Shet, Dattaraj Gawas and Dattaraj Parab providing key contributions. Risers’ bowlers Dattaraj Arondekar and Sandeep Naik picked up three wickets apiece to restrict the total.

However, Risers failed to capitalise on the modest target and were dismissed for 106 in 18.1 overs. Raghu Parab starred with the ball for United Brothers, claiming four wickets, while Dattaraj Parab added two more to complete a comfortable win.

With these results, United Brothers moved to the top of the table with eight points from four matches, pushing 18 Juners to second place. Legal Titans remain firmly in contention and are set to face the unbeaten United Brothers next, a clash that could prove decisive in shaping the semifinal line-up of the tournament.

Sports

MCC Thunder Storm into MCL 11 T20 Final After Gritty Win Over MCC Knights

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Sports Desk

MCC Thunder booked their place in the final of the MCL 11 T20 cricket tournament with a hard-fought 14-run victory over MCC Knights in the second qualifier, played at the MCC Ground in Margao. The win sets up an exciting title clash against MCC Tigers, scheduled for Sunday, and capped off a closely contested encounter that kept spectators engaged till the final over.

Batting first, MCC Thunder put up a competitive total of 169 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs. Om Fadte anchored the innings with a composed knock of 38, while Dr. Rohan Badve contributed a vital 37 and Roshan Naik added a quick 28 to bolster the middle order. The Thunder batters showed intent and resilience, ensuring a challenging target despite disciplined bowling from MCC Knights, with Siddharth Ghanekar emerging as the pick of the bowlers with figures of 2 for 25.

In response, MCC Knights mounted a spirited chase and remained in contention for much of the innings, eventually finishing on 155 for 7 in 20 overs. Sairaj Dhond top-scored with 27, while Smit Dalvi’s 26 and Pranav Biche’s 21 kept the scoreboard ticking. However, MCC Thunder’s bowlers maintained pressure at crucial moments, preventing the Knights from gaining momentum in the final overs.

Dr. Rohan Badve delivered an outstanding all-round performance, following up his batting effort with impressive bowling figures of 2 for 21. He received excellent support from Sudhir Shet, who claimed 2 for 15, and Sudesh Rane with 2 for 25, as Thunder’s disciplined attack restricted the scoring and sealed the victory. Paul Fernandes also chipped in with a wicket, conceding 27 runs.

For his impactful contributions with both bat and ball, Dr. Rohan Badve was adjudged Man of the Match, with the award presented by Mandar Parodkar. With this win, MCC Thunder advance confidently into the final of the MCL 11 T20 tournament, promising an exciting showdown against MCC Tigers as the competition reaches its climax.

Sports

Prestige XI March into Manorva Cup 2025 Final with Commanding Semi-Final Win

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Sports Desk

Prestige XI stormed into the Final of the Manorva Cup 2025 with a commanding 59-run victory over MWA Mencurem in the semi-final of the 21st Manorva Trophy, the All Goa Panchayat Level Leather Ball T-20 Cricket Tournament, played at the Chapora Ground, Anjuna–Vagator.

Batting first, Prestige XI posted a competitive total of 162 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs. The innings was anchored by a superb knock from Tushar Pednekar, who was later adjudged Man of the Match for his fluent 78 off 44 deliveries. Sahil Warang provided valuable support with a quick 17 runs, helping Prestige XI maintain momentum during the middle and death overs.

In reply, MWA Mencurem struggled to cope with Prestige XI’s disciplined bowling attack and were bowled out for 103. Sahil Warang starred with the ball, delivering a match-winning spell of 4 wickets for 28 runs in his four overs. The bowling unit applied sustained pressure throughout the innings, never allowing MWA Mencurem to settle in their chase.

Prestige XI secured a place in the Manorva Cup 2025 Final with a commanding all-round performance, set for 4th January 2026 at the same venue. Man of the Match Tushar Pednekar starred in the semi-final of the 21st Manorva Trophy, organised by the Manorva Sports & Cultural Club, Shapora, under the Goa Cricket Association.

The tournament has featured 20 teams from across Goa competing in a knockout format, showcasing competitive leather-ball cricket at the grassroots level. All matches have been hosted at the Chapora Ground, which has witnessed enthusiastic crowds and high-quality cricket throughout the competition.

As the tournament nears its conclusion, the Manorva Trophy continues to reinforce its status as one of Goa’s most competitive and well-organised panchayat-level cricket tournaments, with the final expected to draw significant interest from local cricket fans and supporters.

Sports

Lalit Yadav’s Century, Deepraj Gaonkar’s All-Round Show Power Goa Past Himachal

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Sports Desk

Goa registered their second consecutive victory in the Vijay Hazare Trophy Elite tournament with a hard-fought 8-run win over Himachal Pradesh at the Jaipuria Vidyalaya Ground in Jaipur. The match showcased a fine blend of composure and aggression, highlighted by Lalit Yadav’s century and captain Deepraj Gaonkar’s impactful all-round display.

Batting first after Himachal Pradesh opted to bowl, Goa found themselves in early trouble as their top order collapsed to 33 for 3 within the first ten overs. Lalit Yadav and Suyash Prabhudesai then steadied the innings with a vital 90-run partnership, bringing calm to the Goa dressing room. Suyash played a responsible knock of 51 off 63 balls, striking five boundaries before falling at a crucial stage.

Goa slipped again after the quick dismissal of Darshan Misal, but skipper Deepraj Gaonkar turned the momentum with a counter-attacking innings. Batting at number seven, he smashed 71 runs off just 48 balls, finding the boundary regularly and lifting the run rate in the latter half of the innings. At the other end, Lalit Yadav anchored the innings with a composed century, scoring 104 off 126 deliveries. A late cameo from Rajashekhar Harikant helped Goa reach a competitive total of 285 for 9.

Chasing 286, Himachal Pradesh began steadily with a 58-run opening stand, but Goa struck back quickly to reduce them to 60 for 3. The dismissal of captain Mridul Suroch soon after left Himachal struggling. Pukhraj Mann then mounted a remarkable fightback, playing a lone hand of 126 off 119 balls, keeping the chase alive with controlled aggression.

Just as Himachal threatened to snatch the game, Deepraj Gaonkar delivered with the ball, dismissing Mann in the 46th over to complete a five-wicket haul. Despite some resistance from the lower order, Himachal Pradesh were bowled out for 277 in 49.3 overs, falling agonisingly short.

The victory underlined Goa’s growing confidence in the tournament, with contributions coming from key players at crucial moments. Goa will next face Sikkim on December 29, aiming to extend their winning streak.