Tag: Cricket

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Goa Enter Knockouts After Resolute Stand Against Bengal

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Sports Desk

Goa entered the knockout stage of the Cooch Behar Trophy Elite cricket tournament after holding Bengal to a hard-fought draw on Thursday, extending their unbeaten run in Group ‘D’. With three wins and one draw from four matches, Goa now stand at an impressive 23 points, securing qualification with one league match still remaining. The match, played at the Bengal Cricket Academy Ground in Kalyani, showcased Goa’s discipline, determination, and ability to stand strong against one of the tournament’s toughest sides.

Bengal declared their second innings at 255 for 9 in 43 overs, setting Goa a challenging target of 229 runs. With the pitch favouring the bowlers and time running out, Goa approached the chase with caution and composure. They finished at 126 for 6 in 74.5 overs, ensuring the match ended in a draw and earning a valuable three points. Bengal settled for one.

Resuming from their overnight score of 185 for 4, Bengal added 70 runs in 12 overs but lost five wickets in the process. Goa’s bowlers delivered a disciplined performance, with Chigurupati Venkata leading the attack by taking 3 wickets for 58 runs. Shiven Borker supported well with figures of 2 for 52, while Mihir Kudalkar claimed a wicket. Bengal also suffered three run-outs, which helped Goa tighten their grip at crucial moments.

In Goa’s second innings, skipper Yash Kasvankar anchored the batting with a fighting 43 off 98 balls, hitting six boundaries in an innings defined by patience and responsibility. Opener Sarthak Bhike contributed a determined 30 off 130 balls, blunting Bengal’s attack and consuming valuable time. Shantanu Nevagi and Dishank Misquin played important supporting roles despite low scores, holding their wickets when the team needed stability the most. Aradhya Goyal remained unbeaten on 11 off 57 balls, while Mihir Kudalkar and Sai Naik ensured Goa did not crumble under pressure in the final session. For Bengal, Rohit Das and Rohit took two wickets each.

Earlier in the match, Bengal had posted 325 in 100.1 overs in their first innings. Goa responded strongly with 352 in 113.3 overs, gaining an important 27-run lead that played a crucial role in the final outcome. With momentum on their side and confidence running high, Goa now prepare for their final Group D match against Chandigarh on December 16.

The draw against Bengal reflects Goa’s growing maturity, depth, and resilience as a team. Their qualification for the knockouts highlights their consistent performances throughout the tournament and sets the stage for an exciting next phase as they chase greater glory.

Sports

Mohit Sharma Announces Retirement from All Forms of Cricket

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Fast bowler Mohit Sharma, known for his sharp variations and death-over mastery, announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on Wednesday, 3 December. The 37-year-old, who last appeared in the Indian Premier League 2025 season for Delhi Capitals, shared the news through an emotional Instagram post, closing a chapter that spanned more than a decade of professional cricket.

Mohit represented India in 26 ODIs and 8 T20Is between 2013 and 2015, forming a reliable seam option during his peak years. He earned widespread recognition for his ability to deliver under pressure, particularly in the death overs — a skill that defined the latter part of his T20 career.

“Today, with a full heart, I announce my retirement from all formats of cricket,” Mohit wrote. “From representing Haryana to wearing the India jersey and playing in the IPL, this journey has been nothing short of a blessing.”

Ahead of the IPL 2026 mini-auction scheduled for December 15 in Abu Dhabi, Delhi Capitals released the seasoned pacer. In the previous season, Mohit featured in eight games, picking up two wickets at an economy rate of 10.28 — an uncharacteristic dip in form in an otherwise impressive late-career flourish.

Mohit’s journey included standout years with Chennai Super Kings, where he emerged as a consistent wicket-taker and grew into a dependable T20 bowler. His story remains one of grit, reinvention and resilience — a cricketer who made the most of every opportunity and left a notable imprint on India’s limited-overs cricket.

Sports

Hyderabad Clinches Convincing Win Over Goa in Under-23 Women’s T20 Trophy

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Sports Desk

In an exciting clash of the Under-23 Women’s T20 Trophy Elite tournament, Hyderabad overpowered Goa by 7 wickets on Monday. The match, played at the Lady Amritbai Daga College Ground in Nagpur, saw Goa post a total of 110 for 6 in their innings. Key contributions from Harshita Yadav (16), Urvashi (21), Tanisha Gaikwad (33), Usma Khan (12), and Athashree Shivarakar (18) helped Goa reach a competitive total, though Hyderabad bowlers Srivalli and Trisha managed to make early breakthroughs by claiming one wicket each.

Chasing 111, Hyderabad paced their innings smartly, finishing at 114 for 3 in 17.5 overs. Skipper Mamata played a captain’s knock, remaining unbeaten on 38, while Akshaya Reddy (28) and Trisha (22) added crucial runs to guide the chase. For Goa, Angel D’Costa and Tanaya Naik picked up a wicket each, but their efforts couldn’t prevent Hyderabad from securing a comfortable win.

With this victory, Hyderabad continued their strong showing in the tournament, while Goa concluded their campaign with 2 wins and 3 losses out of 5 matches, ending with 8 points and finishing fourth in Group D. The match highlighted Hyderabad’s depth in batting and Goa’s competitive spirit, promising more exciting encounters as the tournament progresses.

Sports

Glenn Maxwell Withdraws from IPL 2026 Auction, Ends a Memorable League Journey

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Sports Desk

Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has officially withdrawn from the IPL 2026 auction, bringing an emotional close to his long, colourful, and influential journey in the Indian Premier League. Known for his explosive batting, off-spin versatility, and electrifying fielding, Maxwell’s presence in the league has always been a major attraction. His announcement came through a heartfelt Instagram post, where he expressed deep gratitude to fans, teammates, and the franchises that believed in him over the years. In his message, Maxwell spoke about the IPL’s impact on his career and personal growth, calling his time in India unforgettable. He thanked supporters for their passion, acknowledging the league as a major factor in shaping him both as a player and as a person.

Maxwell’s decision follows a disappointing IPL 2025 season with Punjab Kings, who signed him for ₹4.20 crore. Despite his reputation as a dynamic match-winner, he managed only 48 runs in seven games, averaging 8 with a strike rate of 97.96. His contributions with the ball, picking up four wickets, offered some relief but did little to change the fortunes of his campaign. The season seemed far removed from his earlier heroics in the league, and his withdrawal from the 2026 auction signals a reflective pause in his T20 franchise journey.

His exit joins a growing list of top overseas players stepping away from IPL 2026. Former RCB captain Faf du Plessis opted out earlier, and West Indies powerhouse Andre Russell announced his retirement from the league after being released by Kolkata Knight Riders. Russell, however, will remain connected to the franchise by joining KKR’s support staff for the upcoming season. With Maxwell’s departure adding to this wave, the upcoming IPL season is set to mark the end of an era defined by some of the league’s most entertaining international performers.

Through his message, Maxwell reinforced his bond with Indian fans and left the door open for a future return. As the IPL prepares for its next phase, the absence of one of its most charismatic figures will undoubtedly be felt.

Sports

MCL 11: MCC Avengers and MCC Thunder Seal Dominant 6-Wicket Wins in Margao

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Sports Desk

The MCL 11 T20 cricket tournament continued to deliver exciting cricketing action at the MCC Ground in Margao, where MCC Avengers and MCC Thunder secured convincing victories in their respective matches. In the morning encounter, MCC Stallions posted 142 for 9 in 20 overs with contributions from Rueben Karekar, who scored 25, and Dr. Ankush Patil, who remained unbeaten on 35. The Avengers’ bowling attack was spearheaded by Amod Borkar with an impressive 3 for 20, while Venkatesh Nevagi matched the effort with 3 for 24.

Gopal Gawas and Siddhant Amonkar added crucial breakthroughs as well. Chasing the target, MCC Avengers displayed excellent control and aggression. Venkatesh Nevagi continued his all-round brilliance with a solid 36-run knock, supported by Amod Borkar who added 39 and Vedant Naik who contributed 37. The Avengers reached 143 for 4 in just 15.2 overs, sealing a comfortable 6-wicket win. Nevagi’s impactful performance with both bat and ball earned him the Man of the Match award.

The afternoon match witnessed MCC Tigers setting a target of 141 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs. Key contributions came from Shailu with 29, Vaibhav Naik with 35, and Ketan Kunde with 27. MCC Thunder’s disciplined bowling effort was highlighted by Sudesh Rane’s excellent 3 for 19, while Nikhil Bhoomkar and Roshan Naik chipped in with economical spells.

In response, MCC Thunder executed a composed chase, finishing at 143 for 4 in 18.1 overs. Sahil Adwalpalkar made 29, while Roshan Naik played a crucial innings of 39 runs. Ved Mahambre anchored the chase with an unbeaten 31. The Tigers’ bowlers, including Balkrishna Hodarkar, Jamir, Mrunmay Das and Sanat Kamat, picked up a wicket each but couldn’t prevent the inevitable. Roshan Naik’s valuable all-round contribution earned him the Man of the Match title.

The day closed with both MCC Avengers and MCC Thunder strengthening their campaign with authoritative wins, showcasing depth, discipline and strong individual performances in the ongoing MCL 11 tournament.