Tag: Goa Cricket

Sports

Desserts N More Avengers, RC Goa Register Thrilling Wins in PGML 5.0

Tanisha Cardozo

Spectators at the Panaji Gymkhana ground were treated to two closely fought league encounters on Saturday in the ongoing PGML 5.0 tournament, with Desserts N More Avengers and RC Goa emerging victorious in nail-biting finishes.

In the morning match, Sun Estate Warriors won the toss and elected to bat but were restricted to 125 for 9 in their 20 overs. Mehank Dharwadkar stood firm with an unbeaten 48, while opener Devidas Kholkar chipped in with 31. Despite a steady start, regular wickets in the middle order curtailed the Warriors’ progress. Madar Basappa was the pick of the bowlers for Desserts N More Avengers, finishing with two wickets, while Ojas, Amod Borkar, Vikas Shetty and Muktiar Kadri claimed one wicket each.

Chasing 126, Desserts N More Avengers paced their innings carefully to reach 129 for 6 in 19.1 overs. Amod Borkar anchored the chase with a composed 50 off 42 deliveries. In the closing stages, Smit Dalvi and Suraj Hirani remained unbeaten to guide their side to a four-wicket win. Dhilan Shah was the standout bowler for Sun Estate Warriors with two wickets, while Rohit Rane picked up one.

The afternoon fixture saw Manas Mavericks post 128 for 7 in their allotted 20 overs after opting to bat. Ajinkya Kudtarkar top-scored with 38, supported by Avishkar Mone’s 21 and an unbeaten 18 from Raj Morajkar. RC Goa’s bowling attack shared the spoils, with Kushnab Ghai and Ramnath Gaonkar claiming two wickets each, while Aryan Mashelkar, Gauresh Khandeparkar and Vardhan Prabhu Misquin contributed with one wicket apiece.

RC Goa responded positively in their chase, reaching 134 for 7 in 19.3 overs to seal a three-wicket victory. Ramnath Gaonkar played a steady innings of 41, with valuable contributions from Aryan Mashelkar (21) and Paras Naik (20). The match swung decisively in the final overs as Gauresh Khandeparkar smashed a quick 18 off just five balls, remaining unbeaten alongside Dattesh Priolkar to take RC Goa home. For Manas Mavericks, Avishkar Mone and Om Fadte picked up two wickets each, while Ajinkya Kudtarkar claimed one.

With both matches delivering tense finishes, PGML 5.0 continues to live up to its reputation as one of Goa’s most competitive and entertaining local cricket tournaments.

Sports

A Majestic Morgan Masterclass Powers Rajasthan Lions Past Gurugram Thunders

Tanisha Cardozo

Rajasthan Lions continued their impressive run in the World Legends Pro T20 League with a commanding 27-run victory over Gurugram Thunders in Goa, led by a magnificent batting masterclass from Eoin Morgan. With the race for the semi-finals intensifying, both teams fielded formidable line-ups featuring some of the biggest names in world cricket, setting the stage for a blockbuster encounter.

After being put into bat, the Lions suffered an early setback when Sreesanth struck in the fourth over to dismiss Naman, showcasing sharp pace and disciplined line and length. However, what followed was a breathtaking exhibition of stroke play from Eoin Morgan. The stylish left-hander dominated the Thunders’ bowling attack, racing to a half-century off just 26 deliveries and effortlessly clearing the ropes with authority. Morgan’s innings came to an end at 78 off 38 balls, studded with six fours and six sixes, but by then he had firmly seized control of the contest, guiding Rajasthan to 116 for 2 by the 12th over.

The Lions capitalised on the strong platform, with valuable contributions from Callum Ferguson, Suresh Raina and Angelo Perera providing late impetus. Ferguson’s quick 39 off 24, Raina’s explosive 27 off just 12 balls, and Perera’s composed 42 off 36 helped Rajasthan Lions surge to a daunting total of 208 for 4 in their allotted 20 overs.

Chasing a stiff target, Gurugram Thunders attempted to keep pace with the required rate, but the regular fall of wickets dented their momentum. Despite spirited efforts from Chirag Gandhi, who struck a rapid 54 off 27 balls, and late resistance from Colin de Grandhomme and Ross Taylor, the asking rate continued to climb steeply. With wickets tumbling and pressure mounting, the Thunders eventually finished on 181 for 7, falling short by 27 runs.

The Lions’ bowlers played a crucial role in defending the total, with Shadab Jakati and JP Duminy picking up two wickets each to ensure the Thunders never truly threatened the target. The victory lifted Rajasthan Lions to second place on the points table with three wins from four matches, firmly placing them among the frontrunners for a semi-final berth, while Gurugram Thunders remain in fourth position with one win from four outings.

With momentum firmly on their side, Rajasthan Lions will look to carry this winning form forward as the World Legends Pro T20 League continues to deliver high-octane cricket and nostalgic brilliance in Goa.

Sports

Sheldon Jackson Guides Delhi Warriors to Unbeaten Run with Four-Wicket Win Over Gurugram Thunders

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Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

A composed half-century from Sheldon Jackson helped table-toppers Delhi Warriors successfully chase 173 against Gurugram Thunders at the 1919 Sportz Stadium in Verna, extending their unbeaten run and ending Gurugram’s semi-final hopes.


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Goa, 1 February 2026: A packed Sunday evening at the 1919 Sportz Stadium in Verna saw Gurugram Thunders take on table-toppers Delhi Warriors in a must-win encounter for their tournament survival. Despite a competitive total and a disciplined bowling effort, Gurugram fell short as Delhi Warriors completed a four-wicket win to continue their unbeaten run and maintain their position at the top of the points table.

Batting first, Gurugram Thunders posted 172 for 6, anchored by a solid opening partnership between Jermaine Blackwood and Cheteshwar Pujara. The pair added 82 runs for the first wicket, with Blackwood scoring 51 off 30 balls and Pujara contributing a steady 58 from 43 deliveries. After the dismissal of both openers, wickets fell at regular intervals, slowing the scoring rate. However, Gurugram managed to recover in the latter stages to post a competitive total.

Delhi Warriors’ chase got off to a cautious start as Gurugram’s bowlers kept things tight. Stuart Broad set the tone during the powerplay, claiming two wickets in his three overs as Delhi were restricted to just 33 runs in the first six overs. The pressure told as wickets continued to fall, leaving Delhi in a tricky position midway through the innings.

Sheldon Jackson then stepped up with a calm and controlled knock, anchoring the chase under pressure. Jackson scored an unbeaten 59 off 38 balls, finding support from Pawan Negi earlier and Seekkuge Prasanna towards the end. Prasanna’s quick 36 off 14 balls ensured Delhi Warriors crossed the line in 18.5 overs with four wickets in hand.

The defeat marked Gurugram Thunders’ fourth loss in five matches, officially ending their chances of qualifying for the semi-finals.

Earlier in the day, Pune Panthers secured a narrow 12-run victory over Maharashtra Tycoons in a closely contested Maharashtra derby. The win lifted Pune Panthers to six points, confirming their place in the semi-finals.

Sports

Naman Ojha, Shadab Jakati Shine as Rajasthan Lions Seal Second League Win

Tanisha Cardozo

Rajasthan Lions continued their impressive run in the World Legends Pro T20 League by registering a comfortable six-wicket victory over Pune Panthers in the ninth match of the tournament at Goa on January 30, 2026. Chasing a modest target, the Lions showcased composure and experience, completing the chase in just 15.1 overs to secure two valuable points.

Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Pune Panthers struggled early despite opening with experienced campaigners Upul Tharanga and Martin Guptill. Guptill struck a couple of crisp boundaries before falling in the opening over, while Shane Watson departed soon after, leaving Pune reeling at 30 for 3. Rajasthan’s bowlers applied consistent pressure, making run-scoring difficult during the early stages.

A crucial 87-run partnership between Tharanga and Kieron Pollard revived Pune’s innings. Pollard, playing his first match of the tournament, looked in sublime touch, clearing the ropes with ease before being dismissed for 48. Tharanga narrowly missed his half-century, scoring 49, but once the pair departed, Pune lost momentum and wickets fell in quick succession. The Panthers were eventually bowled out for 144 in 18.2 overs, with Shadab Jakati starring with figures of 3 for 13 and support coming from every bowler.

Rajasthan Lions’ chase did not begin smoothly, as captain Eoin Morgan, Callum Ferguson and Suresh Raina fell cheaply. Amid the early setbacks, Naman Ojha once again proved his value, anchoring the innings with a well-crafted 51 off 28 deliveries. His calm presence steadied the chase and allowed Rajasthan to regain control.

After Ojha’s dismissal, JP Duminy ensured there were no further hiccups, combining with birthday boy Ben Cutting in a brisk partnership that sealed the game. Duminy remained unbeaten on 37, while Cutting struck the winning runs, wrapping up a comprehensive victory for the Lions.

The result further strengthens Rajasthan Lions’ position in the league standings and highlights their balanced combination of experienced batting and disciplined bowling as the tournament progresses.

Sports

Delhi Warriors Hold Nerve to Edge Maharashtra Tycoons in Low-Scoring Thriller

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Written by Intern Rency Gomes ||Team Allycaral 

Goa, January 30, 2026:
Match 8 of the World Legends Pro T20 League 2026 delivered a contest that rewarded patience and tactical awareness, as Delhi Warriors edged past Maharashtra Tycoons by three wickets in a tightly fought encounter.


Asked to bat first, Maharashtra Tycoons posted 161 for 5 on a surface that offered assistance to bowlers willing to maintain discipline. Openers Sir Alastair Cook and Chris Gayle began positively, with Cook striking early boundaries before falling for 10 off 11 balls.

Gayle then partnered Stuart Binny to steady the innings through the middle overs. While Gayle played a measured knock of 40 off 40 deliveries, Binny provided the impetus, scoring a fluent 63 off 31 balls to lift the Tycoons to a competitive total.

Defending 161, the Tycoons produced a probing bowling effort that placed Delhi under early pressure. Avaan Khan, Peter Siddle and Dale Steyn exploited the conditions effectively, with Steyn delivering an outstanding spell. The veteran pacer conceded just seven runs in his first three overs and claimed two wickets, leaving Delhi struggling at 41 for 3 at the end of the powerplay.

Delhi Warriors responded through a composed partnership between Sheldon Jackson and Irfan Pathan, who absorbed the pressure and rebuilt the innings. Sensing the shift in momentum, captain Carlos Brathwaite reintroduced Siddle, who struck immediately by clean-bowling Jackson, reducing Delhi to 107 for 5 in the 13th over. Brathwaite added another wicket soon after to keep the contest evenly poised.

With Pathan holding one end up and the required rate creeping higher, the Tycoons once again turned to Steyn for a breakthrough. Despite his continued economy, wickets proved hard to come by in the closing stages. Delhi kept their composure and crossed the line at 163 for 7 in 19.2 overs, sealing a narrow three-wicket victory and maintaining their unbeaten run in the tournament.