Sports

Late Surge and Disciplined Bowling Power Rajasthan Lions Past Dubai Royals


Written by Intern Swara Bodke || Team Allycaral

Goa | January 29, 2026
Rajasthan Lions produced a strong all-round performance, combining a crucial late batting surge with disciplined bowling, to defeat Dubai Royals by 16 runs in Match 6 of the World Legends Pro T20 League in Goa on Thursday.
Asked to bat first, the Lions were rocked early as Eoin Morgan and Callum Ferguson were dismissed cheaply, leaving the side struggling at 23/2 inside the first four overs. The early setbacks, however, were steadied by a composed partnership between Naman Ojha and Suresh Raina.
Ojha played the aggressor’s role, counter-attacking with a fluent half-century off around 30 balls, while Raina anchored the innings from the other end. At the halfway mark, Rajasthan were 79/2, well-placed but yet to fully capitalise on the platform.
Raina briefly increased the tempo before departing for 30, triggering a middle-order wobble. JP Duminy was dismissed for a golden duck, as Rishi Dhawan struck twice in two deliveries to reduce Rajasthan to 95/4.
Dubai Royals then threatened to seize complete control through Piyush Chawla, who produced a sensational spell that included the first hat-trick of the World Legends Pro T20 League. His burst ripped through the Rajasthan middle order and put the Lions under significant pressure.
Despite the collapse, Rajasthan recovered through a late flourish from Jesal Karia and Bipul Sharma. Karia struck a brisk 31 off 18 balls, while Sharma added a valuable 22 off 13 deliveries, helping the Lions post a competitive total of 170/9.
Defending the target, Rajasthan Lions delivered a commanding bowling performance, led by Karia and Sharma, who shared five wickets between them. The duo ensured that Dubai Royals were never able to build sustained partnerships during the chase.
Kirk Edwards top-scored for the Royals with 46, while Samit Patel chipped in with a quick 30, but regular wickets stalled their progress. Dubai Royals were eventually bowled out for 154 in 19.1 overs, falling 16 runs short of the target.
Match Result:
Rajasthan Lions won by 16 runs

Brief Scores:

Rajasthan Lions – 170/9

Naman Ojha 66 (43)

Jesal Karia 31 (18)

Piyush Chawla 3/29 (4 overs)

Samit Patel 2/33 (4 overs)

Dubai Royals – 154/10 (19.1 overs)

Kirk Edwards 46 (38)

Samit Patel 30 (17)

Jesal Karia 3/21 (3.1 overs)

Bipul Sharma 3/28 (4 overs)

Sports

Baale Tigers, Sherwin Shaw Falcons Register Convincing Wins in PGML 5.0


Written by Alisha Fernandes || Allycaral

Panaji: Baale Tigers and Sherwin Shaw Falcons continued their strong run in the ongoing PGML 5.0 tournament with impressive victories in their respective league encounters at the Panjim Gymkhana ground.

In the morning match, Priority Titans won the toss and opted to bat first but were restricted to 138 for 8 in their 20 overs by a disciplined Baale Tigers bowling unit. Atharva Kumar fought hard with a well-made 53, supported by Yeshwant Barde’s 24. However, the Titans struggled to build momentum as Harshal Shah and Prasad Patil wreaked havoc, claiming three wickets each to keep the scoring in check.

In reply, Baale Tigers displayed calm and confidence during the chase. Openers Sandip Dahad (49) and Dishan Pujari (34) laid a solid foundation. The innings was then expertly steered home by Prasad Patil (21 not out) and Rajaram Kundaikar (28 not out), as Baale Tigers reached the target in 19.2 overs to seal a comfortable six-wicket victory.

The afternoon fixture saw Sun Estate Warriors post a competitive 155 for 8 after electing to bat first. Harsh Jethaji top-scored with 32, while Rohit Rane added 31. Sherwin Shaw Falcons’ bowlers kept the pressure on throughout, with Tunish Sawkar claiming three wickets and Iftikhar Agha picking up two crucial scalps.

Chasing the target, Sherwin Shaw Falcons came out with intent. Prajyot Rivonker anchored the innings with a solid 41, while Gourav Desai chipped in with a brisk 34. The turning point came in the form of Tunish Sawkar’s explosive cameo of 40 off just 16 balls, which powered the Falcons to 156 for 5 in just 16.4 overs. His all-round brilliance earned him the Player of the Match award as Sherwin Shaw Falcons cruised to a five-wicket win.

With these victories, both Baale Tigers and Sherwin Shaw Falcons strengthened their positions on the PGML 5.0 points table, setting up an exciting phase ahead in the tournament.

Sports

Snehal Kauthankar Named Captain of Goa Senior Men’s Team for Ranji Trophy Clash Against Kerala


Written by Intern Rency Gomes ||Team Allycaral 

Panaji, January 2026: Snehal Kauthankar has been appointed captain of the Goa senior men’s cricket team for their upcoming Ranji Trophy 2025–26 fixture against Kerala. The four-day match will be played at the GCA Porvorim Ground from January 29 to February 1, 2026.


The home encounter forms part of India’s premier domestic red-ball tournament and will see Goa take on a strong Kerala side. The selection committee has announced a balanced squad that blends experienced players with promising young talent, as the team looks to put up a competitive performance on familiar conditions.

The squad includes established names such as Suyash Prabhudessai, Lalit Yadav, Shubham Tari, Darshan Misal and Arjun Tendulkar, alongside emerging players who will be eager to make an impact at the highest domestic level.

The Goa Cricket Association has extended its best wishes to the team ahead of the crucial Ranji Trophy encounter, expressing confidence in the leadership group and the squad’s ability to deliver a strong showing.

Sports

GSB Unity Cup 3.0 Opens in Grand Fashion at Margao, Reinforcing Community Unity Through Cricket


Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

Margao: The GSB Unity Cup 3.0, organised by the Goa GSB Sports and Charitable Trust at the MCC ground, Margao, got off to a grand start on Wednesday with a floodlit opening match between Priority Titans and Shamrao Tridents.


The inaugural ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, who highlighted the role of the tournament in strengthening unity, sportsmanship and sporting culture within the community.

Speaking on the occasion, Trust president Sidhit Raiturkar said the organisers were delighted to host the tournament. He added that the Trust plans to establish a sports academy and a community centre in the future to further bring the community together.

Margao Cricket Club president Raghuvir Kunkolienkar wished all participating teams the very best and expressed hope that the spirit of unity would continue to grow stronger through cricket. Chirag Datta Naik, Managing Director of Commonwealth Developers, also extended his best wishes to the players and organisers.

Dr Sagar Salgaoncar, Managing Director of GENO Pharmaceuticals, congratulated the organising team and said he has closely witnessed the growth of GSB sports over the years. He described it as a pleasure to be part of the event and lauded the Goa GSB Sports and Charitable Trust for its sustained efforts.

Guest of honour Rohan Ramesh Kamat, Director of Kamat Realty, said sports teaches camaraderie and teamwork, noting that while one team wins and another loses, giving one’s best on the field is what truly matters.

Akash N. N. Khaunte, Director of ALCON – Anil Counto Enterprises, said the tournament was being organised for the third consecutive year and expressed happiness at being associated with the initiative. He added that the community should emerge as the real winner of the tournament.

In the opening match, Priority Titans defeated Shamrao Tridents by 15 runs. Batting first, Priority Titans posted a competitive total of 169 for 7 in 20 overs. Captain Yash Prabhugaonkar led from the front with a blistering 50 off just 19 balls, including four fours and four sixes.

For Shamrao Tridents, captain Siddharth Ghanekar and Anish Kakode claimed two wickets each, conceding 21 runs apiece.

Chasing the target, Shamrao Tridents managed 154 for 7 in their 20 overs, falling short by 15 runs. Nityay Kunkolienkar top-scored with a fighting 46 off 35 balls. Animesh Prabhu starred for Priority Titans with an impressive all-round performance, scoring 32 runs and taking three wickets to seal the opening win.

The GSB Unity Cup 3.0 has not only set the tone for an exciting cricket tournament but has also reinforced the message of unity and togetherness through sport.

Sports

World Legends Pro T20 League Announces Squads, Captains, Fixtures for Inaugural Season in Goa


Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

Goa, January 21, 2026: The World Legends Pro T20 League (WLPT20) has officially announced the six franchises, team captains, final squads, and the complete fixture schedule for its inaugural season. The tournament will be held at the 1919 Sportz Cricket Stadium, Goa, from 26 January to 4 February 2026, featuring 18 matches including a league stage, two semi-finals, and a grand finale.


The six franchises—Rajasthan Kings, Delhi Warriors, Pune Panthers, Dubai Royals, Gurugram Thunders, and Maharashtra Tycoons—will feature 90 legendary cricketers from around the world, blending iconic international stars with top Indian domestic talent.

The league will kick off with a grand opening ceremony on 25 January, featuring a live performance by Sunidhi Chauhan, setting the stage for a cricketing and entertainment extravaganza.

“Seeing these squads and captains come together is incredibly exciting. Each team is well-balanced, blending legendary experience with T20 flair, and fans are in for a real spectacle—high-octane matches, unforgettable moments, and a chance to see some of the greatest players in cricket history light up the field once again,” said League Commissioner Michael Clarke.

“This league is built on a model where management and owners focus on creating long-term, sustainable value together. For the first time in years, Goa will host a major cricketing extravaganza, and we’re excited to bring world-class cricket to the city,” added Mahesh Bhupathi, CEO of SGSE.


Team Squads & Captains – WLPT20 2026
Rajasthan Kings – Captain: Eoin Morgan
Ben Cutting, Elton Chigumbura, Naman Ojha, Callum Ferguson, Angelo Perera, JP Duminy, Suresh Raina, Bipul Sharma, Pinal Shah, Jaykishan Kolsawala, Abhimanyu Mithun, Anureet Singh, Jesal Karia, Shadab Jakati

Delhi Warriors – Captain: Harbhajan Singh
Seekkugge Prasanna, Chadwick Walton, Imran Tahir, Colin Ingram, Irfan Pathan, Isuru Udana, Shahbaz Nadeem, Chirag Gandhi, Shreevats Goswami, Gurkeerat Singh Mann, Rahul Shukla, Diwesh Pathania, Suboth Bhati, Ravi Jangid

Pune Panthers – Captain: Kieron Pollard
Samiullah Shinwari, Upul Tharanga, Amit Mishra, Shane Watson, Dwayne Bravo, Martin Guptill, Robin Uthappa, Kamil Leverock, Rahul Yadav, Asad Pathan, Ankit Rajpoot, Faiz Fazal, Priyank Panchal, Ishwar Pandey

Dubai Royals – Captain: Shikhar Dhawan
Samit Patel, Piyush Chawla, Christopher Mpofu, Fidel Edwards, Danushka Gunathilaka, Ambati Rayudu, Yusuf Pathan, Parvez Rasool, Gitansh Khera, Abhishek Raut, Peter Trego, Monu Kumar, Amit Verma, Kirk Edwards

Gurugram Thunders – Captain: Thisara Perera
Phil Mustard, Ross Taylor, Cheteshwar Pujara, Colin de Grandhomme, S Sreesanth, Stuart Broad, Rayad Emrit, Jermaine Blackwood, Amitoze Singh, Sheldon Jackson, Akshay Wakhare, Malinda Pushpakumara, Saurin Thakar, Pawan Negi

Maharashtra Tycoons – Captain: Dinesh Karthik
Carlos Brathwaite, Dale Steyn, Chris Gayle, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Stuart Binny, Peter Siddle, Shaun Marsh, Rahul Sharma, Pawan Suyal, Praveen Gupta, Baltej Singh, Manvinder Bisla, Siddarth Kaul


League Format
Each team plays five league-stage matches

Points awarded based on match results

Top four teams advance to the playoffs

Semi-finals: 3 February 2026

Grand Final: 4 February 2026

All matches at a single venue to ensure uniform playing conditions

Fixtures – WLPT20 2026

26 Jan: Delhi Warriors vs Dubai Royals, 7:30 PM
27 Jan: Pune Panthers vs Gurugram Thunders, 2:30 PM
27 Jan: Rajasthan Kings vs Maharashtra Tycoons, 7:30 PM
28 Jan: Dubai Royals vs Gurugram Thunders, 2:30 PM
28 Jan: Delhi Warriors vs Pune Panthers, 7:30 PM
29 Jan: Rajasthan Kings vs Dubai Royals, 2:30 PM
29 Jan: Gurugram Thunders vs Maharashtra Tycoons, 7:30 PM
30 Jan: Maharashtra Tycoons vs Delhi Warriors, 2:30 PM
30 Jan: Pune Panthers vs Rajasthan Kings, 7:30 PM
31 Jan: Gurugram Thunders vs Rajasthan Kings, 2:30 PM
31 Jan: Dubai Royals vs Pune Panthers, 7:30 PM
1 Feb: Pune Panthers vs Maharashtra Tycoons, 2:30 PM
1 Feb: Delhi Warriors vs Gurugram Thunders, 7:30 PM
2 Feb: Rajasthan Kings vs Delhi Warriors, 2:30 PM
2 Feb: Maharashtra Tycoons vs Dubai Royals, 7:30 PM
3 Feb: Semi-Final 1, 2:30 PM
3 Feb: Semi-Final 2, 7:30 PM
4 Feb: Grand Final, 7:30 PM